The name Nanticoke was derived from Nantego, the Indian tidewater people who moved here when their Maryland lands were spoiled for hunting by the Colonial settlement in 1608.

Nanticoke was incorporated as a village in 1830; Nanticoke was chartered by the Pennsylvania Legislature as a Borough on January 31, 1874.

Nanticoke experienced its greatest increase in population between 1917 and 1925 and qualified to become a Third Class City. The Citizens voted in the fall of 1924 to form City Government, and elections were held the following year. The new City Government consisted of a Mayor and four Councilman who took office in January 1926, which was the Official Date of becoming a Third Class City.

King Anthracite had attracted thousands. In 1880, the population was 3,884; mass immigration took place from 1880 and reached its peak in 1930 when the population of Nanticoke was 26,043. With the decline of coal as king the population dropped to 15,065 and continued to drop to its current population 10,955.

Nanticoke has played its part in the story of America; Nanticoke is a microcosm of the Nation because it, too, contained the many ethnic groups, which made America great. It, too, contained the ingredients of the melting pot.

Nanticoke is now basically residential with some light manufacturing development and retailing. It is also the site of the main campus of Luzerne County Community College. The residents of Nanticoke and elected Officials are working together toward the progressive revitalization of the City.

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