Wilkes-Barre, located in the historic Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, is the county seat of Luzerne County and the center of 30 contiguous munici- palities, which as Greater Wilkes-Barre, comprise the cultural, social and economic metropolis of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Fronting on the beautiful Susquehanna River, which flows through the Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre lies 552.5 feet above sea level. The Valley itself is a natural cup of some eleven and one-half square miles, rimmed by the slopes of the surrounding mountains.

Wilkes-Barre was settled in 1769 by colonists from New England under the leadership of Major John Durkee, and named after Colonel John Wilkes and Colonel Isaac Barr??, defenders of American colonies in British Parliament. It was incorporated as a Borough on March 17, 1806; as a city on May 4, 1871. The City adopted the Home Rule form of government on January 1, 1976 and is operating under this form today. It consists of a Mayor and seven (7) Members of Council.

Wilkes-Barre, which was long established as the Anthracite Capital of the World, has diversified its economy and now boasts a variety of industries.

The city has four high schools and two 4-year colleges, King’s College, and Wilkes University, with day and evening enrollment offering degrees in varied fields. Wilkes-Barre maintains a splendid public library within ready access to the Wyoming Geological and Historic Society museum.

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