Forty original settlers arrived from Connecticut on February 8, 1769 and set up temporary cabins near the junction of the Lackawanna River and the Susquehanna River. One of the first settlers was Zebulon Marcy for which Marcy Township derived its name. Marcy Township was the original name of the area known as Duryea Borough. He built the first log cabin in 1770.

As more settlers located in the area, the development of mining caused the citizenry to petition for township status. Marcy Township was founded in 1880 with a population of 1,159. In 1902, Duryea Borough was incorporated. Doctor J. A. Burlington was elected as the first burgess, now known as mayor. Duryea Borough was named in honor of Hiram Duryea, a Civil War general and owner of extensive tracts of land. He was a prominent figure in the starch industry, a coal operator and an official of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. It was the practice of this railroad to name its section stops after officials of the line, hence the name Duryea.

Farming was the principal occupation in the earliest days. Shortly after, mining would become the area's greatest source of prosperity, along with silk mills and stone quarries.

Today, Duryea Borough has a population of about 4,634 residents and consists of about 15 miles of road. The borough is located in Luzerne County, 10 miles northeast of Wilkes-Barre and 2 miles north of Pittston. The borough successfully held its centennial celebration in the year 2001.

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