Wilkes-Barre Township was formed in 1774 when it stretched from the Susquehanna River to the Lehigh River and included present day Wilkes-Barre City, Laurel Run Borough, Bear Creek Township and Buck Township. Wilkes-Barre Township is named for two courageous Englishmen, John Wilkes and Colonel Isaac Barr??, who fought for our freedom in the British Parliament.

In 1849, Moses Tammany arrived in the United States from Ireland and he acquired most of the land that is now Wilkes-Barre Township for $12,000. Coal companies purchased many parcels of this land that contained the finest and purest anthracite coal deposits in the world. In 1871, Wilkes-Barre became a city and the present boundary was fixed between the City and the Township.

With its ideal location on the major highway systems serving the region, Wilkes-Barre Township is quickly becoming the retail hub of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Recent significant developments include Exit 46 of Interstate 81, the expansion of Highland Park Boulevard, The Arena Hub retail center, Wilkes-Barre Township Commons retail center and Northeastern Pennsylvania's crown jewel – Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza which is home to Penguins Hockey, Pioneers Arena football and many other events, shows and concerts. With the recent development of many restaurants and retail centers, added to the already existing Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township offers a wide variety of dining, shopping and entertainment choices unlike any seen in the entire region.

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