Mike Ditka, National Football League Hall-of-Fame player
Jesse Steinfeld, former Surgeon General of the United States
Ty Law, NFL player
Sean Gilbert, NFL player
Darrelle Revis, NFL player
Henry Mancini, composer of "Moon River" and "The Pink Panther Theme", among many others
Press Maravich, basketball coach
Pete Maravich, National Basketball League Hall-of-Famer
Doc Medich, Major League Baseball player
Pete Suder, Major League Baseball player
Gust Avrakotos, Central Intelligence Agency operative(See "Charlie Wilson's War)
Joe Letteri Visual imaging Artist winner of 3 Academy Award prize, visual effect supervisor of movie Avatar
Ivor Parry Evans Past base commander of Roswell, NM air base.
The Archbald Pothole
Archbald
Archbald Pothole State Park is a 149.16-acre (60.36 ha) Pennsylvania state park in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The focal point of the park is Archbald Pothole. The pothole is a remnant of the Wisconsin Glacial Period, 38 feet (11.6 m) deep with a largest diameter of 42 feet (12.8 m) by 24 feet (7.3 m). It has drawn tourists since just after it was discovered in 1884. Archbald Pothole State Park is on U.S. Route 6 Business in the borough of Archbald.
Notable people
Anthony Esolen, academic, translator, and writer
Max Kranick, (born July 21, 1997), MLB professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Joseph P. McDonald, (September 29, 1919 – August 7, 1994), U.S. Army Air Corps Private at Fort Shafter’s Intercept Center near Pearl Harbor; instrumental in the initial report of Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service's impending attack on Pearl Harbor[11][12][13]
James Martin Munley (1936-2020), judge, Court of Common Pleas, Lackawanna County (1978–98), US District Court Judge, Middle District of Pennsylvania (1998–2020).[14]
Marion L. Munley (1905-1983), Pennsylvania state representative 1947–64[15]
Joe Paparella (1909-1994), American League umpire; born in Eynon
James P. Scoblick (1909-1981), congressman from Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district (1946–49)
William Henry Stanton (1848-1900), congressman from Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district (1876-77)
Dick Tracewski (1935-), Major League Baseball player and coach; born in Eynon
Bob Shemonski (1931-1986), University of Maryland football star (1949-1951)
Ashley
Notable People
Eusebius J. Beltran Roman Catholic Archbishop of Oklahoma City
Russell Johnson, actor, (It Came from Outer Space (1953), This Island Earth (1955), best known to audiences as "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island TV-series, who can build all sorts of inventions out of the primitive materials on the island, but could not seem to find a way for the castaways to get rescued.
John Tewksbury won the gold medal in the 100 m sprint at the 1900 Olympics.
The Austin Dam, also known as the Bayless Dam, was a concrete gravity dam in the Austin, Pennsylvania area that served the Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill. Built in 1909, It was the largest dam of its type in Pennsylvania at the time. The catastrophic failure of the dam on September 30, 1911 caused significant destruction and loss of life in Freeman Run Valley below the dam.
Boswell
There have been two noteworthy disasters at the Boswell mines. A methane gas explosion killed five miners in 1909 and another explosion in 1915 killed 22 miners Boyertown
Notable People
Carl Spaatz, (1891–1974): American general during World War II
Steven Burns, (1973-present): former Blue's Clues host, actor, musician
Elaine Irwin Mellencamp, (1970-present): former Victoria's Secret model and wife of rock musician John Mellencamp
Mark Soper, (1959-present): American Actor
Bradford
Notable People
opera singer Marilyn Horne and
Hall of Fame baseball player Rube Waddell.
A famous Perpetual Motion machine hoax was created in Bradford in 1897 by J M Aldrich; it was exposed in the July 1, 1899 issue of the Scientific American magazine, leading to a four month prison sentence in the county jail.
Films shot in Bradford
Bigfoot in Bradford (2007)[4] is a skit made over The Jacobs Creature. It was written by Margaret Brown with director Craig Kloss starring actors Brandon Brisson, Chaz Kirkwood, Craig Kloss, Ashlely Sampson, Alan Kline and Tina Holquist. Photography and editing was by Jeremy Wedge and Margaret Brown. The skit also featured the “Blues Brothers of Bradford" with musicians Tubby Colella, Ken Eddy, Gary Hoy and Jerry Johnson Sr.
Little Chicago (2008)[5] is a movie based on a true story described in a chapter of the book “Invisible Ink" by Carl A. Veno, with director Ron Ballard, writer Linda Veno, and commentator Michael Rispoli. It was filmed on-location in Bradford, Pennsylvania at The Option House, the Zippo Manufacturing Company, St. Bernard's Cemetery, Veterans Square and Old City Hall which are all prominently featured in the movie. It exists presently as “the last prohibition witnesses documentary" in a full, uncensored version.
Unstoppable is an action film directed by Tony Scott, written by Mark Bomback and starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine. Unstoppable was not filmed in Bradford, but was filmed in some nearby communities
Grammy Winning singer Christina Aguilera grew up in Bradford Woods for most of her childhood up to around the time she started recording her debut album. In a 2002 episode of MTV Diary she returns to the area and the owners of her former home on Bradford Road allowed her to tour her old house.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith currently resides in Bradford Woods.
Bridgeville
Notable People
Paul Danilo - member of the Soccer Hall of Fame
Nicholas DiOrio - member of the Soccer Hall of Fame
Jenna Morasca - winner of Survivor: The Amazon (Jenna is actually a resident of South Fayette Township, which uses the Bridgeville mailing address).
Ron Sams - NFL player Harold Stephens - writer and novelist
Bryn Athyn
1921 Wreck
In Bryn Athyn's railroad history, a devastating accident took place in 1921. Two steam trains collided head-on. The boilers burst, sending red hot coals flying back and raining down on the wooden passenger cars of the two trains. As a result, over 20 people were killed, also due to the incapacity of rescue workers to access the trains, given that they were wedged between two large rocks. The incident has led to the ban on wooden rail cars in order to prevent future disasters of a similar occurrence.
Butler
Notable People
Josie Carey, the host of "The Children's Corner" on WQED in Pittsburgh, was one of the first employees of the station, which was the first community-sponsored public TV station.
Fred Rogers was a puppeteer and musician on her show for seven years before creating Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Ms. Carey was born and raised in Butler.
Former US Senator Rick Santorum spent his formative years in Butler.
World record setting swimmer and Armco CEO Harry Holiday was born and raised in Butler.
Scot Thompson, born and raised in Butler, played Major League Baseball with the Cubs, Giants and Expos.
Butler native John Minton (1948–1995) became a well-known exhibition wrestler under the name Big John Studd.
Jazz trombonist and arranger Jim Pugh was born and raised in Butler.
French horn player William Purvis was born and raised in Butler.
Actor Fred McCarren (1951–2006) was born and raised in Butler.
Tony award winning actress Michele Pawk was born and raised in Butler.
Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, was born in Butler but raised in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
William J. Perry, former Secretary of Defense under Bill Clinton (1994–97), born in Vandergrift, PA graduated from Butler High School in 1945.
Terry Hanratty, an All-American quarterback from Notre Dame who won the National Championship in 1966 and went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s as a back-up, was born in Butler, PA in 1948.
Bill Saul and his twin brothers Richard and Ronald, a trio of professional football players during the 60's and 70's, were born and raised in Butler - Bill played linebacker for the Colts, Steelers, Saints and Lions; Richard played for the Los Angeles Rams; and Ronald played for the Washington Redskins.
Paul Posluzny, Buffalo Bills linebacker and All American Penn State University linebacker was born in Butler.
Home and birthplace of heavyweight boxer Brian Minto.
Mike Kelly, Congressman-elect to U.S. House of Representatives for PA-3, resides in Butler and previously served on City Council there.
Birthplace of St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Khalil Greene.
Scott Milanovich (Maryland, '96), former NFL quarterback and current Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator of the Grey Cup Champion Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League hails from Butler.
Hometown of major league All-Star pitcher member of the 2007 World Series Red Sox Matt Clement.
Hometown of Judge William G. Bassler, formerly of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Bataan Death March Survivor Sgt. Abie Abraham was born in Lyndora (which is a CDP of Butler Township). He now resides in Renfrew, Pennsylvania.
Hometown of Eric Namesnik (1970–2006), two time silver medalist Olympic swimmer.
Honus Wagner (who, according to local legend, was discovered throwing rocks across Chartiers Creek not too far from his home).
Mike Ditka was also born here. A baseball field is named after him.
Notable People
Athletes
Mike Ditka, Pro Football Hall of Fame member [5]
Bernie Faloney, Canadian Football Hall of Fame member
Skip Prosser, Former NCAA Division I basketball head coach for Wake Forest University
Butts Wagner, Major League Baseball player, older brother of Honus Wagner
Politicians
Ruggero J. Aldisert, judge on the United States Court of Appeals
James H. Duff, governor of Pennsylvania, 1947–1951; member of the U.S. Senate, 1951–1957
James A. Wright, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1941–1945
Russell Errett, member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1877–1883
Artists
Brian Alfred, American painter
James Michael Newell, W.P.A. muralist
Marc Cerasini, novelist
Charles E. Hoffman, literary critic and essayist
Castle Shannon
Notable People
Dennis Miller - comedian, grew up in Castle Shannon, and attended St. Anne's Elementary School and Keystone Oaks High School
Paul J. Wilhelm - former president of U.S. Steel, attended St. Anne School, class of 1956
Catasauqua
By 1900, Catasauqua boasted 5,000 residents, and had the highest percentage of self-made millionaires of any town in the United States. In 1917, while many of the young men of the town served in World War I, Catasauqua became the first community in the United States to raise $1 million in war bonds, earning it the nickname "The Million Dollar Town."
Notable People
Buck Freeman, former professional baseball player, Washington Senators.[4]
Pat Kelly, former adopted professional baseball player, New York Yankees.
Bert Kuczynski, former pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and an American football tight end in the NFL for the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles.
Fred Hutterer, former barber for Hutterers Barber, won 2 national barber championships.
Pat James-Dementri, QVC host, QVC
Chicora
Chicora Meteor
On June 24, 1938 a meteorite fell in the vicinity of Chicora. Named the "Chicora Meteor", the 450+ tonne meteorite exploded approximately twelve miles above the Earth's surface. Only two fragments of the meteorite were found following initial investigations. They had masses 242g and 61g, and were discovered some miles short of the calculated point of impact of the main mass - which is yet to be found. Two more small fragments were found nearby in 1940. Numerous reports of the Chicora Meteor mention that a cow was struck and injured by a falling stone; other accounts say that the cow was killed by the stone. The meteor was an olivine-hypersthene chondrite. Its remains were split between the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution. The sound and light of the exploding meteor were initially mistaken for an explosion in the powder magazine at West Winfield, and was compared by investigators FW Preston, EP Henderson and James R Randolph as comparable to with the Halifax explosion of 1917 in destructive power. "If it had landed on Pittsburgh there would have been few survivors", they stated
The town was the scene of the infamous Donora Smog of 1948. Between October 26, and October 31, 1948 an air inversion trapped industrial effluent (air pollution) from the American Steel and Wire plant and Donora Zinc Works. "In three days, 20 people died... After the inversion lifted, another 50 died, including Lukasz Musial, the father of baseball great Stan Musial. Hundreds more finished the rest of their lives with damaged lungs and hearts. But another 40 years would pass before the whole truth about Donora's bad air made public-health history." [2] Today, the town is home to the Donora Smog Museum which tells the impact of the Donora Smog on the air quality standards enacted by the federal government in subsequent years.
Dover
Intelligent Design Controversy - Dover received national attention in 2004-05, after the Dover Area School District voted to include the following statement about intelligent design in the biology curriculum of its schools: The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution and eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part. Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The Theory of Evolution, while technically not a fact, is the most widely accepted amongst the scientific community. Gaps in the Theory of Evolution exist for which there is no evidence, however these gaps are becoming much less prevalent through modern science.[3] A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view. The reference book Of Pandas and People is available for students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves. With respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open mind. The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families. As a Standards-driven district, class instruction focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on Standards-based assessments.[4] Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District (page 1)
Aftermath - The controversial statement by the school board triggered the court case Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District in late 2005. The case was resolved on December 20, 2005, when Judge John E. Jones III ruled that the Dover Area School District cannot teach Intelligent Design in a science class room, due to its religious origins. The separation of church and state principle, as derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibits any government agency from endorsing religious points of view.[5][6] In an upset election on November 8, 2005, the eight Republican school board members who voted for the ruling were all defeated by the challengers from the Dover Cares slate – four Democrats and four Republicans, forced by election rules to run on the Democratic ticket – who opposed the teaching of intelligent design in a science class.[7] Over the past few years Dover has incorporated a Comparative Religion course as an elective for students who want to learn more about all the religions of the world. Pat Robertson Two days after the upset, Pat Robertson commented on the election results on The 700 Club: I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city.[8][9] He later revisited his previous warning: God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in his eye forever. If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them.[8][9]
Notable People
John Kuhn – fullback for the Green Bay Packers
Christopher Thorn – member of Blind Melon, was born in Dover in 1968
Charles Bronson
Ehrenfeld
Actor Charles Bronson was born in Ehrenfeld
Eldred
Eldred, Pa is the home of the Kendall Bridge. This bridge is reportedly one of only a few bridges in the world in which a road turns off the suspended section off the bridge creating a suspended intersection. This bridge also spans the Allegheny River, a small road, as well as a railroad line that runs through the small town. This railroad is owned by Western New York & Pennsylvania Rail Road. Eldred is also home to the WW2 Museum. During World War II, Eldred was the site of a British and American munitions plant that produced eight million bombs, mortar shells and fuses. Fifteen hundred people worked there, 24 hours a day, from January 1942 to May 1945, supporting the war effort. The Eldred World War II Museum opened on Memorial Day, 1996, dedicated to the memory of the U.S. fighting forces and the 40 million people on the home front who provided our fighters with the war materials they needed.
Ellwood City
Notable People
Donnie Iris - Rock musician
Jim Gerlach - U.S. Representative
Frank LaGrotta - Former Pennsylvania state representative
Sean Miller - University of Arizona men's basketball coach
Matt Osborne - American professional wrestler, best known as the original Doink the Clown in the World Wrestling Federation.
Don Schaly - College baseball coaching great; only coach in college baseball history to win 1,000 or more games and win more than 80% of his games. Won 3 national championships and 4 national coach of the year awards at Marietta College.
Hack Wilson - Baseball Hall of Famer
George Zeber - Former player for the New York Yankees
Emmaus
In 2007, Emmaus was listed as one of the top 100 "Best Places to Live" in the United States by Money magazine
Emporium
Notable People
Joseph T. McNarney - WWI flying ace, four star general, Deputy Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army during WWII, Supreme Allied Commander of the Mediterranean Theater, a Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany. Was made Knight Commander of the Order of Bath by King George VI of England.
Ephrata
History Ephrata is noteworthy for having been the former seat of the Mystic Order of the Solitary, a semimonastic order of Seventh-Day Dunkers. The community, which contained both men and women, was founded by Johann Conrad Beissel in 1732.
Notable People
Evelyn Margaret Ay, Miss America 1954
Kevin Carvell, television and film actor, producer, consultant, and founder of Flashpoint Studios
Richard D. Winters, Major, "E" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Mike Mentzer, former IFBB bodybuilder, was born in Germantown, Philadelphia, but was raised in Ephrata
In July, Metalcore Band Curtis L. Martin, lead author of the Ghost Tracks books series
Foxburg
The town is home to the nine-hole Foxburg Country Club, founded in 1887. It has been recognized as the oldest continuously operated course in the United States.
Franklin
Notable People
John Wilkes Booth, United States President Abraham Lincoln's assassin in 1865. In 1864, one year before Lincoln's assassination, he formed an oil company and stayed in Franklin for a time, performing at the Franklin Opera House.
Ted Marchibroda, former American football quarterback and head coach in the National Football League.
Hildegarde Dolson, author of several mysteries and histories. She may be best remembered as the author of We Shook the Family Tree, which recalls her youth in Franklin.
Samuel C. T. Dodd, lawyer, worked for John D. Rockefeller and created the first trust for Standard Oil.
Jesse L. Reno graduated from West Point, served under Winfield Scott in Mexico, was part of the federal force sent against the Mormons, and served in the Civil War under Ambrose Burnside. He also fought against West Point classmate Stonewall Jackson.
Rolland Lawrence, American football Cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. Rolland "Bay" Lawrence is the Falcons all-time interceptions leader.
Sean W. Rowe, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern PA. He previously served as the rector of St. John's Church.
Sports
Among other sporting accomplishments, Franklin Area High School has won two state basketball championships. In 2001 and 2006, the boys team, playing in PIAA Class AAA District 10, defeated Allentown Central Catholic out of District 11 and Communications Tech from District 12 (Philadelphia Public League), respectively.[4]
Trivia
Franklin's streets were designed by Andrew Ellicott, the architect and urban planner who also helped design the streets of Washington, D.C..[2]
Franklin is the setting for The X-Files episode "Blood", in which a rash of killings are committed by people who are urged to commit murder by common electronic devices.
Freedom
Notable People
Dominic DeNucci- professional wrestler
Freeport
Notable People
David Alter – scientist and inventor
Red Bowser – outfielder in Major League Baseball
Bud Carson – former NFL coach
Jeff Christy – former professional American football player
Donald R. Lobaugh – U.S. Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II
Don Taylor – actor and director
Harmony
Popular culture Harmony was the town setting for the slasher film My Bloody Valentine 3D.
Hatboro
The World War II figure Jack Agnew (1922-2010), an inspiration for the novel and film, The Dirty Dozen, spent his last year at a retirement community in Hatfield
Notable People
Jim Molinaro, professional football player, Dallas Cowboys
Hellertown
Home of Devon, adult film actress.
Home of Allen Woodring, 1920 Olympic gold medalist in the 200m.
Mentioned in Brian Keene's horror genre books The Rising and City of the Dead.
Mentioned in Solved episode titled "Sin" on Investigation Discovery network. This documentary profiles the murder of Hellertown resident Rhonda Smith, who was found dead in Trinity Lutheran Church at Springfield Township, Bucks County. (Original Airdate: August 31, 2009)
The community is home to The Hershey Companyy which also makes the well-known Hershey bar and Hershey's Kisses, as well as the parent to the H. B. Reese Candy Company, manufacturer of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Hollidaysburg
The famous toy known as the Slinky is manufactured within Hollidaysburg by Poof-Slinky, Inc. (formerly James Industries, Inc.). More than a quarter billion Slinkys have been manufactured in the toy's history
Notable People
Harry J. Anslinger -- widely considered to be the first United States "drug czar"
Charlie Brenneman -- mixed martial arts fighter
Hedda Hopper -- gossip columnist
Samuel Rea -- president of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1913-1925
Red Whittaker -- roboticist Daniel Hale Williams -- pioneering black surgeon
Honesdale
Birthplace of American railroading Honesdale is home of the first commercial steam locomotive to run on rails in the United States, the Stourbridge Lion. On August 8, 1829, the Stourbridge Lion started in Honesdale, ran three miles to Seelyville, and then returned.
Notable People
Richard C. Smith, who co-wrote the song "Winter Wonderland" in 1934
Mary Dimmick Harrison, second wife of President Benjamin Harrison
Lyman Louis Lemnitzer, General, United States Army and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Art Wall, 1959 Masters Golf champion
Edgar Jadwin, former Chief of Engineers, United States Army Corps of Engineers
David M. Peterson, a flying ace of World War I
Christy Mathewson, Hall of Fame pitcher
John Olver, member of the United States House of Representatives representing Massachusetts's 1st congressional district
Florence Goodenough, born 1886, psychology pioneer in area of intelligence
In popular culture
The movie Wet Hot American Summer was filmed at Camp Towanda near Honesdale during the spring of 2000. The film is a comedy starring Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, and Molly Shannon. It was directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter (who also stars in the movie).
Schrute Farms, the Bed and Breakfast beet farm belonging to Dwight Schrute on NBC's popular sitcom The Office is listed as a Honesdale establishment on TripAdvisor.com.
Honesdale is mentioned in the opening scene of the movie "The Ten" starring Paul Rudd of Wet Hot American Summer.
The Long Kiss Goodnight is a 1996 action thriller film which stars Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson. Geena plays a Honesdale schoolteacher/wife/mother who suffers from amnesia, and who eventually learns that she was a trained assassin before losing her memory. Although Honesdale is mentioned in the film, the film was not actually shot in Honesdale.
Although the movie Playing for Keeps was filmed mainly in nearby Bethany, Pennsylvania, scenes were filmed at the old Miracle Market on 6th Street in Honesdale. Additional scenes were filmed in nearby Hawley, Pennsylvania and a field along Pennsylvania State Route 191 near Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. The movie was released on October 3, 1986 and starred Daniel Jordano, Matthew Penn, Leon W. Grant, Mary B. Ward and Marisa Tomei.
Blue Valentine, a movie starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, started filming in Honesdale and the surrounding areas in the spring of 2009.
Houston
Tennis
The Timko sisters of Houston, Pennsylvania became the first girls to win a WPIAL Boys Doubles Tennis Title.
In 1934, the right arm of Hughestown resident Harry Tompkins was crushed by an Erie Railroad train. The resulting U.S. Supreme Court case, Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, laid the foundation for a large part of modern American civil procedure.
Kennett Square
It is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World[1] because mushroom farming in the region produces over a million pounds of mushrooms a year. To celebrate this heritage, Kennett Square has an annual Mushroom Festival, where the town shuts down to have a parade, tour mushroom farms, and buy and sell food and other goods
Notable People
Bayard Taylor (1825–1878),writer
Herb Pennock (1894–1948) Hall of Fame baseball pitcher also known as the Squire of Kennett Square.
Jessica Savitch (1947–1983), Broadcast Journalist
Pat Ciarrocchi (1953–present), Broadcast Journalist
Frank Zane
Kingston
Notable People
Frank Zane, bodybuilder born in Kingston. Won the Mr. Olympia title three years in a row (1977–1979).
Edie Adams, singer and light comedienne (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World), began her career with and later married Ernie Kovacs. Did TV commercials in the 1960s for Muriel Cigars, with the somewhat racy line at the time "Why don't you pick me up and smoke me some time?".
Kingston is the setting for the fictional 1950 coal-mining and railroad town of Westmoor in the novel Smart Boys Swimming in the River Styx (Ingram). The author, Robert Phillip Bomboy, originally of Kingston and a graduate of Kingston High School, is a widely published magazine writer. There are more than 100 local places in the novel.
Russell Bufalino, boss of the Northeastern Pennsylvania crime family (also known as the Bufalino crime family) from 1959 to 1989. Despite being the boss of a small crime family, Bufalino was a significant influence in the national Cosa Nostra criminal organization.
Kingston has produced one Major League Baseball player, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Steamer Flanagan. (b. April 20, 1881)
Dan Harris, Hollywood Director (Imaginary Heroes) and Screenwriter (X2 [X-Men 2] and Superman Returns), was born and raised in Kingston. He attended high school at Wyoming Seminary, before going to Columbia University for college.
Phyllis Mundy has served as the state representative for Pennsylvania's 120th legislative district, based in Kingston, for 20 years.
Suzie Plakson, actress and musical theatre performer.
Dave Popson, NBA player for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Title Fight, pop punk band.
Kittanning
In 1756, the village was destroyed by John Armstrong, Sr. at the Battle of Kittanning during the French and Indian War. During the attack, a blast from the explosion of gunpowder stored in Captain Jacobs's house was heard in Pittsburgh, 44 miles away.
The Mothman Prophecies
The original bridge over the Allegheny River at Kittanning was torn down and replaced with the Kittanning Citizens Bridge, which was built higher above ground level to avoid flooding. Scenes with the town and bridge were the used in the film The Mothman Prophecies (2002) starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney, which was filmed in the Kittanning area.
My Bloody Valentine 3D Scenes for the horror movie My Bloody Valentine 3D were filmed in Kittanning.[6]
Justified - The pilot episode for Justified, starring Timothy Olyphant, was filmed in Kittanning and its surrounding areas.[citation needed]
One for the Money Filming for the movie One for the Money took place during Summer 2010
Knox
Medal of Honor
On June 2, 2008 President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Honor to the parents of PFC Ross A. McGinnis. PFC McGinnis, a 19 year old Knox native, was killed in action in Iraq on December 4, 2006. McGinnis was manning the hatch in a Humvee when a grenade shot past him and landed near four other soldiers. PFC McGinnis shouted a warning and then tried to pin the grenade to the wall of the Humvee. The grenade exploded, killing him.
Knoxville
Notable People
Charles Meredith - actor
Kulpmont
Notable People
Joe Baksi (January 14, 1922 - August 6, 1977) was a top heavyweight boxing contender
Sam Brazinsky (January 9, 1921-) Pro Football Player (Buffalo Bills)
Eleanor Bach (January 11, 1922 - April 30, 1995) New York based astrologer, has been called "Mother of the Asteroids."
Among its claims to fame, Latrobe is the home of the Latrobe Brewery (the original brewer of Rolling Rock beer)
Saint Vincent College
Golfer Arnold Palmer.
It was the childhood home of Fred Rogers, children's television personality. He was also buried there in Unity Cemetery after his death in 2003.
In addition, it is the birthplace of trumpeter Dennis Ferry.
While it was believed for years that the first professional football game was played in Latrobe, the city refused induction into the Hall of Fame records.
Latrobe is also home of the first banana split, invented in Latrobe by David Strickler in 1904.
Latrobe is home to the training camp of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football team.
Also, comedian Jackie Mason spent three years as a rabbi in Latrobe after his ordination.
Notable People
Gregory S. Forbes, meteorologist and Severe Weather Expert for The Weather Channel
Chris Lightcap, jazz bassist
Boniface Wimmer, Benedictine monk, founded Saint Vincent Archabbey in 1845 and the American-Cassinese Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation in 1855. [edit]
In Popular Culture
Latrobe is featured in "Scan", an episode of the television series Prison Break. Fugitive Fernando Sucre is stopped by a Pennsylvania State Trooper, but runs through a field and presumably jumps aboard a cargo train headed towards New York.
In George A. Romero's 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, the town is featured as a sanctuary from the uprising of the dead.
Latrobe is featured prominently in the 2008 feature length Kurt Kuenne documentary entitled Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father.
Laurel Run
The Giants Despair Hillclimb is a hillclimb established in 1906 just outside Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in Laurel Run, Pennsylvania, United States.[1] It is the oldest continuing motorsport in Pennsylvania.[2] Race drivers from across the nation gather annually on East Northampton Street, the name of the road that winds its way through a 1 mile (1.6 km) section of Pennsylvania's steep mountains. Rising 650 feet (200 m), the course reaches grades up to 20% and has six turns—including the 110 "Devil's Elbow"— in the race to the top.[1][2] The original race was won in 2 minutes 10.2 seconds. [2] In its first years, the race was used as a proving grounds by the biggest names in the automotive industry. Once record-holder Louis Chevrolet raced the hill as a way of demonstrating how powerful and reliable his product was. Carroll Shelby, Roger Penske, and Oscar Koveleski are just a few of the famous drivers that set out to tackle the mile. The hill has been paved many times and the records have been shattered. It was first run in conjunction with Wilkes-Barre's centennial celebration.[2] The current record holder is Darryl Danko, who ran the course in 38.360 seconds in 2007.[1] Today, the Hillclimb is run on the second weekend of July.
Mahanoy City
In 1948, Mahanoy City became the first municipality in the country to have Cable TV.
Malvern
Malvern is the site of the Paoli Massacre during the American Revolutionary War.
McSherrystown
The headquarters of the popular Teddy Bear manufacturer Boyds Bears
The oldest operating family-run cigar manufacturer in the U.S. (since 1863), F.X. Smith & Sons.
Mercer
Mercer is the birthplace of the 19th century painter Samuel Waugh
Musician Trent Reznor, creator of the band Nine Inch Nails
Milbourne
In 2000, 40.2% of Millbourne residents identified themselves as being of Asian Indian heritage. This was the highest percentage of Indian Americans of any place in the United States. One source [4] estimates that as of 2006[update], Millbourne's percentage of Indian American residents had increased to 63%. Millbourne is also the only community in Pennsylvania, and the only community outside California and Hawaii with an Asian American majority
Mr. Smalls Funhouse
Millvale
Mr. Smalls is a live-music venue in the Millvale neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is an eclectic and innovative indie venue[1] due to its location in a converted church from the early 20th century,[2] its multiple interior event spaces (including four stages, a recording studio, multiple bars, and a restaurant), and its hosting of thousands of national, regional and local artists since its inception as a venue.[3] Mr. Smalls has been the live music venue for many touring national acts over the years including Fall Out Boy, Bill Clinton,[4] Snoop Dogg, Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Kesha, Interpol and Metric. It has a capacity of over 1,000 people amongst its various interior event spaces, namely the two performance spaces: the Theatre (800 people) and the Funhouse (175 people
St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church, on Maryland Avenue in Millvale, is the first Croatian Catholic parish in America.[4] Painted on the walls of the church are the world renown murals of Croatian artist Maksimilijan Vanka. These murals, painted in the 1930s and 1940s, were Vanka's gift to the United States. They represent the struggles of the Croatian people in the face of war and poverty in their homeland and as immigrants in post-industrial America. This story is told through imagery that blends the Slavic experience with their strong Roman Catholic faith, a faith which strengthened them in the face of adversity.
Monaca
In early November 2003, the largest hepatitis A outbreak in American history occurred due to contaminated green onions at the defunct Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant in the Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca. There were at least 660 confirmed cases, and four deaths
Montoursville
TWA Flight 800
Montoursville became famous worldwide when, on July 17, 1996, TWA Flight 800 exploded off East Moriches, New York, with the loss of 230 lives. On board were 16 students from Montoursville High School and their five adult chaperones who were on a class trip to France as part of a student exchange program.[7] Condolences came from as far away as Japan, Australia, and Belgium. Governor Tom Ridge attended a vigil at the school with his wife.[8] Ridge and New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani would also attend a memorial service honoring the victims.[9] Among those who sent condolences were President Bill Clinton, the U.S. softball team at the Atlanta Olympics, and Francois Bujon de l'Estang, French ambassador to the United States (1995–2002). A memorial is located on the grounds of Montoursville High School. It is a statue of an angel (sculpted by James Barnhill of Asheville, North Carolina) on a base engraved with the names of the 21 local victims and a brief history. The memorial is in a circular grove of 21 trees (one for each victim). The angel was chosen because a cloud seen above the high school on July 21, 1996, was thought by many onlookers to resemble an angel, with 21 small clouds at its feet. Randolph Hudson of State College was chosen as the memorial designer and Beth Hershberger served as landscape designer. The five chaperones; Debbie Dickey, a French teacher of the Montoursville Area High School; Doug Dickey, husband of Debbie Dickey; Carol Fry, former school board member; Judith Rupert, high school secretary; Eleanor Wolfson (mother of Wendy Wolfson) The names of the 16 students are as follows: Jessica Aikey, Daniel Baszczewski, Michelle Bohlin, Jordan Bower, Monica Cox, Claire Gallagher, Julia Grimm, Rance Hettler, Amanda Karschner, Jodi Loudenslager, Cheryl Nibert, Kimberly Rogers, Larissa Uzupis, Jacqueline Watson, Monica Weaver, Wendy Wolfson (daughter of Eleanor Wolfson)
Nanticoke
Notable People
Nick Adams, actor, (Mister Roberts, Rebel Without a Cause), best known to audiences as Johnny Yuma of the TV series The Rebel.
Steve Bilko was 20 years old when he broke into professional baseball on September 22, 1949, with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pete Gray, the only one-armed man ever to play major league baseball, having lost his right arm in a childhood accident. His life depicted in the 1986 television production A Winner Never Quits. There is a historical marker in the Hanover section of Nanticoke at Front and Center St. denoting the place of his birth.
Paul E. Kanjorski, former U.S. Representive for Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district (which includes Nanticoke).
Billy Speary 3 Time National AAU Golden Gloves Boxing champ held 15 titles & fought world-class.[5][6]
Albert Tannenbaum, member of Murder, Inc. was born in Nanticoke.
Art Thomas, Billy Speary's Trainer and trained The New York Golden Gloves Team
Jerry Orbach,stage and screen star. Tony winning actor and a former cast member of Law & Order.
Narbeth
Notable People
Philadelphia Eagles founder and National Football League commissioner Bert Bell spent his final years in Narberth, and there is a plaque in his honor in downtown Narberth outside the location of the restaurant where he usually conducted NFL business.
World War II fighter ace Pug Southerland was born in Narberth.
Metropolitan Opera star Margaret Harshaw grew up in Narberth.
Internet Star James Rolfe alias the Angry Video Game Nerd lives in Narberth.
Colorado governor-elect John Hickenlooper was born and raised in Narberth.
Opeing Lyrics to The Band's Song "The Weight"
Nazareth
Nazareth in Popular Music
"The Weight", a song by The Band, features a traveler arriving in Nazareth, and describing all of the characters that he meets there, including the Devil.
The heavy metal group Nazareth later drew their name from the lyric.
Nazareth Speedway
Nazareth was home to the Nazareth Speedway, a one mile tri-oval paved track of Indy and USAC racing fame. Nazareth is also home to racing champions Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Marco Andretti. The track has now been knocked down, and no announcements have been made about what the land will be used for.
Martin Guitar
Nazareth is the global headquarters for C.F. Martin & Company, which manufactures Martin guitars. Martin guitars are handmade instruments that once were made by artisans who apprenticed for years to learn their trade. Now, Martin Guitars are made largely on an assembly line monitored and assisted by workers, computers, and lasers. Assembly lines at Martin were instituted to lower costs, improve speed of production, and compete with foreign manufacturers, without which efforts it is said that the company would have ceased to survive.
Notable People
Mario Andretti, former professional race car driver and owner Michael Andretti, former professional race car driver and owner Marco Andretti, professional race car driver
Christian Frederick Martin, founder of C. F. Martin & Company (Martin Guitars)
Kate Micucci, actress, comedian, artist, and singer-songwriter
On September 11, 2001, during the 9/11 attacks on the United States, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field in Stonycreek Township, 1.75 miles (2.82 km) north of the town of Shanksville. The hijackers had intended to crash the airplane into the Capitol in Washington D.C.[5] Flight 93 Memorials Flight 93 National Memorial The original temporary memorial to the passengers and crew of Flight 93 was located on a hill, about 500 yards from the crash site. On July 8, 2010, a new temporary entrance and memorial were opened at an area called "The Western Overlook." It is where the FBI set up their command center and where family members first saw the aftermath of the crash, bringing their own memorials, where visitors can leave them today. The initial phase of permanent construction of the Flight 93 National Memorial, including the visitor's center, will be completed by the 10th anniversary in 2011. The memorial will be built around the crash site, following the plane's flight path, and protecting the area of impact, known as the "Sacred Ground", which will remain protected and accessible only to family members of the passengers and crew. Shanksville Firehouse Memorial Shanksville's volunteer firefighters, as well as emergency personnel from nearby towns of Central City, Somerset, and others, had rushed to the United Airlines Flight 93 crash scene to search for survivors. New York City firefighters donated to the Shanksville Volunteer Fire Department a cross-shaped piece of steel salvaged from the World Trade Center. Mounted atop a Pentagon-shaped base, it was installed outside the firehouse and dedicated on August 24, 2008
Shippingport
Shippingport is famous for being the site of the United States's first commercial nuclear power plant, the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, which began operation in 1957
Smethport
Home of "Wooly Willy" magnetic toy produced by Smethport Specialty. Home of the U.S. record for 24 hour rainfall from a non-tropical system at 34 inches of rain. Lowest Recorded Temperature in Pennsylvania (Jan. 5, 1904): Smethport −42 °F (−41 °C) The first magnetic toys in the country were invented in Smethport in 1908. From out of those early roots would eventually come the famous 1955 hit toy “Wooly Willy." This famous 20th century toy was created by Jim Herzog in Smethport in 1955, when he worked for the family-owned business Smethport Specialty Co. Wooly Willy is celebrated by the town in June during Summer Fest when any Willy-want-to-be can enter the Wooly Willy look-alike contest to stake their claim with Smethport’s most famous son. With more than 50 million being sold, the child’s toy is one of the largest promoters of Smethport, which features the town’s name on every toy.
Notable People
Jamie Dana USAF TSgt is the first military working dog handler to be allowed to adopt her dog from active duty. She sustained serious injuries with her dog, Rex, in Iraq from an improvised explosive device. Jamie and her dog attended the 2006 State of the Union Address as the guest of Laura Bush.
The "Trolley Graveyard" - Windber
Windber
The Vintage Electric Streetcar Company, popularly called the "trolley graveyard", is located in Windber. The private scrapyard houses a number of PCC streetcars and other transit equipment from systems like the MBTA Green Line, which are sold for reuse or scrapped for parts.[6]
Notable People
Jim Bonfanti, drummer for the power-pop band Raspberries was born in Windber.
Bill Elko, Professional football player San Diego Chargers
Alan Freed, radio disc jockey who coined the term "Rock and Roll".
Gene Heeter, Professional football player
New York Jets Frank Kush, football coach
Raymond Palumbo, Brigadier General, Special Operations, US Army
Johnny Weissmuller, winner in the 1920s of five Olympic gold medals in swimming and one bronze medal in water polo, and later, an actor best known for his six Tarzan movies with actress Maureen O'Sullivan; born in Timisoara, Romania, he lived in Windber for a few years as a child.
J. Irving Whalley, Former United States Congressman and member of the Automotive Hall of Fam
Wyoming
The Wyoming Monument marks the gravesite of victims of the July 1778 Battle of Wyoming. The battle was named for the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania, of which the current borough of Wyoming is a part. A force of British and Tories led by John Butler, with the assistance of about 700 Native Americans attacked the outnumbered Wyoming Valley settlers on 3 July 1778, north of Wyoming in what is now Exeter Borough. The exact fatality count is not known, but it is estimated between 200 and 300 settlers were killed in the battle. An annual observance, sponsored by the Wyoming Commemorative Association, takes place at the obelisk grounds to honor the fallen heroes of this Revolutionary War battle. The monument has been named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Wyoming Valley was made famous by the 1809 poem "Gertrude of Wyoming" by Thomas Campbell. The state of Wyoming was named after the valley, owing to the popularity of the poem
Wyomissing
Notable People
Entertainers
Douglas Carter Beane, playwright
Megan Gallagher, actress
Jon Gosselin, reality television star
Kate Gosselin, reality television star and Dancing with the Stars season 10 contestant
Jillian Murray, actress
Taylor Swift, country music singer, actress
Athletes
Chad Henne, professional football player
Matt Lytle, professional football player
Ross Tucker, professional football player
Youngwood
It was the hometown of the late George Blanda - former NFL quarterback and placekicker.
