Luzerne, Pennsylvania
Luzerne is a borough of 2,723 people in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, founded in 1882.
Why visit Luzerne
Townapedia lists 17 museums and landmarks, 16 parks and trails, 32 places to eat and 5 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Bridge in City of Wilkes-Barre, Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre, Forty Fort Meetinghouse and Wyoming Seminary.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 20°F, and about 45 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Luzerne
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Luzerne
Luzerne is a borough located 5 miles (8 km) north of Wilkes Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States.
From the Wikipedia article Luzerne, Pennsylvania (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do5
Bridge in City of Wilkes-Barre
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Place in Pennsylvania listed on National Register of Historic Places
Little Theatre of Wilkes-Barre
Cinema and theater · 2.9 mi
Theater and former movie theater in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Wilkes University
School · 3.0 mi
Private American university located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Museums and landmarks17
Forty Fort Meetinghouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Historic church in Pennsylvania, United States
20 River Street, Forty Fort
Wyoming Seminary
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Private primary and secondary school in Kingston, Pennsylvania, US
Catlin Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Dormitory building at Wilkes University
Denison House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Listed on the NRHP in Pennsylvania
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.0 mi
Performing arts center and former movie theater in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States
Kingston Armory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Arsenal in Pennsylvania, United States of America
Luzerne County Courthouse
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
County courthouse in Pennsylvania, United States of America
Market Street Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
Place in Pennsylvania listed on National Register of Historic Places
McClintock Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Building in Pennsylvania, United States
River Street Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Historic district in Pennsylvania, United States
Swetland Homestead
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Building in Pennsylvania, United States
Weiss Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.8 mi
Building in Pennsylvania, United States
5 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds16
4 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes32
Pizza Hut
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.1 mi
750 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston
Mo-Th,Su 10:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-24:00
Pizza Heaven
Restaurant · Pizza · 0.5 mi
352 Bennett Street, Luzerne
We,Th,Sa,Su 16:00-21:00; Fr 12:00-22:00
20 more on the map.
History
The community was first settled in 1807. Luzerne Borough was originally known as "Hartseph Hollow" (or Hartseph) in the late 18th century, named after early settler Zachariah Hartseph. The area developed rapidly around Toby Creek, where safely utilizing water power allowed early pioneers to establish essential gristmills and sawmills. Formally incorporated as a borough in 1882, the municipality changed its name to Luzerne to align with the county, which had been named in honor of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, a French minister to the United States during the Revolutionary War.
The borough’s trajectory shifted dramatically in the 19th and early 20th centuries with the boom of the anthracite coal mining industry. Luzerne became a bustling commercial hub for miners and their families, hosting thriving downtown businesses along Main Street, rail lines, and nearby collieries like the Harry E. Enterprise. The local economy was heavily anchored by coal production until the industry’s decline in the mid-20th century, accelerated by regional disasters like the Knox Mine Disaster of 1959.
From the History section of Luzerne, Pennsylvania on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Churches and places of worship22
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and School Building
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
Luzerne Presbyterial Institute
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi
The Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola
Church · Roman Catholic · 1.4 mi
339 North Maple Avenue, Kingston
Courtdale United Methodist Church
Church · United Methodist · 0.9 mi
225 Courtdale Avenue, Courtdale
Bethesda Congregational Church
Church · Presbyterian · 1.5 mi
37 Zerby Avenue, Edwardsville
Doctor Edwards Memorial Congregational Church
Church · Presbyterian · 1.5 mi
668 Main Street, Edwardsville
Green Street Baptist Chapel
Church · Baptist · 1.5 mi
25 Green Street, Edwardsville
Shopping7
Gas and EV charging7
Schools, colleges and libraries37
Hanover Area Memorial El Sch
School · 4.4 mi
80 W Saint Marys Rd, Hanover Township
Healthcare1
Wyoming Valley Behavioral Hospital
Hospital · 1.2 mi
562 Wyoming Avenue, Kingston
Map of Luzerne
144 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36°F | 20°F | 2.6 in | 11.7 in |
| Feb | 39°F | 22°F | 2.1 in | 10.9 in |
| Mar | 48°F | 29°F | 2.8 in | 10.1 in |
| Apr | 61°F | 39°F | 3.3 in | 0.8 in |
| May | 72°F | 50°F | 3.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 80°F | 58°F | 3.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 63°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 82°F | 61°F | 3.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 75°F | 54°F | 4.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 43°F | 3.7 in | 0.7 in |
| Nov | 51°F | 34°F | 2.9 in | 3.2 in |
| Dec | 40°F | 26°F | 2.8 in | 7.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Wilkes-Barre Intl Ap 72513 (9 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Luzerne County has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2021-09-10: Remnants Of Hurricane Ida (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-30: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2012-10-29: Hurricane Sandy (Hurricane)
- 2011-09-12: Tropical Storm Lee (Flood)
- 2011-09-08: Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Wilkes-Barre Wyoming Valley Airport (WBW) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- Forty Fort 1 mi east, about 2 min by car
- Kingston 2 mi south, about 3 min by car
- Edwardsville 2 mi south, about 3 min by car
- Larksville 2 mi southwest, about 4 min by car
- Wilkes-Barre 3 mi south, about 5 min by car
- Hilldale 3 mi east, about 5 min by car
- Hudson 3 mi east, about 6 min by car
- Chase 4 mi west, about 6 min by car
- Inkerman 4 mi east, about 7 min by car
- Georgetown 4 mi south, about 7 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- North Cross Valley, Vasiliymeshko, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bennett Street nb approaching Kelly Street west in Luzerne, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Kelly Street sb in Luzerne, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Main Street nb approaching Courtdale Avenue, Luzerne, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Luzerne, PA municipal building, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Forty Fort Meetinghouse, John Jennings, Public domain
- Wyoming Seminary Old Union Hall LuzCo PA, Smallbones, CC0
- St John Apts 2 Wilkes-Barre LuzCo PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Weiss Hall Wilkes B PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Market Street Bridge, Wilkes-Barre, PennDOT, Public domain
- Bridge in City of Wilkes-Barre, Jet Lowe, Public domain
- Denison House, Forty Fort, John Jennings, Public domain
- Luzerne County Courthouse2, Phanatic, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Wyoming Monument 1 LuzCo PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Kingston Armory LuzCo PA 3, Smallbones, CC0
- Roth Residence Hall Wilkes Barre PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Swetland Homestead, John Jennings, Public domain
- McClintock Hall Wilkes B PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Central Railroad of NJ Station WB PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Catlin Hall Wilkes U WB PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Kirby Theater 71 PS WB PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Wheelmans 1 Wilkes-Barre LuzCo PA, Smallbones, CC0
- Luzerne Presbyterial Institute, John Jennings, Public domain
- George Guthrie School Wilkes-Barre LuzCo PA, Smallbones, CC0
- St. Stephen's Pro-Cathedral - Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 01, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Main Street wb in Swoyersville, PA (3), Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtdale Avenue wb at Cooper Street, Courtdale, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- PA 309 nb in Kingston Township (1), July 2026, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Entering Pringle, PA along Courtright Street, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtright Street sb in Pringle, PA (1), Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtright Street sb in Pringle, PA (2), Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- West Side Career and Technology Center, Pringle, PA side, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pringle, PA municipal building (2), Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pringle, PA municipal building (1), Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Pioneer Volunteer Fire Company building, Pringle, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- One-step-closer-giants-despair-music-video-behind-the-scenes-filming-photo-by-tyler-savitski, Tyler Savitski, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtdale Avenue wb in Courtdale, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Courtdale Avenue eb in Courtdale, PA, Sept. 2023, Mr. Matté (if there is an issue with this image, contact me using this image's Commons talk page , my Commons user talk page , or my English Wikipedia user talk page ; I'll know about it a lot faster), CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS065-E-241775 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS065-E-241774 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
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