Kmart Founder’s Life Begins, Ends Here
During this time of year, many people search for the perfect gifts at multi-level shopping malls and the Internet. There was a time, however, when neither mega malls nor the Internet existed, and everyone shopped at small ìmom and popî stores in downtown districts. Sebastian Spering Kresge started with a handful of such small stores called Kresge’s Five and Dime, and through profitable business practices, he went on to form the well-known retail company, K-Mart.
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Converted Quaker Builds Faith in 1800s
The Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, played an influential role in Monroe County’s history. The Quaker presence in Monroe County had its beginnings in Stroudsburg in the early 1800s. Read More...
A. Mitchell Palmer: Red Scare Infamy
Alexander Mitchell Palmer was born May 4, 1872 in Moosehead, Luzerne County, Pa. The Palmer family was native to Monroe County, having descended from Obadiah Palmer, a Quaker and early settler who worked for the Stroud Family. Read More...
Tanning Hides Once Big Business
September 09 , 2007 Filed in: Business | The Strouds
The tanning industry has been a part of Monroe County’s history since the early 1800s. Because of the rich supply of both hemlock and oak trees, tanning became an important part of the area’s economy. Monroe County residents would often take their animal skins to local tanners to be turned into workable leather ready for market. While many area tanneries were very small and served the local community, some worked as large-scale businesses, producing leather for the national market. Read More...
History of Local Temperance Movement
As early as the 1830s, Monroe County citizens became concerned with the effects of alcohol on the community. Public drunkenness and disorderly conduct were becoming more prominent. The Monroe County Temperance Union was founded in 1836 with Daniel Stroud serving as the organization’s leader. Under Stroud’s administration, the Temperance movement grew to 316 members in two years. Read More...
MCHA uses trunks to teach local history
The Monroe County Historical Association has seen visits from schools to its home on Main Street in Stroudsburg slip in recent years, so it is looking to turn the tables. The association secured $3,000 in grant funds from Target to create 19 traveling trunks, which are designed for fourth- through eighth-grade classrooms. Read More...
The Liberty Bell Stops In East Stroudsburg
Since its arrival in Philadelphia in 1752, the Liberty Bell has had great historical significance. William Penn created Pennsylvania with the guiding principle that citizens would have the right to practice their religion without persecution and that they would have the ability to create and enact their own laws. Read More...
Gilbert Polytechnic School in Polk Township
From the many one-room school houses active during the earlier years of Monroe County to the colleges and universities of today, the citizens of Monroe County have always had a high regard for education. For students interested in pursuing their studies beyond a general high school education, attending a post-secondary training school was necessary. Read More...
Daylight Saving Time Affected Monroe County
April 04 , 2007 Filed in: Monroe County
Daylight Saving Time and its enactment in Monroe County have an interesting history. In 1929, Pennsylvania decided that each county would determine if it would participate in Daylight Saving or not. Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg could not agree. Read More...
John Summerfield Staples and Abraham Lincoln
The Civil War affected the citizens of Monroe County as it did the nation. Men left their homes, families, and jobs to serve in the Union Army. Joining his fellow citizens, John Summerfield Staples fought in the Civil War – and became a celebrity.
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How Monroe County Got Its Name
February 02 , 2007 Filed in: Monroe County
On April 1, 1836, after nine long years of debate and discussion, Monroe County was formed from pieces of land cut from northern Northampton County and southern Pike County. Read More...
Ice Becomes an Industry in Poconos
January 01 , 2007 Filed in: Business
One hundred years ago, Monroe County was a leader in northeastern Pennsylvania’s ice production and distribution business. The ice was initially harvested from our lakes for use locally by both residents and resorts catering to tourists. As demand for ice grew, Monroe County ice companies began to transport their ice to areas outside Monroe County including New York and Philadelphia. Although it hasn’t been so this year, the freezing winter temperatures of the Poconos guaranteed a large crop of ice and provided employment to hundreds of local citizens throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Read More...