Back to South Main

Before 1800

From Public Square to Northampton, there only one house, the tavern.

1802 - 1806
In 1804 there were no buildings down Main to the old "Wyoming" Hotel.

Prior to 1830
Ziba Smith lived and had a store on the corner of the South Main street and Public Square;

Next was the office of the "Susquehanna Democrat", published by Samuel Maffett, who was born 7 July, 1789, in Lycoming County, came to Wilkes-Barre about 1809, and died here, 15 August, 1825;

Then came the store of A. Jacks;

Next was the Christel (or Wyoming Hotel). Doctor Charles Christel moved to Wilkes-Barre from Hanover Twp. in 1824 and operated this hotel until his death February 21, 1838;

Then came the home of Henry Cady, Christel's son-in-law. Hewas one of Wilkes-Barre's principal merchants until about 1831;

Next toward the square was the home of Mr. Jermain;

The first house built in Wilkes-Barre stood on the southwest corner of Main at Northampton street.

On the east side of South Main, a little down from Public Square was the house of Thomas Dyer. He was Postmaster in 1802, and kept the office there;

Then came Mr. Covell's home;

Toward Northampton street was the cabinet shop of J. Dennis.

After 1840

On the corner South Main Street and Public Square was the store of John B. Wood;

The next building was owned by William R. Maffett;

Then came the shoe store of Mr. Bound on the corner of the alley;

Then the brick block occupied as a general store by E. W. Reynolds. Henry Pettebone kept a store in the same building and lived in a frame house that stood back from the street below the store. It was called the Allen Jack House.

Then came Davids shoe store and dwelling. He raised a large family of children but they belonged to somebody else. They never had any of their own;

Then next was the old Wyoming Hotel and stables. Later Jacob Bertles moved in and was proprietor for many years;

Next was Caleb B. Fisher’s store;

On the corner were two or three small buildings owned by Robert Kilmer as cabinet shops.

On the east side of South Main, down from Public Square, Squire Dyer. He was very eccentric and had a colored housekeeper called “Old Hanner”. She always wore a red bandana handkerchief on her head, and she was a terror to the boy who stole the Squire’s fruit.

then Dr. Covell’s;

then a small stone house;

Next was a small store at the corner of Dennis alley, kept by Mr. Hogenbaum;

Then came Jacob Dennis building, where Nathan Barney taught school;

Next came Miss Perry’s brick house on the corner.

1802 - 1806

In 1804 there were no buildings down Main to the old "Wyoming" Hotel. (James A. Gordon)

Prior to 1830

The first house built in Wilkes-Barre stood on the southwest corner of Main at Northampton street.

Next toward the square was the home of Mr. Jermain.

Then came the home of H. Cady.

Next was the Chrystel Hotel, later the site of the store of Fowler, Dick and Walker.

Then came the store of A. Jacks.

Next was the office of the "Susquehanna Democrat", published by Samuel Maffett, who was born 7 July, 1789, in Lycoming County, came to Wilkes-Barre about 1809, and died here, 15 August, 1825.

Ziba Smith lived on the corner of the square, later occupied by the United Cigar Store.

North of Northampton street on the east side of Main came was the cabinet shop of J. Dennis.

Then came Mr. Covell's home.

Then came the house of Thomas Dyer Postmaster in 1802, who kept the office here.
(Old Map)

1840's

Main street, on its westerly side, from the square to Northampton street, was taken up by business buildings.

On its easterly side it was altogether occupied by residences... (George R. Bedford)