Prior to 1800
Abel Yarington kept a tavern, probably the first in Wilkes-Barre, on River street below Market street. He came from Stonington, Connecticut, in 1772. He was the tax collector, and was the keeper of the Wilkes-Barre - Kingston ferry which ran opposite Northampton street. On the day of the Massacre he remained at his post to the latest hour of usefulness, and until the yells of the approaching savages sounded in his ears. Then he took his family in the ferry boat and descended the river to Sunbury. He died 27 June 1824, age 84.
Between 1802 - 1806
The first house down from the corner of Market and River streets was George Chahoon's. He was a house carpenter from Sunbury and for many years was the leading builder in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding township. He moved to the mouth of Hunlock's Creek, where he died some 32 years old.
Next came the residence of Arnold Colt, Esq., and his father-in-law Abel Yarrington. Arnold Colt was a Justice of the Peace, and somewhat of a humorist.
Prior to 1830
On the corner of Market and River street was the two story brick house and store built in 1818 by George Matson Hollenback, only son of Matthias.
On the corner of Market and River street was the two story brick house and store built in 1818 by George Matson Hollenback, only son of Matthias.
Next was the site of the Phoenix Hotel.
Next to the Phoenix was the Shoemaker house.
Next to the Phoenix was the Shoemaker house.
The home of Jacob Cist was next Mr. Cist was born in Philadelphia, 13 March 1783, educated at the Moravian Seminary at Nazereth, later assisting his father in his printing office. He came here in 1808 and was postmaster from 1808 to 1825; was associated in business with his father-in-law, Matthias Hollenback, for several years, devoting his spare time to literature and painting. Was much interested in the coal business, which he tried to introduce into the market. He was treasurer of Luzerne County in 1816, and for some years of the Bridge Company. He died 30 December 1823.
Next came the house of a Mr. Rudolph.
The southerly building in the block between Northampton and Market street was the Philadelphia Branch Bank, the first in Luzerne County, established in 1810.
After 1840
On the corner of Market andRiver streets was George M. Hollenback’s store and residence. It was a large brick building three stories high, occupied mainly as a residence. The corner rooms on the first floor was used as a store. Adjoining it on the south side was a two-story brick building, which for a number of years housed the Wyoming Bank.
Just about across from the Hollenback building was the old river bridge with its toll gatherer, Jacob Kutz, who was located there for so many years.
Next below the Wyoming Bank was the old Phoenix Hotel kept by Peter McGilchrist. The Phoenix Hotel was famed for its table. It was in the days when there were no games laws and when game was abundant. As soon as the weather permitted, game was supplied in large quantities from the neighboring mountains, and the larder of the Phoenix Hotel was always furnished during the cold season with venison, pheasant, quail and and occasional wild turkey. The hotel was fortunate in having an exceptionally good cook, and its patrons from the city were regaled with game cooked to the "queen's taste." The landlord, Gilchrist, presided at table, did the carving for his guests and looked after their comfort. The dinner table was always supplied withtwo bottles of brandy for such use as the guests might care to make of them.
Next was Eleazer Porter, who kept a barber shop about 1850.
Then low was Henry M. Fuller, who was later a member of Congress.
Next Andrew McClintock.
Next Chester Butler, who was a member of the State Senate, when he died.
Next was Judge Conyngham who left a brilliant record and a prominent family of sons and daughters.
Next below the Wyoming Bank was the old Phoenix Hotel kept by Peter McGilchrist. The Phoenix Hotel was famed for its table. It was in the days when there were no games laws and when game was abundant. As soon as the weather permitted, game was supplied in large quantities from the neighboring mountains, and the larder of the Phoenix Hotel was always furnished during the cold season with venison, pheasant, quail and and occasional wild turkey. The hotel was fortunate in having an exceptionally good cook, and its patrons from the city were regaled with game cooked to the "queen's taste." The landlord, Gilchrist, presided at table, did the carving for his guests and looked after their comfort. The dinner table was always supplied withtwo bottles of brandy for such use as the guests might care to make of them.
Next was Eleazer Porter, who kept a barber shop about 1850.
Then low was Henry M. Fuller, who was later a member of Congress.
Next Andrew McClintock.
Next Chester Butler, who was a member of the State Senate, when he died.
Next was Judge Conyngham who left a brilliant record and a prominent family of sons and daughters.
Next was Col. Wright, a prominent lawyer and Congressman
Then came was Elijah Reynolds, then a prominent merchant.
Next Judge Taylor.
1802 - 1806
Passing Northampton Street we come to the residence of Arnold Colt, Esq., and his father-in-law Abel Yarrington. Arnold Colt was a Justice of the Peace, and somewhat of a humorist withal.
The nest house above Colt's was that of George Chahoon. He was a house carpenter from Sunbury and for many years was the leading builder in Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding township. He removed to the mouth of Hunlock's Creek, where he died some 32 years old. He was a man of much enterprise and energy of character. (James A. Gordon)
Prior to 1830
The southerly building in the block between Northampton and Market street was the Philadelphia Branch Bank, the first in Luzerne County, established in 1810.
Next came the house of a Mr. Rudolph.
The home of Jacob Cist was next north, located where the McClintock house now stands. Mr. Cist was born in Philadelphia, 13 March 1783, educated at the Moravian Seminary at Nazereth, later assisting his father in his printing office. He came here in 1808 and was postmaster from 1808 to 1825; was associated in business with his father-in-law, Matthias Hollenbach, for several years, devoting his spare time to literature and painting. Was much interested in the coal business, which he tried to introduce into the market. He was treasurer of Luzerne County in 1816, and for some years of the Bridge Company. He died 30 December 1823.
Next to Cist's was the Shoemaker house adjoining the Phoenix Hotel, which was on the site of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company building.
On the corner of Market, now occupied by the Coal Exchange building, was the two story brick house and store built in 1818 by George Matson Hollenbach, only son of Matthias, born 1791. In 1819 he was county treasurer, and in 1840 a Presidential Elector on the Van Buren and Johnson ticket. He died 1886.
(Old Map)
Next to Cist's was the Shoemaker house adjoining the Phoenix Hotel, which was on the site of the Lehigh and Wilkes-Barre Coal Company building.
On the corner of Market, now occupied by the Coal Exchange building, was the two story brick house and store built in 1818 by George Matson Hollenbach, only son of Matthias, born 1791. In 1819 he was county treasurer, and in 1840 a Presidential Elector on the Van Buren and Johnson ticket. He died 1886.
(Old Map)
1840's
There was standing on the later site of the Coal Exchange, corner of River and Market streets, a large brick building three stories high, occupied mainly as a residence, but the corner rooms on the first floor as a store.
Adjoining it on the south side was a two-story brick building, which for a number of years housed the Wyoming Bank.
The home of John N. Conyngham, where he lived the greater part of his life, was about halfway down this block and later owned by Major Stearns.
On River street, abouit one hundred feet below Market street, was located the Phoenix Hotel, which was taken down more than fifty years ago and was succeded by the Wyoming Valley Hotel, which in its turn was removed a few years since and later replaced by the office building of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company.
The Phoenix Hotel in the forties and fities and some years earlier and later was famed for its table. It was in the days when there were no games laws and when game was abundant. As soon as the weather permitted, game was supplied in large quantities from the neighboring mountains, and the larder of the Phoenix Hotel was always furnished during the cold season with venison, pheasant, quail and and occasional wild turkey. The hotel was fortunate in having an exceptionally good cook, and its patrons from the city were regaled with game cooked to the "queen's taste."
The landlord, Gilchrist, presided at table, did the carving for his guests and looked after their comfort. The dinner table was always supplied withtwo bottles of brandy for such use as the guests might care to make of them. (George R. Bedford)
Adjoining it on the south side was a two-story brick building, which for a number of years housed the Wyoming Bank.
The home of John N. Conyngham, where he lived the greater part of his life, was about halfway down this block and later owned by Major Stearns.
On River street, abouit one hundred feet below Market street, was located the Phoenix Hotel, which was taken down more than fifty years ago and was succeded by the Wyoming Valley Hotel, which in its turn was removed a few years since and later replaced by the office building of the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Company.
The Phoenix Hotel in the forties and fities and some years earlier and later was famed for its table. It was in the days when there were no games laws and when game was abundant. As soon as the weather permitted, game was supplied in large quantities from the neighboring mountains, and the larder of the Phoenix Hotel was always furnished during the cold season with venison, pheasant, quail and and occasional wild turkey. The hotel was fortunate in having an exceptionally good cook, and its patrons from the city were regaled with game cooked to the "queen's taste."
The landlord, Gilchrist, presided at table, did the carving for his guests and looked after their comfort. The dinner table was always supplied withtwo bottles of brandy for such use as the guests might care to make of them. (George R. Bedford)
On the opposite corner was George M. Hollenback’s store and residence with the old Wyoming Bank in the building.
Next below was the old Phoenix Hotel kept by Peter McGilchrist.
The old river bridge must not be forgotten with its toll gatherer, Jacob Kutz, who was located there for so many years.
Continuing down River street, next below the Phoenix was a character in the person of Eleazer Porter, who kept a barber shop about 1850.
Next below was Henry M. Fuller, who was later a member of Congress.
Next Andrew McClintock.
Next Chester Butler, who was a member of the State Senate, when he died. Next was Judge Conyngham who left a brilliant record and a prominent family of sons and daughters.
Next below was was Col. Wright, a prominent lawyer and Congressman, and below him was Elijah Reynolds, then a prominent merchant.
Next Judge Taylor. (J. Bennett Smith)
