A Wee Bit of History
(from History and Directory of Newton and Ransom Townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, 1754 – 1912)
In 1782, Providence became one of the townships of Northumberland county which had been organized in 1772, and embraced the territory in dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Upon the erection of Luzerne county four years later, it was included with its boundaries, but it was not organized into a township of that county until 1792, when it was separated from Pittston. As a township, Providence has become extinct. In April, 1819, a portion was set off as a part of Blakely; Jan. 4, 1829, the western portion was reannexed to Pittston township; March 14, 1849, Providence borough was erected from its territory; Hyde Park borough, May 4, 1852; Scranton borough, Feb. 14, 1856; Dunmore borough, April 10, 1862. The city of Scranton was incorporated April 23, 1866, which embraced within its limits all that then remained of the ancient township of Providence and the boroughs of Providence, Hyde Park and Scranton.
From the History of Dunmore Commemorative Seventy-Fifth Anniversary Book:
Roman Catholicism in Dunmore
Roman Catholicism took root in Dunmore with the building of the Gravity Railroad and the opening of the mines, which attracted the Irish Catholics from Carbondale to Dunmore. The first Catholics to come from Carbondale were: William Lynett, Anthony Melvin, Martin Higgins, James Flynn, Garrett Nash, Hugh Flynn, and Michael Crane. For a time they went to Scranton to attend services. In 1852, Reverend James Cullen established a Catholic mission in Dunmore, and the first mass was said at the home of Garrett Nash, continuing for some time until in 1855 the present church site was purchased from Charles Potter, as was the land for cemetery purposes. The church was dedicated in 1856 and was called Saint Simon the Apostle. James and Thomas Brehony, carpenters, who afterwards became priests worked on the structure. Reverend Father Moses Whitty said the first mass in the church. Reverend E. W. Fitzmaurice became the first resident priest serving until 1870, with Father Nathaniel McManus as his assistant. Reverend Michael O’Brien, a member of the first class ordained by Bishop O’Hara after the creation of the diocese of Scranton, was the next pastor, and reverend Michael Byrne his assistant. A short time after, during an outbreak of smallpox, Father O’Brien contracted the disease while attending a Catholic afflicted with the disease, and he died within a few days. Reverend Gerald McMurray, who succeeded Father O’Brien, remained as pastor until his death March 28, 1896. He built a new church, after the old structure was torn down, in 1872. His charge, until the year 1884, included all the territory east of Dunmore to Stroudsburg. One of his missions was at Gouldsboro. Moscow parish was carved out of the charge in 1884. The name of the Dunmore church and parish was changed to Saint Mary’s of Mount Carmel in the nineties.
Cemeteries
Dunmore is fortunate in possessing many beautiful cemeteries which are well kept, and conveniently located within its borders. The oldest cemetery is the Dunmore cemetery, located in the northern part of the borough on North Blakely Street, and considered one of the finest in Pennsylvania. It was started in 1828 when Levi Depuy set aside an acre of land for a burial ground. Gabriel Dunning, who died in 1828, was the first person to be buried in it. The cemetery now covers over 35 acres. It has a large receiving vault and beautiful mausoleums.
Mount Carmel cemetery, located on the O’Neill Highway, was planned in 1892 by Reverend Father McMurray and was surveyed by the W.A. Jenks. At that time 3000 lots were blessed by Bishop O’Hara.
Saint Mary’s Cemetery dates back to the time the church was built in 1855, and it is situated at the rear of the church on Chestnut Street. The land for the church and cemetery was purchased from Charles Potter.
The Greek Cemetery, a short distance below the Mount Carmel cemetery, was planned in 1919, and contains five acres of land.
The Forest Hill Cemetery, at the rear of Electric Street, is also a well known and beautiful cemetery
History of the police department
The Dunmore police department was organized in 1863 when the borough was incorporated. During these days the police patrolled the borough four hours each night. Their duties began at seven in the evening and ended at eleven.
In 1899 the first night force was organized. George Dierks was chief of the first permanent police department. The duties of the police began at 7:00 PM and ended at 7:00 AM. Chief Dierks served until 1900 when he resigned and was succeeded by Patrick J. Healey, who served until 1909.
In 1912 the department consisted of ten men; a chief, captain, seven patrolmen, and one’s sergeant. At that time John J. Burke was serving his third year as chief of police; Patrick J. Kays, was captain; Joseph Stewart, sergeant, and the patrolman were: James McDonnell, Patrick O’Hora, Michael Malia, Charles Lamb, John Powell, George Pfahler and John ”Coyle” Ferguson.
In those days one member of the department was assigned to day duty and his post was at Dunmore Corners. He worked from 6:00 in the morning and was not released until the night shift reported at 7:00. The sergeant, Joseph Stewart, whose duties were multiple, was stationed in the borough building from six in the morning until the night men reported for duty. Sergeant Stewart, besides relaying all police phone calls, cared for prisoners confined to the borough jail, and had many other duties that did not belong to the lot of a police official. In those days Chief Burke worked a 12 hour shift, supervising the patrol and responding to all calls. He devoted much of his time during the day to detective work and had but few hours for rest and recreation. With the small force in those days, Captain Kays and his patrolman covered every section of the borough, patrolling each beat twice a night.
… The salary of the patrolman in 1904 was $60 a month. In 1905 it was reduced to $55, and from that time until 1930 it was gradually raised until the police were paid $150 a month. A few years ago during the early days of the depression, the police, like other employees of the borough volunteered to take a ten percent reduction in wages and since then they are paid under $135 monthly.
History of the fire department
Prior to 1885 Dunmore depended upon bucket brigades for fire protection. However, the borough’s first company was organized on March 25, 1885, by a group of youngsters about sixteen years of age. It was called the Columbia Hose Company. About a month later they secured quarters in a small frame building in the rear of the Keystone Garden, a popular pleasure spot of that day, located on the present site of the Independent Hook and Ladder Company’s headquarters. Victor Burshel was elected foreman. On April 05, 1885, about 25 young men met and effected a permanent organization and decided to change the name to the Independent Hose Company, No. 1.
Memorial Day 1919
Dunmore honors its returning soldiers and sailors
Dunmore paid tribute to its hero dead and also celebrated in honor of her boys who had returned from the great world war. All public buildings and private homes of the thriving borough were gaily decorated for the occasion in which thousands of citizens participated
The big feature of the day was a large parade, which started at 2:00 in the afternoon from Green Ridge and Blakely streets and passed over the principle streets in the borough to Savage Field, where patriotic services were conducted. The parade was headed by the Red Cross workers in their natty uniforms. Behind them marched several hundred soldiers, sailors and other servicemen in uniform. Next in line were the members of the general committee and guests. The remainder of the first division was made up of industrial workers headed by the Erie band.
In the second division marched the schoolchildren of the borough behind the high school band. The children were attired in beautiful costumes of many varieties. There were several bands in the third division, which was made up of fraternal organizations. Members of the Dunmore fire department were in the fourth division in the fifth was given over entirely to floats
Following the dismissal of the parade the patriotic meeting was opened with the playing of the star spangled banner and other patriotic selections by the massed bands. During this period, the men were served with cigarettes, ice cream, sandwiches and cake and coffee by the canteen committee in conjunction with the Knights of Columbus
–Written by Margaret M. O’Hora and published by Dunmore Improvement Association which incidentally, included both of my grandfathers. Transcribed by C. Scott
O'Neill Highway 1938 ©scottphotos
