Introduction Plymouth, Pennsylvania sits on the west side of Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley, wedged between the Susquehanna River and the Shawnee Mountain range. Just below the mountain are hills that surround the town and form a natural amphitheater that separates the town from the rest of the valley. Below the hills, the flat lands are formed in the shape of a frying pan, the pan being the Shawnee flats, once the center of the town's agricultural activities, and the handle being a spit of narrow land extending east from the flats, where the center of town is located.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Plymouth's primary industry was agriculture, and many of its residents were the descendants of the Connecticut Yankees who first settled the town. Its early architecture resembled that of a small New England village. However, vast anthracite coal beds lay below the surface at various depths, and by the 1850s, coal mining was the town's primary occupation, attracting a more diverse population. After the arrival of the railroad in 1857, the town's architecture became more typical of a growing industrial center.
Notable buildings (1780–1860) Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesMorse Tavern (a.k.a. Jenkins House) 1873 PhotoEast Main St. across from Elm StreetBuilt c. 1780DemolishedResidence/Tavern of Dr. Anna Morse
Partly Demolished December 1882.The Daily Union Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), December 21, 1882, page 1, col 2.
'Old Jenkins House' moved in March 1883.The Wilkes-Barre Telephone, March 1, 1883, page 2.
House Demolished 1883–1884.
Elm tree cut down September 1895.The Scranton Republican, May 25, 1896, page 8. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesOld Stone HouseUndated PhotoWest Main St. below Coal St.Built c. 1780ExtantMethodist congregation met there in 1792.Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, January 7, 1936, page 3. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesRansom House 1873 PhotoWest Main St. near Coal StreetBuilt c. 1800Demolished after 1873An example of New England domestic architecture brought to Plymouth by Connecticut settlers. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesWadhams Homestead 1864 Map
1873 Photo
2007 PhotoAcademy St., near Shawnee AvenueBuilt c. 1810Extant, but much altered1864: On Schooley Map as "Wadhams Homestead"
1873: On Beers Map as "Wadhams Homestead"
1915: "although it has been changed in appearance and altered to suit the requirements of tenants, [it] is apparently in as good condition as ever."Samuel Livingston French, Reminiscences of Plymouth, Penna., 1915, page 38. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesThe Old Academy 1873 Photo
Photo About 1875West Main St., at Academy StreetBuilt 1815Converted to Tenements by 1896.The Wilkes-Barre Record, March 3, 1922, page 12. Demolished c. 19551815: Built with funds, and on land, provided by Calvin Wadhams. School use lower floor & Church use upper floor 1873: Both upper & lower floors assigned for School use
1884: Plymouth Borough gave the Old Academy to the Lehigh & Wilkes-Barre Coal Co., in trade for the land at Shawnee Avenue on which the First High School (Central School) was built in 1884.The Wilkes-Barre Record, February 13, 1925, page 23. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesJoseph Wright House 1873 Photo
1937 PhotoWest Main St., below Coal StreetBuilt c. 1815DemolishedJoseph Wright was the father of Hendrick Bradley Wright. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesHenderson Gaylord House 1873 Photo
1935 Photo
2007 Photo135 West Main Street near Wadhams StreetBuilt c. 1830Extant but altered Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesJameson Harvey House 1864 Painting
1938 PhotoMcDonald St. near West Nanticoke, PABuilt 1832Extant but alteredBarn (now a residence) sits across the street Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesElijah C. Wadhams House (a.k.a. Parrish House Hotel) 1864 Map
1884 Aerial Map
1873 Photo Main Street east of Academy StreetBuilt c. 1852.Samuel L. French, Reminiscences of Plymouth, PA (1915), page 23.Demolished1852: Built by _____ Bennett 1873: Sold by E.C. Wadhams
1875: Converted to a hotel by A.M. Jeffords.Daily Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre, PA), June 9, 1875, page 4. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesMethodist Church (First Church Building) Photo 1856—1876Main Street across from Academy StreetDedicated October 8, 1856.Daily Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre, PA), October 6, 1874, page 3.Dismantled and relocated in 1876–1877Dismantled and rebuilt at Forty Fort, PA, and rededicated 1877,The Union Leader, September 20, 1877, page 3. but destroyed by fire June 2, 1900.Samuel L. French, Reminiscences of Plymouth, PA (1915), page 22.Wilkes-Barre Record, June 2, 1900, page 5. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesChristian Church Photo about 1904
Photo 2009Main Street near Center AvenueDedicated August 1857.Extant (as of 2022)1857: building attributed to Thomas U. Walter, Architect
1888: alterations to entrance portico
1905: rededicated with new facade and added steeple Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesDerby's Foundry Photo 1920West Railroad St., near Hanover St.Built 1860Demolished1860: Built by John F. Derby as a foundry 1870: Converted to a planing mill and lumber yard
1873: On Beers Map as "Harvey Bros. & Kern"
1912: On Sanborn Map as "West Lumber & Mfgr"
1925: On Sanborn Map as "Plymouth Lumber Co" Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition Notes
Notable buildings (1861–1880) Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesFirst National Bank (First Building)Photo c. 1875
Photo About 1904Main Street below Gaylord AvenueBuilt c. 1865Replaced by New Building in 1915 Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition Notes First Presbyterian Church1910 Postcard
1910 PostcardChurch StreetFoundation 1866 Dedicated June 13, 1868DemolishedMasonry Entrance and Steeple added between 1884–1891
Architect of Sunday School Annex (Built 1896): Harry Livingston French.The Wilkes-Barre Record, July 7, 1896, page 8. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition Notes First Welsh Baptist Church (First Church Building)1873 MapGirard Avenue at Ashley StreetBuilt 1870Destroyed by fire in 1875.The Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, PA), March 4, 1916, page 10.Brick structure designed by Welsh-born, Wilkes-Barre architect Aneurin Jones (1822–1904).The Luzerne Union, September 21, 1870, p. 2"Plymouth," Scranton Republican, December 1, 1870, p. 3 The Congregation relocated to Shawnee Avenue after 1875 fire Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesSmith Opera House 1873 Photo
1884 Sketch
1918 PhotoWest Main StreetBuilt 1871Collapsed During Renovation in 1918Replaced by Polish Alliance Hall in 1928 Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesWillow St School (First School Building) 1873 Map
1884 Aerial MapWillow StreetLand purchased 1870.Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, April 22, 1961, page 6. Built 1872.Demolished April 1892 after mine subsidence.Wilkes-Barre Record, March 31, 1892, page 7.Replaced by new school building in 1892 Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFranklin Street School 1884 Aerial Map
1920 PhotoFranklin StreetBuilt 1872.ExtantEnlarged in 1900 by architect Harry Livingston French.Wilkes-Barre Record, March 15, 1900, page 11. Sold by School Board 1978. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesSt. Vincent's R.C. Church (First Church Building) Photo c. 1883
1884 Aerial MapChurch StreetDedicated October 1872.The Luzerne Union, October 23, 1872, Page 3.Demolished March 1922.Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, March 25, 1922, Page 13.Became a school building about 1883 Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFirst Primitive Methodist Church 1909 PhotoChurch Street at Cherry StreetDedicated May 11, 1873. Rev. John H. Acornley, A History of the Primitive Methodist Church (1909).Extant (2021)Altered and elevated June 1887.Wilkes-Barre Record, June 27, 1887, page 4. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesShawnee Cemetery 1908 PhotoMountain RoadEstablished September 5, 1873.History of Luzerne, Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties, Pa. (New York, New York: W.W. Munsell & Co., 1980).ExtantAn example of landscape design. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesWelsh Presbyterian Church (aka Gaylord Ave Presbyterian Church)1873 Photo
1884 Aerial Map115 Gaylord AvenueDedicated December 1873.Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, December 18, 1948, page 3.Since 1994 Home of Plymouth Historical SocietyCongregation was chartered June 1868 Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesWelsh Hill Cemetery (St. Vincent's Cemetery) Cemetery Street at Barney StreetDedicated 1874.Abandoned.Graves relocated to new cemetery in 1911. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFirst Water Dam (Coal Creek No. 1 Reservoir)Coal CreekBuilt 1876.Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, June 2, 1886, Page 2.DemolishedJames H. Brown, engineer; Coon Brothers, builder. The dam was 80 feet long and 15 feet deep Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesSecond Water Dam (Coal Creek No. 2 Reservoir)Coal CreekBuilt 1876.DemolishedJames H. Brown, engineer; Coon Brothers, builder. The dam was 110 feet long and 20 feet deep Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFirst Welsh Baptist Church (Second Church Building)1884 Aerial MapWest Shawnee Avenue at Girard AvenueBuilt 1876.The Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, PA), March 4, 1916, page 10. ExtantSunday School Annex Added in 1916.The Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, PA), March 4, 1916, page 10. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesMethodist Church (Second Church Building) Photo August 1877
Photo c. 1890
1902 MapWest Main Street across from Academy StreetBuilt 1876–1877; dedicated January 9, 1878.Record of the Times, January 10, 1878, page 4.ExtantArchitect: Charles Vandergrift.The Weekly Star (Plymouth, PA), January 26, 1876, page 5. Photo by E.W. Beckwith illustrates the church nearing completion during labor strife of 1877 when troops were stationed in Plymouth.See: Samuel L. French, Reminiscences of Plymouth, PA (1915), pages 89-90. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesThird Water Dam (Coal Creek No. 3 Reservoir)Coal CreekBuilt 1878.DemolishedJames H. Brown, engineer; Coon Brothers, builder: Coon Brothers.The Weekly Star (Plymouth, Pennsylvania), September 20, 1876, page 5. The dam was 130 feet long and 25 feet deep. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFourth Water Dam (Coal Creek No. 4 Reservoir)Coal CreekBuilt About 1879.DemolishedJames H. Brown, engineer; Coon Brothers, builder. The dam was 330 feet long and 12 feet deep. Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesVine Street School (First School Building) 1884 Aerial Map
1896 photoVine StreetBuilt 1880Demolished 1927Builder: Plymouth Planing Mill.Record of the Times (Wilkes-Barre), July 2, 1880, page 4. Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition Notes
Notable buildings (1881–1900) Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesSt. Stephen's Convent1904 PhotoWest Main Street at Wadhams StreetBuilt c. 1881 (between 1879–1884)Extant (2021) Name Image Image DateLocation Year Built Current Condition NotesGerman Reformed Church1884 Aerial MapWillow StreetDedicated November 5, 1882.Sunday News (Wilkes-Barre), October 8, 1882, page 5.Extant (2022) Name Image Image Date Location Year Built Current Condition NotesFranklin Street Primitive Methodist Church