![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/slj-article-box-img-1.webp\"\/)
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
PITTSTON \u2014 Members of the Greater Pittston Historical Society (GPHS) developed a plan to place historical markers throughout the City of Pittston.<\/p>\n
The Historical Marker Program is designed to highlight important aspects of local history, to increase residents\u2019 sense of pride of place, to support cultural tourism throughout the county and region, to educate the public and to encourage the preservation of historic resources, according to Julio Caprari, GPHS president.<\/p>\n
Some of the initial proposed sites are: Pittston City Hall, Pittston Stove Works, American Theatre\/Eagle Hotel location, Alpine Knitting Mill\/Pittston Apparel location, Dime Bank & Trust\/Sunday Dispatch building, Eagle Firehouse, Pittston Gazette location, Howell & King Brewery location, PA Coal Co.\/Gravity Railroad location, and the Laurel Line Railroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a certain amount of fundraising, but there will also be contributions by business owners and the community,\u201d Caprari said. \u201cWe are looking for ideas, suggestions, donations and even those who would like to participate in the program.\u201d<\/p>\n
The markers will have QR codes taking you to a website that will tell the story of each location, so each marker will not be like typical historical markers you may find on building and roadways dotted all over the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n
Each marker will give you details and history of the building and\/or location.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the QR code, it will possibly give you photos, maps and the entire story of each landmark then what you will read on the 144 character marker,\u201d Caprari added. \u201cIt will give each observer a chance to get a better picture of what the City of Pittston used to look like decades or even a century or more ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the markers will be freestanding on a pole and some may be attached to a building.<\/p>\n
An example of the verbiage on a marker could read:<\/p>\n
Pittston\u2019s town & city halls<\/p>\n
\u201cThe roots of Pittston\u2019s seat of government trace back to January 1851 when the first Town Hall was set up in an upstairs room of the \u201cCalifornia Store\u201d at 28 South Main Street. This was 2 years before Pittston officially became a borough. The first structure built specifically for the purpose of housing Pittston\u2019s government offices and jail was built in 1867 on Water Street just east of the First Baptist Church directly on what is now Wharf Street. That building served as Pittston\u2019s Town Hall and City Hall after 1894 until 1942 when this City Hall was completed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adding the QR to the marker will get you a more in depth look into the history of City Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the community will get behind it,\u201d Caprari said. \u201cYou are going to have business owners step forward believing their building is historic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caprari, along with Ron Faraday and Jim McFarland, fellow GPHS officers all agree future historical marker walking tours could be planned.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis could be a fun project and it\u2019s educational, it\u2019s fun, it validates the history of our city and how far we\u2019ve come and it goes along with the renaissance of what\u2019s happening with the city,\u201d Caprari said.<\/p>\n
Caprari, Faraday, and McFarland all agree, the marker project could be an ongoing program where markers could be added each year.<\/p>\n
If you are looking or interested in helping or have any questions on the historical marker program, you can find additional information on the GPHS Facebook page or the historical society\u2019s website at greaterpittstonhistory.org.<\/p>\n
You may also contact Julio Caprari by phoning him at 570-592-3966.<\/p>\n
If making a donation to the project, send a tax-deductible donation to: The Historical Marker Program, 47 Broad St., Pittston Memorial Library lower level, Pittston, PA 18640.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Local journalism matters, and your support makes it possible. You can help sustain this work by making a donation or choosing one of our subscription options. Subscribers enjoy valuable benefits, including full access to our e-edition, a reduced ad experience on timesleader.com, and more.<\/p>\n
Your support helps ensure independent, high-quality local news remains available today and for future generations. Thank you for standing with local journalism. \n<\/p>\n