Kingston Photo Tour (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Back Mountain: cul-de-sac, middle-class, Valentine's day)

[ScranBarre]

Good afternoon everyone! It was another happy, sunshiney day here in NEPA while I was snapping my latest photo tour (the clouds have since moved in). Today I headed down to Kingston, Downtown Wilkes-Barre's innermost suburb, to allow the pollen wafting by to coat my sunglasses and to smile as butterflies flew past me. I passed by younger runners/joggers, groups of young children being escorted by teachers for a walk while holding hands, middle-aged power-walkers, and postal carriers who were stopping to chat with homeowners who were perched in front porch swings. This is what America is supposed to be like---not the fake, manufactured, "keep up with the Jones's" sterile cul-de-sacs that are so prevalent in the Back Mountain, Mountain Top, The Abingtons, Glenmaura, Harmony Hills, etc.

Kingston is a community of just under 14,000 residents and is located opposite the Susquehanna River from Wilkes-Barre, the "Diamond City." Demographically, the town's incomes are "in-line" with the rest of the surrounding region (median family income of $46,000), but I was getting an aura of "wealth" oozing out of many city blocks here, where many professional landscapers were hard at work manicuring tidy front lawns and BMWs and Audis adorned the streets and driveways. A lot of town residents commute just over the Market Street Bridge to their jobs at major employers in Downtown Wilkes-Barre such as Guard Insurance, CONVERGYS, King's College, Wilkes University, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Pepperjam, The Times-Leader, Luzerne County Courthouse, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, etc. I personally know of a few professors of mine who live just across the river in Kingston and walk or bike to work on nicer days. The town is home to a lot of upper-middle-class professional types, such as architects, accountants, engineers, attorneys, physicians, insurance agents, professors, teachers, veterinarians, bank executives, retail managers, editors, etc. It is also relatively self-sufficient, with a healthy mix of shops, restaurants, houses of worship, and services. The sidewalks in town permit one to leave their front door and have just about any and every convenience with a mile's walk.

The entire town was ravaged by the major 1972 Hurricane Agnes Flood, but as you walk the streets just 35 years later (almost to the exact day), no vestiges of the flood remain. Just last year the entire town was once again placed under a mandatory evacuation as the Susquehanna River threatened to destroy the levee system that protects the Wyoming Valley, but, thankfully, Binghamton, NY, upstream, flooded and spared us the brunt of the problems. Nevertheless, I'd recommend any potential new residents investigate the possibility of paying for flood insurance protection just for "peace of mind."

Kingston is part of the "average" Wyoming Valley West School District. It is also home to Wyoming Seminary, which is considered one of the top private college-preparatory schools in the nation, as well as Bishop O'Reilly Catholic High School, which will be closing next week as it is merged into the new Holy Redeemer High School in Downtown Wilkes-Barre. (I believe they are talking about refurbishing the soon-to-be vacant school building into apartments for the elderly). The community is mostly SWASC (Straight White Anglo-Saxon Christian) in nature, but it also has pockets of Asian-Americans and Jewish people in its boundaries, which adds a touch of welcomed diversity to the town.

The town also sits along the North Cross Valley Expressway, which could have Kingston residents at the Wyoming Valley Mall and its surrounding corridor of "big-box" stores in about ten minutes. Crime is minimal, even though there is a growing drug problem here, mostly to the west of Wyoming Avenue in the less-affluent portions of town. A new Lowe's Home Improvement store just opened right across the town line in Edwardsville, and this store is expected to revitalize Edwardsville's once-vacant strip malls (that were killed by the Wyoming Valley Mall), with new stores and restaurants, which will also benefit Kingstonians.

I hope you enjoy my photo tour of Kingston as much as I enjoyed snapping it! I know I left out a few important photos from the town (such as Wyoming Seminary), but I maxed-out my camera's memory card and was aching in pain from a blister on my foot (I must have walked 7 or 8 miles today all over the town). Since I'm noticing that people seem to be viewing and/or replying to my tours less and less as of late, please let me know if they're starting to annoy you more than benefit you. Thanks!


Kingston, PA Web Site: Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Association and Municipal Associate Membership



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[ScranBarre]

Here are some photos I took of Wyoming Avenue (U.S. Route 11), as it passes through Kingston from Forty Fort in the north to Edwardsville in the south. This wide, busy artery is lined with dozens of businesses, ranging from car dealers to banks to medical offices and everything in between. A lot of people like to "cruise" this road, which is affectionately known to the locals as simply "The Ave," especially on Sundays in order to show off their classic cars, sports cars, motorcycles, etc. The roadway is often-congested, as was evident today when I was scuttling back and forth across it to snap my photos. I parked my car at the Walgreen's at the corner of Wyoming Avenue & Market Street, at which point I purchased new batteries for my camera and walked northward along the avenue to the overpass for the North Cross Valley Expressway, which delineates Kingston from its northern neighbor of Forty Fort. I then snapped photos from north to south along this roadway.


Gertrude Hawk Chocolates, a local favorite, which is based in the Scranton suburb of Dunmore and has various retail outlets throughout the region.
Web Site: Gertrude Hawk Chocolates: Chocolate and Gifts from Gertrude Hawk Chocolates


Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Web Site: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church | Home


Rainbow Jewelers. Contrary to what the name might imply, this store is owned by heterosexuals. LOL!
Web Site: Rainbow Jewelers Kingston Pennsylvania


E.M. Foley Gift Shoppe, along with an accompanying window-shopper.
(I couldn't have planned that timing better if I had tried!)
Web Site: E. M. Foley Jewelry & Gift Shoppe


Gwen's Avenue Salon


Cook's Pharmacy, a local chain that has managed to persevere in spite of being near CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreen's due to its great customer service and delivery service.


One Pound Cheesesteaks, which is celebrating its grand opening (along with various other new businesses in this thriving town).


Abe's Hot Dogs, a long-time fixture and favorite lunch hot-spot along "The Ave."


Kingston VFW Post 283. They're veterans who valiantly served our nation, so I'll excuse their botched spelling of "Karaoke" on the sign in the lower-left.


Thomas' Family Market and the adjoining Beijing Chinese Restaurant


How does everyone like my new car?


Rayco Eurospec Motorcars, which specializes in Ferraris, Porsches, Saabs, Volvos, BMWs, and other higher-end vehicles that are the favorites of many Kingston residents (judging by their driveways).
Web Site: Rayco Eurospec Motorcars | Welcome!


The Tudor Bookstore & Cafe, an intellectual hot-spot. Its sister store in Clarks Summit closed recently due to stiff competition from Borders and Barnes & Noble, but I'm hoping this unique little treasure can continue to persevere against the "big-boys."
Web Site: The Tudor Book Shop - perfect, personal, and unique invitations, from start to finish


Elegant Eyewear (right), Bonner Chevrolet (left).
Web Site: Elegant Eyewear
Web Site: Bonner Chevrolet, a Kingston Chevrolet dealer new car used car PA Chevrolet dealership


The new Kingston Fire Department


A former stately mansion converted into professional space.


Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, where I flew out of my mother's womb back in 1986 (for better or for worse! LOL!)


Dorranceton United Methodist Church


Dairy Queen. I stopped here to enjoy my nutritious lunch that consisted of a large chocolate shake. Yummy!


Kingston Municipal Building


Law Firm of Dougherty, Leventhal, and Price (They also have a firm on Montage Mountain)
Web Site: Injury? Call DLP - Dougherty, Leventhal & Price - Serious Injury, Truck Accident Lawyers, Pennsylvania* Car Accident Attorney, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice,* Lawsuits. Scranton, Moosic, Kingston, Hazleton, Honesdale, Dunmore, Pittston, Wilkes


Two historic homes, one of which was being restored.


An awesome ivy-covered brick masterpiece along "The Ave."


The Woodhouse Day Spa
Web Site: Woodhouse Day Spa - Kingston, Pennsylvania


Kingston American Legion


Kingston Veterinary Clinic (which complements the West Side Animal Hospital on nearby Market Street).


Betty Kanarr Realty, J.F. Jewelery, and an accounting firm.


Duvall Leather and Rick's Tailoring
Web Site: Home


Looking down Wyoming Avenue towards Kingston Corners (Market Street intersection). You can see Keefer's Army/Navy Store on your right, a banner strewn across the street that advertises the upcoming St. Ignatius Church Bazaar, as well as a block of mom-and-pop stores on your left, including Yurish Music Center and an upcoming art gallery.


The Hoyt Library. The central wing was destroyed during the massive Valentine's Day Blizzard of 2007 when the heavy weight of the ice and snow on the roof caused it to collapse (thankfully when it was closed). It is still undergoing renovations at this time.
Web Site: Welcome to the Hoyt Library


An elderly apartment high-rise along Wyoming Avenue near Kingston Corners, the unofficial "downtown" of Kingston.

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[ScranBarre]

From Kingston Corners I turned east along Market Street and headed towards Downtown Wilkes-Barre. This street is Kingston's other "main drag," as it funnels commuters from the West Side into the Diamond City via the Market Street Bridge. It is also a wide, congested artery that is speed-prone (between commuters trying to "beat the lights" and teenagers drag-racing).


A small strip mall on the SE corner of Wyoming & Market that houses, from left to right, Michael J. Garnett Insurance (our family's agent), Curves Fitness Center for Women, Shooze, and Simon & Company Jewelers.
Web Site: http://www.michaelgarnett.com
Web Site: Simon and Company Jewelers
Web Site: Curves International - Home



Tommy's Pizza Corner, a Kingston staple on the corner of Market & Rutter.


Panache


The two-story Pennstar Bank.


Mattern's Flora and Furnishings


Amber Lantern Bar


Dagwood's Deli & Subs and a vacant building next-door (Hint, hint lurking potential investors!)


CVS Pharmacy


The Bray Building, home to Cee-Kay Auto Parts, Vintage, Allstate Insurance, and Rita's Italian Ice.


Rebennack Appliances


An attractive, modern office building.


A building which houses Sylvan Learning Center, Grico's Restaurant, and professional space.


Kingston Armory. WNEP-TV's white Subaru Forester was here when I walked by; I'm hoping more of our brave men and women aren't being sent off to Iraq in this never-ending war. STUPID BUSH!



A pair of scenes from Kirby Park.


The view of the Wilkes-Barre skyline to Kingston commuters as they cross the Market Street Bridge into downtown.

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[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

The entire town was ravaged by the major 1972 Hurricane Agnes Flood, but as you walk the streets just 35 years later (almost to the exact day), no vestiges of the flood remain. Just last year the entire town was once again placed under a mandatory evacuation as the Susquehanna River threatened to destroy the levee system that protects the Wyoming Valley, but, thankfully, Binghamton, NY, upstream, flooded ....

Binghamton, NY.... hmmmm.... was it a mercy killing?

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

A new Lowe's Home Improvement store just opened right across the town line in Edwardsville, and this store is expected to revitalize Edwardsville's once-vacant strip malls (that were killed by the Wyoming Valley Mall)...

"Hmmm," he said ponderingly, "dead strip malls." Sounds like another mercy killing to me.

Kingston, PA .... the Euthanesia capital of the America!

[ScranBarre]

Shown here are some residential scenes from along the city's middle-class side streets, to the east of Wyoming Avenue.














North Dawes Avenue, Davis Street, First Avenue, Second Avenue, Third Avenue, East Hoyt Street


Gelpia'z Restaurant & Manhattan Lounge, Ridge Avenue

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[ScranBarre]

Next I headed into the Kingston Historic District, which is bounded roughly by Reynolds Street on the south, Wyoming Avenue on the west, Lathrop Street to the north, and North Gates Avene to the east. If you liked my "Garden Village Photo Tour," then you'll love Kingston's historic district. This area also includes James, Butler, and East Dorrance Streets, as well as Ford, Charles, Westmoreland, Gibson, and Warren Avenues, as well as a portion of Rutter Avenue.


















































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[ScranBarre]

Shown here are the Dorranceton* Townhomes , which are new constructions and sit upon the site of the former abandoned Dorranceton School on Rutter Avenue. These units are ultra-modern, have rear-parking, and are priced in the upper-$200k range.

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[ScranBarre]

Theo's Metro, a Greek restaurant housed in a historic former popcorn factory along Mercer Avenue.
Web Site: Mediterranean and American Food and Cuisine. Kingston, Pennsylvania


A patriotic scene along Church Street.



















Some shots from along Rutter Avenue and Lathrop Street


Goldstein's Deli, a Kingston staple on the corner of Rutter & Pierce.


(END)

[MollyMe]

Ohhhh!!! I was hoping to see Seminary. I used to work there. It was nice to see Kingston again. I haven't been there since Winter 2003.

[Baltic_Celt]

Hello SWB & Everyone -

Am I the only one who can't see the majority of these pics? Has there been any other similar feedback? I've reloaded several times & returned to this post on subsequent days, but to no avail. I can see pics through the Dairy Queen & then see only boxes with a red "x". I have the same problem with the photo tour posted before this one, too. Anyone else?

Thank you... VV