Historic Route 6 has probably been photographed to death. If you know what you are looking for and you google it, chances are you will find a slew of photographs to accompany any article.
I have always wanted to drive along the portion of Route 6 that flows through Northeastern Pennsylvania and give it my own photographic slant. Along the way I hope to do my own research and learn more than even I want to know about the little burgs and hamlets that snake off of Route 6 into the Endless Mountains.
I decided to start in Tunkhannock, and in the middle of Winter. That in itself should produce a large hurdle of weather patterns that only Northeastern Pennsylvania-ites have come to expect. By the time I reach the furthest locations, I'm hoping it will be Spring. The only hazards I'll have to worry about then would be getting behind a log truck on hilly Route 6 in a no passing zone.
All of my photos will be taken with a Nikon D300 camera using various lenses, but leaning toward my 70-300mm, my 50mm 1.8 and my 28mm 2.8 wide angle.
I have always wanted to drive along the portion of Route 6 that flows through Northeastern Pennsylvania and give it my own photographic slant. Along the way I hope to do my own research and learn more than even I want to know about the little burgs and hamlets that snake off of Route 6 into the Endless Mountains.
I decided to start in Tunkhannock, and in the middle of Winter. That in itself should produce a large hurdle of weather patterns that only Northeastern Pennsylvania-ites have come to expect. By the time I reach the furthest locations, I'm hoping it will be Spring. The only hazards I'll have to worry about then would be getting behind a log truck on hilly Route 6 in a no passing zone.
All of my photos will be taken with a Nikon D300 camera using various lenses, but leaning toward my 70-300mm, my 50mm 1.8 and my 28mm 2.8 wide angle.
History of Route 6
Pennsylvania’s Route 6 covers eleven counties and over 400 miles of roadway across northern PA. National Geographic named this span of road “one of America’s most scenic drives.”
In 1807, state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains to make it easier to travel to the western parts of the state. As the state branched out, so did the road, even going beyond the borders of Pennsylvania. According to the Route 6 visitor’s guide: “Carved out of hundreds of miles of wilderness, the road eventually united all of the county seats in Pennsylvania's northern tier. The fledgling highway quickly became a vital link between the industry of the west and the railroads in the east. Along its length sprung up charming villages, plentiful farming communities and thriving towns. In 1925, Route 6 in Pennsylvania was incorporated into a highway system that would connect the United States from coast to coast. Named US Route 6, the road stretched from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California. It became one of America's first transcontinental highways. Today the road remains one of the longest highways in the nation.”
In 1807, state officials mandated a road be cut through the Moosic Mountains to make it easier to travel to the western parts of the state. As the state branched out, so did the road, even going beyond the borders of Pennsylvania. According to the Route 6 visitor’s guide: “Carved out of hundreds of miles of wilderness, the road eventually united all of the county seats in Pennsylvania's northern tier. The fledgling highway quickly became a vital link between the industry of the west and the railroads in the east. Along its length sprung up charming villages, plentiful farming communities and thriving towns. In 1925, Route 6 in Pennsylvania was incorporated into a highway system that would connect the United States from coast to coast. Named US Route 6, the road stretched from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California. It became one of America's first transcontinental highways. Today the road remains one of the longest highways in the nation.”
Facts About Tunkhannock
Tunkhannock borough was organized in 1841, but it wasn’t until one year later (1842) that the county of Wyoming was formed from the county of Luzerne. Tunkhannock is located in Wyoming County. As of 2010, census data recorded population at just over 1800 people. Tunkhannock is the county seat of Wyoming County.
It has been archeologically proven that three principle tribes inhabited the area: the Lenni Lanapes, the Mingoes and the Shawnees. Tunkhannock shares its name with the name of a Delaware Indian village located at the mouth of Tunkhannock Creek in the mid-18th century. The name means "small stream."
It has been archeologically proven that three principle tribes inhabited the area: the Lenni Lanapes, the Mingoes and the Shawnees. Tunkhannock shares its name with the name of a Delaware Indian village located at the mouth of Tunkhannock Creek in the mid-18th century. The name means "small stream."
Tunkhannock Architecture
It occurs to me now, that the reason I am so attracted to the streets of Tunkhannock, has a lot to do with its architecture. We lived for a time near a small lake about four miles from the middle of Tunkhannock borough. It was hilly where we lived and I used to run about three miles, three times a week. So I would drive into Tunkhannock, park my car, and run its streets. You had to watch out for old slate sidewalks that were heaving up here and there, but mostly I would gape at the structures that surrounded me. Tunkhannock has one of the most beautiful courthouse buildings I have ever seen.
Originally constructed in 1843 by Thomas W. Parker, the building was 40 square feet and two stories high. The courthouse was redesigned in 1870 by architect D. R. Nott in the Italian Villa style. It is three stories and features hood arched windows, heavy/decorative knee braces supporting the eaves, an ornate clock tower and a stucco finish. Additions were made in 1937 and 1972 following the Nott's style.
Courthouse square is very large, running from Warren Street to Putnam Avenue. The houses surrounding courthouse square are part of the historic district, and there are many fine examples of Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival homes.
One of my favorite houses stands on Tioga Street (Route 6) and was built in 1896. The Piatt-Ogden House is a fully restored and maintained, example of Queen Anne style architecture. It was built by a prominent local attorney and is a three story frame house featuring many architectural points such as an irregular roof line, large wraparound porch with both a turreted and cross-gable roof line, and a cantilevered tower. The house was designed by architect George Franklin Barber of Knoxville, Tennessee, and was built by W. H. Shepard and Sons of Wilkes-Barre. It is pictured below.
Tunkhannock's businesses line both sides of Tioga Street. Many of the buildings they are housed in date back to the mid- and late nineteenth century. Two and three-story Victorian commercial buildings feature business space below and office or apartment space above. Brick facades are examples of variations on the Italianate and Victorian Romanesque Revival styles, with a larger number of upper stories featuring tall, round-arched windows.
The shopping district is populated by quaint, unique shops, which were still decorated for the holidays when I passed through.
One of the most popular eateries in Tunkhannock is Twigs. In the summer, outside tables line the section pictured below.
Other bistros, delis and yogurt shops can be found at the lower end of Tioga Street. There is also a movie theater - The Dietrich, which has its own rich history. You can easily spend a number of hours wandering the side streets of Tunkhannock, or head down toward the Susquehanna River and enjoy a bit of a stretch at Riverside Park.
Heading back to my car (there is free parking along the main thoroughfare and several parking lots scattered behind buildings around town), I spied these wonderful red church doors, and the welcoming door of a home on Tioga. I haven't decided, yet, where my next stop on Route 6 will be, but Tunkhannock never disappoints!
Heading back to my car (there is free parking along the main thoroughfare and several parking lots scattered behind buildings around town), I spied these wonderful red church doors, and the welcoming door of a home on Tioga. I haven't decided, yet, where my next stop on Route 6 will be, but Tunkhannock never disappoints!
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