Water Street, Pittston circa 1908. Courtesy of the Historical Society.
I grew up in a very small town. Duryea was a stone's throw from Pittston.
Even though my address was in Duryea, our lives and our livelihood were always in Pittston. From small town American Theater (movies on the big screen), to Woolworth's (later Kresge's) department store, for me as a kid, the excitement of riding the bus to Pittston to shop with my grandmother, never got old.
Industrially, Pittston was a bustling mining town with a train station. Anthracite coal was an integral part of its framework. As with any industry, small businesses cropped up everywhere on Main Street. My grandfather and many in my extended family, worked in the mines as boys, and into a portion of their adulthood.
When I came along, nearly ALL of the women in my family were members of the ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union) and worked in the dress factories that became a prominent part of the landscape in and near Pittston. As a child, I was always well dressed, as garment workers had first pick and major discounts on new styles, if they worked in good factories with friendly supervisors.
Pittston Revitalizes
When anthracite fell by the wayside as a source of heat for the home, and the garment industry expanded to larger cities and abandoned small town life, Pittston found itself losing shops, storefronts and residents. At one point, you could drive down Main Street and see nothing but boarded up buildings, with a few die-hard store owners peppered in between.
Even though my address was in Duryea, our lives and our livelihood were always in Pittston. From small town American Theater (movies on the big screen), to Woolworth's (later Kresge's) department store, for me as a kid, the excitement of riding the bus to Pittston to shop with my grandmother, never got old.
Industrially, Pittston was a bustling mining town with a train station. Anthracite coal was an integral part of its framework. As with any industry, small businesses cropped up everywhere on Main Street. My grandfather and many in my extended family, worked in the mines as boys, and into a portion of their adulthood.
When I came along, nearly ALL of the women in my family were members of the ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union) and worked in the dress factories that became a prominent part of the landscape in and near Pittston. As a child, I was always well dressed, as garment workers had first pick and major discounts on new styles, if they worked in good factories with friendly supervisors.
Pittston Revitalizes
When anthracite fell by the wayside as a source of heat for the home, and the garment industry expanded to larger cities and abandoned small town life, Pittston found itself losing shops, storefronts and residents. At one point, you could drive down Main Street and see nothing but boarded up buildings, with a few die-hard store owners peppered in between.
The American Theater, circa 1957. Courtesy of the Historical Society.
Located on the banks of the Susquehanna River, Pittston surely had potential. Luckily, over the ensuing years, people who stayed fought to breathe life back into the city and surrounding areas. In 1996, a former mayor started Downtown Tomorrow, an organization looking to revitalize the look of the city one storefront at a time. Facade enhancement grants and other programs were put in place to begin the long journey back.
In 2013, the $9 million Rivers Edge condominium project broke ground. By 2016 its first residents had moved in.
In 2013, the $9 million Rivers Edge condominium project broke ground. By 2016 its first residents had moved in.
Condominium living area, courtesy of The Sunday Dispatch.
The now Redevelopment Authority, spurred along the creation of Riverfront Park, a lovely walking area along the Susquehanna, which is also a wonderful place to photograph people and pets.
Then Came Art
Pittston has fast become an art destination in the northeast. Public art ranges from painted fire hydrants and unique sculptures, to galleries and vast murals covering a multitude of buildings.
From May through October, artists and crafters can find plenty to see and discover at Second Friday Artwalks.
Then Came Art
Pittston has fast become an art destination in the northeast. Public art ranges from painted fire hydrants and unique sculptures, to galleries and vast murals covering a multitude of buildings.
From May through October, artists and crafters can find plenty to see and discover at Second Friday Artwalks.
Second Friday Artwalk vendor.
As a photographer, the art focus draws me to Pittston. From the Pittston Tomato Festival to downtown ethnic celebrations, the city has become a mecca for art lovers, who also like good food.
At the end of today's blog, you can find a short video of Pittston, that highlights many of the things Pittston is now known for.
But Those Murals
For me, the murals are stellar!
My favorite, the Inspiration Mural, was created by Michael Pilato and Yuriy Karabash. It's a 150 by 70 foot acrylic-based masterpiece that features and honors hometown heroes.
Below you can find a run down of some of the murals and pieces of the city I have photographed over the last few years.
At the end of today's blog, you can find a short video of Pittston, that highlights many of the things Pittston is now known for.
But Those Murals
For me, the murals are stellar!
My favorite, the Inspiration Mural, was created by Michael Pilato and Yuriy Karabash. It's a 150 by 70 foot acrylic-based masterpiece that features and honors hometown heroes.
Below you can find a run down of some of the murals and pieces of the city I have photographed over the last few years.
Pittston Inspiration Mural
An homage to Pittston industry.
Along a portion of Main Street, Pittston PA
Billie Becomes A Part of Pittston
We are presently in the middle of Winter. While you are reading this blog, we are probably going to have a high of 15 degrees on Friday, with wind chills in the single digits.
It's not a good time to photograph dogs in the outdoors.
However, a few years ago, I took Billie to Pittston for an attempt at photographing her in front of my favorite mural (Inspiration). After all, she is MY inspiration on a daily basis.
It's a difficult task, as this mural overlooks a well-used parking lot. Luckily, on the day I went, the parking lot was almost empty, Billie cooperated and I was able to get a photo of her with just a little finagling.
So here it is.
We are presently in the middle of Winter. While you are reading this blog, we are probably going to have a high of 15 degrees on Friday, with wind chills in the single digits.
It's not a good time to photograph dogs in the outdoors.
However, a few years ago, I took Billie to Pittston for an attempt at photographing her in front of my favorite mural (Inspiration). After all, she is MY inspiration on a daily basis.
It's a difficult task, as this mural overlooks a well-used parking lot. Luckily, on the day I went, the parking lot was almost empty, Billie cooperated and I was able to get a photo of her with just a little finagling.
So here it is.
Now doesn't she look like she belongs there?
I really think they needed a dog in there somewhere.
As promised, here is a short video about Pittston. Don't miss it. I think they did a very good job of giving outsiders a birds-eye-view of the city.
I really think they needed a dog in there somewhere.
As promised, here is a short video about Pittston. Don't miss it. I think they did a very good job of giving outsiders a birds-eye-view of the city.
Well, this has been a walk down memory lane for me. I am looking forward to warmer weather and more photography work in and around Pittston. I have the city on my agenda this year for family portraits, so I will be scoping out some locations in early Spring.
Click Into the Circle
I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic "what I love about my city," start here: She might call herself Atlanta's pet photographer, but this week Courtney of CM Bryson is sharing what she loves about her small town of Rutledge, GA located away from the bustle of the city. Then find the link at the end of each blog to click to the next photographer.
Hope your weekend is warmer than mine! Enjoy!
Click Into the Circle
I am part of a weekly blogging group of professional pet photographers located all over the planet. To see what others have blogged about in this week's topic "what I love about my city," start here: She might call herself Atlanta's pet photographer, but this week Courtney of CM Bryson is sharing what she loves about her small town of Rutledge, GA located away from the bustle of the city. Then find the link at the end of each blog to click to the next photographer.
Hope your weekend is warmer than mine! Enjoy!
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