MARKER ADVOCATES of TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE
COMMEMORATES:
The first schoolhouse, built of logs in 1831, established for Tobyhanna Township, near Soxville.
INSCRIPTION:
Our community pioneered public education before the state mandated it in 1834. A log schoolhouse was built in 1831, with Miss Sarah Winters as the first teacher. Few married women were employed in that era. By 1860, the township’s four schools each had an average attendance of 30 students. A school year of just four months permitted children to work on farms and in local businesses.
SPONSOR: Tobyhanna Township Supervisors
LOCATION: Route 115, Blakeslee, north of traffic light at Route 940 intersection, at A.A. Outfitters.
COORDINATES: 41° 05’ 45.2” N 75° 35’ 44.8” W
or 41.095904, -75.595767
GPS ADDRESS: 5728 Pa. Route 115, Blakeslee
READ MORE:
The first schoolhouse, built of logs in 1831, established for Tobyhanna Township, near Soxville.
INSCRIPTION:
Our community pioneered public education before the state mandated it in 1834. A log schoolhouse was built in 1831, with Miss Sarah Winters as the first teacher. Few married women were employed in that era. By 1860, the township’s four schools each had an average attendance of 30 students. A school year of just four months permitted children to work on farms and in local businesses.
SPONSOR: Tobyhanna Township Supervisors
LOCATION: Route 115, Blakeslee, north of traffic light at Route 940 intersection, at A.A. Outfitters.
COORDINATES: 41° 05’ 45.2” N 75° 35’ 44.8” W
or 41.095904, -75.595767
GPS ADDRESS: 5728 Pa. Route 115, Blakeslee
READ MORE:
TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP MARKERS:
- Agriculture
- Battle of Locust Ridge
- Blakeslee United Methodist Church
- Blakeslee Community Center
- Easton & Wilkes-Barre Turnpike
- Eschenbach Cemetery
- First Fire Company & Clymer Library
- First Schoolhouse
- Forest Products Industry
- General Sullivan Bridge
- The Great Swamp
- Harrison Amusement Park
- Hungry Hill
- Ice Harvesting Industry
- Isaac Stauffer – King of the Poconos
About the Tobyhanna Township Roadside Marker Program
The Tobyhanna Township Roadside Historical Marker Program is a community-wide, volunteer effort spearheaded by the Marker Advocates of Tobyhanna Township (MATT).
MATT is a nonprofit association dedicated to this program. Volunteers serving in committees seek the funding, research and write the text, install the markers, arrange for a public dedication and establish a long-term awareness campaign through a touring map and a web site.
Be part of our heritage — Donate an historical marker- Through identification of the important facets of our rich history ... existing and lost landmarks, important events and activities, and our people, we will realize the goal of a community-wide network of roadside historical markers. Our community can now and for future decades and generations appreciate our heritage.
- Each roadside historical marker will ensure the preservation of our local history and heritage, while providing an important educational opportunity that is accessible to the public, free of charge.
- This program will build community pride while enhancing “heritage tourism,” recognized as a strong and desirable sector of our economy.
Sponsors donating the full cost of a marker are permanently recognized on the bottom of the marker. Additional appreciation is shared with the community through a public dedication ceremony, as well as a touring map, web site and other materials.
For more information on becoming a sponsor:
Email us
For more information on becoming a sponsor:
Email us