Grateful for remembrance on Memorial Day

In Brief

First Posted: 8/19/2013 Lackawanna County is celebrating its 135th birthday in style on Wednesday, Aug. 21, with balloons, a brief program and, of course, cake.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners, County Judges, former Commissioners and Row Officers will mark this historic occasion with a ceremony on the corner of North Washington Avenue and Spruce Street, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The location is significant because a few feet away is a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker that denotes the birthday of the County in 1878.
Ashley Yando, Assistant to Commissioner Jim Wansacz, will highlight the festivities by singing the County&#8217;s anthem. Remarks will be offered by Commissioner Corey D. O&#8217;Brien, Commissioner Wansacz and Commissioner Patrick M. O&#8217;Malley along with the introductions of the invited guests.
Following the program, the group will sing &#8220;Happy Birthday&#8221; and cut the cakes for distribution to the guests and the general public.
Cakes for the event were donated by Kathy Durkin, National Bakery, Lynn Sandy&#8217;s Cakes and Wegmans. Price Chopper participated in the event by providing a variety of set-ups.
The beginning of Lackawanna County was formed when the State Legislature passed an Act of Assembly on April 17, 1878 calling for a vote to determine if the residents of the Lackawanna Valley wanted to form their own County that was independent of Luzerne County. An election was held on August 13, 1878, at which time the referendum passed with a vote of 9,615 for and 1,986 against.
A Proclamation officially declaring the County established was signed by Governor John F. Hartranft on August 21, 1878. On October 24, 1878, the Courts were organized and opened, and the first election of County officials was held on November 4, 1879.

Lackawanna County to celebrate its 135th birthday