How did you pronounce that?


Wilkes-Barre 1889 (source)

I have heard Wilkes-Barre pronounced two ways.  I have also gotten very strange looks when I have pronounced it a certain way.  Imagine my surprise when I came across this article entitled:  “So, how do you pronounce Wilkes-Barre?”  According to the article there are two accepted ways to say the town’s name:  "Wilkes-BERRY" and "Wilkes-BEAR".

Wilkes-Barre is named in honor of John Wilkes and Isaac Barre, British Parliament members. Wilkes-Barre was first named in 1769 by Major John Durkee.



Wilkes-Barre is *supposedly the town where Hugh Roberts(1) died. 

*Supposedly because there are no records that prove this fact.  But there are no records that do NOT prove this fact. 
 


So, now you know!

source:
http://www.wilkes-barre.pa.us/wbpro.php
City of Wilkes-Barre web site 

Other helpful web sites:

Luzerne County Historical Society
Pennsylvania Genealogy, Wilkes-Barre
Pennsylvania Wanderings:  Luzerne County Historical Society
Genealogy Trails:  Luzerne County Pennsylvania
19th Century Wilkes-Barre blog
Wilkes-Barre Cemeteries
Delaware, Leigh, and Wyoming Valleys:  Things to Do and See

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