Editing Freeland, Pennsylvania (section)

==History==
===Establishment===
[[Image:1873 foster township.jpg|thumb|left|upright|1873 map of [[Foster Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania|Foster Township]] (Freehold and South Heberton merged to create modern-day Freeland)]]

Joseph Birkbeck, the founder of Freeland, was born near [[Brough, Cumbria|Brough]], in the county of [[Westmorland]], [[England]], on May 2, 1802. He and his wife Elizabeth came to America in 1844. After acquiring land from Edward Lynch the same year of his arrival, Birkbeck built a [[log cabin]] in a small valley between modern-day Freeland and Upper Lehigh. The next settler, Nathan Howey, purchased land from Birkbeck and built a frame house just west of Birkbeck's log cabin.

===Coal mining===
Developing [[coal mine]]s in the nearby region created a steep increase in population and a demand for building lots. This led Birkbeck to survey the region for the town of South Heberton. South Heberton has long since lost its identity and is now simply a cluster of houses along Schwabe Street, which is now part of Freeland.<ref>[http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/patk/foster.htm Foster Township, Luzerne Co., Pa<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006011316/http://www.rootsweb.com/~paluzern/patk/foster.htm |date=2007-10-06 }}</ref>

Between 1845 and 1846, Birkbeck built a highway through South Heberton, [[Eckley Miners' Village]], and Buck Mountain; it was known as Buck Mountain Road. Eckley was then known as Shingletown, as the chief industry there was the production of [[Roof shingle|shingles]].

The first child born at South Heberton was Elizabeth Birkbeck, the daughter of founder Joseph Birkbeck and his wife Elizabeth, in 1845. The first death at this place was that of William, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Birkbeck, which occurred February 11, 1846. He was four years old at the time.<ref>[http://www.pacounties.org/freeland/cwp/view.asp?a=1731&q=475625 Freeland: First Settlers<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20070527000436/http://www.pacounties.org/freeland/cwp/view.asp?a=1731&q=475625 |date=2007-05-27 }}</ref> The first [[Retail store|store]] at South Heberton was owned by a man named Feist. It was located west of Birkbeck's cabin. The first [[tavern]] was founded by Nathan Howey, the second settler in the region. Prior to the opening of Howey's tavern, Birkbeck accommodated parties, who were prospecting for anthracite deposits, in his own home.

===Incorporation===
[[File:Center Street looking south, Freeland, Pa (68622).jpg|thumb|left|An old [[postcard]] of Freeland]] 
Freehold and South Heberton merged to create modern-day Freeland. Freeland was incorporated as a borough on September 11, 1876.<ref>''Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer'', p. 641</ref> Two years later, in 1878, a frame [[school]] was built in the town. By 1880, the population of the community surpassed 600. In 1883, the first [[Slovaks|Slovak]] Lutheran Church in America was organized in Freeland.<ref>[http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Pa-Sp/Slovak-Americans.html Article on Slovaks in America, see religion subsection]</ref> The population steadily increased due to the expanding coal mining industry in the region. Many Europeans immigrated to Freeland up until the mid-20th century.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/ct0u/freeland.html |title = History of Freeland, Pa}}</ref>

===Present day===
[[File:Freeland Little league Field in 2013 2014-05-16 16-40.jpg|thumb|right|[[Little League]] field in Freeland]] 
The coal mining industry in and around Freeland collapsed after the 1959 [[Knox Mine Disaster]] in northern Luzerne County. As of 2017, Freeland had a [[YMCA]] program, a community park, the Hazleton Area Public Library (Freeland Branch), and a remodeled [[Little League]] field. Also, there is a football/baseball field named "Della Croce Field," after the former Director of the Freeland YMCA.

===Customs===
Since a large demographic of people in Freeland are of [[Irish people|Irish]] descent, every year, there is a [[St. Patrick's Day]] parade through downtown, which is followed by a dinner. There are also annual events for [[Memorial Day]] and [[Veterans Day]], due to the large number of retired and active duty soldiers living in the surrounding communities. As part of the Memorial Day celebration, an annual Pub Run takes place, in which participants run a course with [[pubs|bars]] along the way. Participants must stop and finish a drink at each bar before continuing the race. The race usually consists of nine bars throughout the borough, as well as some that do not technically fall within the municipal entity.