Courtdale Borough was incorporated on September 6, 1897. Prior to its incorporation, Courtdale Borough was part of Kingston Township and known by various names including “Brownville”, “Gabtown”, “Tattletown”, and “Pringleville”. The name of “Courtdale” was chosen in honor of the Courtright family, once owners of a large farm in the borough. Courtdale consists of one square mile of land.
At the time of incorporation, Courtdale had just over one thousand residents and approximately eighty homes. Many early residents were employed by the Kingston Coal Company. Working farms still operated in the borough in the early days.
Courtdale Borough remains a small family-oriented community located on the edge of a large urban area. The Borough will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its incorporation in 2022.
Originally, children attended a one room school house located on Academy Street. That building was later replaced by a larger one, which became part of the Wyoming Valley West School District in 1966. It was in use until 1978 when State Street Elementary School was opened in Larksville. A double block home located at Blackman and Hoyt Streets served as the first municipal building. One-half of the double block was a combined borough building/police department. A borough caretaker resided with his family in the other half of the double block. A later addition to that house was built for the borough fire company. A new borough building was constructed in 1977. The fire company moved to its own quarters on Blackman Street and the former school lot on Academy Street became a playground for borough children and youth.
When the 1972 flood hit the Wyoming Valley, Courtdale Borough became an important municipality because of its location above the flood plain. The Methodist Church and many property owners opened their doors to family, friends, and strangers seeking shelter. The municipal building and fire company served as safe and central locations for emergency personnel. This key role was repeated in the flood emergency of September 2011.
Courtdale Borough remains a small family-oriented community located on the edge of a large urban area. The Borough will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its incorporation in 2022.
