COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUMMARY
This is a summary of a 4 volume set of documents prepared by Shepstone Management Company and the Wayne County Department of Planning for the Wayne County Commissioners and Wayne County Planning Commission. Mapping was prepared by Woodland Design Associates, Inc. and the firms of Marvin A. Brotter Planning Services and Community Planning & Transportation Associates also assisted in Plan preparation. Copies may be obtained through the offices of the Wayne County Commissioners or Wayne County Department of Planning, 925 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.
History
and Geography
Economic Characteristics
Recreational Facilities
Economic Development Recommendations
Wayne County's relief, topography, soils, lakes and streams all were created from bedrock formations and glacial movements. These began some 350 million years ago during the Upper Devonian Period. They continued through the Wisconsin glacial stage of the Pleistocene Epoch approximately 10,000 to 14,000 years ago.
 |
Key Facts: |
| Highest point |
Mount Ararat - 2,656 feet above sea level |
| Lowest point |
Delaware River, Berlin Township - 680 feet |
| Water |
Estimated 11,000 acres of surface water |
| Forests |
More than 50% of the land area |
Wayne County was created from Northampton County in 1798 and named after General Anthony Wayne. Six townships were created: Buckingham, Canaan, Damascus, Lackawaxen, Mount Pleasant and Palmyra. The county then contained around 800 people, scattered over a large area, with few roads and limited tillable land. Pike County and the northern part of Monroe were split off from Wayne County in 1814.
Lumbering was a major industry. Until late in the 19th century, saw mills were water-powered, as were the grist mills. In 1870, there were some 50 steam-powered saw mills in the county. Some 90% of the logs were hemlock. The general pattern was to buy a tract of land, lumber off part of it and later sell it for farming.
As the best lumber was exhausted, tanneries sprang up everywhere. In 1862, Wayne County was the greatest production center for tanned leather in the U.S. By 1870, the hemlock bark was practically exhausted and the tanneries were mostly converted to acid factories which used any size of hardwood in 4 foot lengths. Farmers got their fields cleared and made a living from the sale of wood for these acid factories. When the acid factories closed down in the early 1920s, a new industry was developed - making railroad ties, mine ties and props and lagging for mine ceilings. These required some saw mill work.
Also, the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company completed its canal to the Hudson River in 1828. At the Wayne County end, it led to the founding of the town of Honesdale. Coal from the mines at Carbondale was trans-shipped from the D & H Gravity Railroad to the canal, at the Honesdale basin. In its peak year, 1872, the canal carried almost 3 million tons of coal to Roundout, New York, on the way to New York City.
The coal trans-shipped at Honesdale was brought over the hills by a remarkable operation - a "gravity railroad." It was 16 miles long and raised the coal cars about 950 feet from the mines to the top of Moosic Mountain from which the cars coasted to Honesdale. The Pennsylvania Coal Company also built a line to Hawley and a steam railroad was built along side it in 1885, later replaced by the Erie Railroad.
In 1924-25, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company dammed the Wallenpaupack Creek at Wilsonville. The purpose was to generate electricity. The resulting 13 mile-long lake, however, furnished the basis for extensive real estate and resort developments, as PP & L sold off its lands. This trend continues to this day.
Wayne County has a fairly sound economy based on a combination of farm, recreational and manufacturing enterprises; other industries all relate to one of these principal activities. Personal income in 1984 and 1989 (U.S. Census) is listed below:
Wayne County Personal Income by Industry
The Pennsylvania Department of Commerce, Bureau of Travel Development, estimates 44.9% of Wayne County personal income is attributable to travel expenditures. See below:
| |
Key Facts: |
| Per capita income |
$11,371 in 1990 (estimated) |
| Median household income |
$24,781 in 1990 (estimated) |
| Travel expenditures |
$299,170,000 in 1989 (estimated) |
| Labor force |
20,700 persons in 1990 |
The Honesdale, Paupack and Waymart regions are growing most rapidly in terms of commercial and industrial development. Waymart is the leader among those three in the rate of increase, probably due to the relatively recent availability of central sewage. The Southern Wayne area has produced the most industrial growth due to the Howe Industrial Park on I-84. Honesdale, however, gained the most in industry and commerce combined.
Economic Development Recommendations
1. Increase average wages by aggressively pursuing new capital intensive employers who can afford
to pay more.2. Encourage self-employment through tax incentives, land use regulations and technical
assistance.3. Support existing businesses which offer stability to the economy and off-set the seasonality of
the tourism sector.4. Develop a labor force of skilled workers through job training and community college programs.
5. Attract industries which make use of the County's natural resources and inherent advantages
(i.e. wood products).6. Locate new firms throughout Wayne County to decentralize the industrial base.
7. Support existing industry with technical help.
8. Develop an industrial marketing program which targets businesses inclined to locate in rural
areas.9. Identify and package industrial sites with financing to make the County more competitive.
10. Develop ancillary services such as warehousing.
The County Parks and Recreation Board conducts
recreational activities at County facilities in Berlin Township,
sponsors tournaments and supports municipal programs.
| |
Key Facts: |
| Municipal parks |
13 Twp./Borough and 1 County facility |
| State Parks |
2 in Wayne (Tobyhanna & Gouldsboro) |
| Game Lands |
6 Game Lands with 20,725 acres |
| Fish Commission |
23 Sites/streams, 14,691 licenses ('89) |
The Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River is, too, a recreational resource, though it is mostly private land. Recommendations regarding recreation needs include:
- Most recreation should be provided privately or by municipalities and schools.
- State and Federal facility managers mostly should maintain existing facilities.
- Expanding programs for the elderly may be appropriate.
- Technical assistance to municipalities, school districts and private entities should be provided by
the County.- The County is opposed to land condemnation by the Pennsylvania Game or Fish Commissions.
Acquisitions should be on "willing seller" basis.
INCOMPLETE - MUCH MORE TO COME - ENTIRE SUMMARY TO BE PLACED HERE
BACK
TO TABLE OF CONTENTS