East End, Wilkes-Barre: A Historic Neighborhood Transforming from "Five Points" to a Community Hub

The East End of Wilkes-Barre is a resilient residential neighborhood located in the city's northeastern quadrant, historically defined by its deep roots in the region's anthracite coal mining boom. Originally known as "Five Points"—a moniker it shared with New York City’s notorious district due to its rough-and-tumble reputation—the area was renamed "East End" in 1895 following a community contest led by the influential Father John J. Curran to improve its image. Once home to thousands of Irish and Welsh immigrant miners who worked the nearby collieries, today’s East End retains a distinct community character, blending modest historic frame homes with proximity to the commercial development along Kidder and Mundy Streets.

Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney at Law, provides compassionate and effective legal counsel, fighting to protect your rights and to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to following injuries from a car, bus, work site, slip-and-fall, or pedestrian accident in Pennsylvania.

Points of Interest in The East End of Wilkes-Barre

The East End of Wilkes-Barre is a unique blend of quiet residential streets and bustling commercial activity. Historically known as "Five Points" and shaped by the coal industry, today the neighborhood serves as a gateway between the city center and the major retail corridors of the township. Whether you are looking for an affordable round of golf, a place to walk your dog, or quick access to the region's biggest entertainment venues, the East End offers several key points of interest.

Hollenback Golf Club

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Hollenback Golf Club is the crown jewel of the neighborhood. Located on North Washington Street, this public 9-hole course is known for being one of the most affordable and accessible places to play in Luzerne County. The course features tight fairways and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a favorite for both beginners and seasoned locals looking for a quick game without the exclusivity of a private country club. If you have been injured and need the assistance of a personal injury attorney near the Hollenback Golf Club, contact us for a free consultation.

East End Centre

While the neighborhood is residential, it shares its name with the adjacent East End Centre, a sprawling open-air shopping plaza that serves as the area's commercial anchor. Technically stretching into Wilkes-Barre Township, this hub is where East End residents and visitors go for dining and retail. It features major big-box stores, casual dining options like Red Lobster and local pizzerias, and essential services, making it the convenient "downtown" for the neighborhood.

Hollenback Park & Dog Park

Situated right next to the golf course, Hollenback Park is the primary green space for the community. It is particularly popular for its fenced-in dog park, which draws pet owners from all over the city. The park also features baseball fields, a playground, and open areas for picnics, offering a quiet, family-friendly escape from the busy traffic of nearby Kidder Street.

Chacko’s Family Bowling Center

Just on the border where the East End meets the North End, Chacko’s Family Bowling Center is a legendary local entertainment spot. Famous for its well-maintained lanes and its snack bar—which serves some of the best pizza and wings in the city—Chacko’s is a go-to destination for nightlife and family fun. It represents the classic, blue-collar community spirit that defines the East End area.

Proximity to Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

One of the biggest advantages of visiting the East End is its location at the foot of the hill leading to the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. While just outside the neighborhood limits, the East End is the primary access point for this 8,000-seat venue. Visitors staying in or exploring the East End are only minutes away from the region's biggest concerts, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey games, and major conventions.

Accidents in East End: What You Need to Know

The East End of Wilkes-Barre serves as the primary gateway between the city’s residential grid and the massive commercial districts of Wilkes-Barre Township. Because of this unique position, the neighborhood experiences a high volume of transient traffic, with thousands of vehicles passing through daily to reach Route 309, Interstate 81, and the regional shopping malls. This heavy flow of commuters, combined with the area's aging infrastructure and tight residential streets, creates a specific set of personal injury risks that are distinct from the downtown or riverfront areas. Those injured in the East End may need the assistance of a Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their injuries after an accident.

Rear-End Collisions: The Kidder Street Corridor

The most frequent type of motor vehicle accident in the East End involves rear-end collisions along the bustling Kidder Street corridor. As the main artery connecting downtown to the highway and the East End Centre, this road is plagued by chronic congestion and stop-and-go traffic.

  • Distracted Driving: Drivers often become impatient or distracted by their phones while stuck in the long lines of traffic that form during rush hour.
  • Sudden Stops: The road features numerous curb cuts for fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and plazas. Vehicles that make sudden stops to turn into these businesses often catch drivers who are following them off guard, which can lead to fender-benders and whiplash injuries.

Intersection Accidents: Scott Street and Spring Street

Away from the commercial strip, the residential intersections of the East End, particularly along Scott Street and Spring Street, are hotspots for T-bone and angle collisions.

  • Blind Spots: Many of these intersections are tight, with on-street parking often obscuring sightlines for drivers attempting to pull out from stop signs.
  • Speeding: Locals often use Scott Street as a "shortcut" to avoid the traffic on Kidder Street. Speeding drivers on this residential road often fail to yield or stop in time at intersections, causing severe side-impact crashes with vehicles crossing from side streets.

Premises Liability: Commercial Plazas and Parking Lots

With the neighborhood anchored by the East End Centre and various strip malls, slip and fall accidents are a significant source of personal injury claims.

  • Parking Lot Hazards: The expansive parking lots in this area are prone to deterioration, leading to potholes and uneven pavement that cause trip-and-fall incidents.
  • Winter Negligence: In the winter, the sheer size of these commercial properties makes snow and ice removal difficult. Patrons frequently suffer injuries from slipping on black ice on sidewalks or in untreated sections of the parking lots while walking to and from their cars.

The East End's status as a commercial thoroughfare largely drives the personal injury risks. The danger lies in the friction between the high-speed commuter mindset on Kidder Street and the physical limitations of the neighborhood’s infrastructure, requiring heightened vigilance from both drivers and pedestrians.

If you’ve been injured in the East End of Wilkes-Barre, the local attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, are here to provide skilled, compassionate legal representation and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Brandon J. Broderick for East End Accidents?

Conveniently located to serve Wilkes-Barre, our office offers legal services for residents and visitors of East End and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Here’s why clients in East End trust us:

  • Local Expertise: We understand the unique dynamics of East End as well as the most common types of injuries sustained in accidents in the area.
  • Proven Results: Our firm has recovered millions in settlements for personal injury victims across Pennsylvania.
  • 24/7 Availability: Call us anytime at (866) 314-3586 for immediate legal assistance.
  • No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case.

Directions to Our Wilkes-Barre, PA, Office

Residents and visitors in the area can easily access our office, conveniently located near the East End.

Address: 780 Hazle St Front, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706 (serving East End and Wilkes-Barre)
Phone: (866) 314-3586

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation if you've suffered an injury in the East End of Wilkes-Barre.

We provide dedicated legal support to accident victims throughout Pennsylvania and Wilkes-Barre, including neighborhoods such as Downtown, East End, Iron Triangle, Mayflower, Miners Mills, North End, Parsons, Rolling Mill Hill, South Wilkes-Barre, and The Heights. Don’t wait to receive the help you deserve—contact us today to discuss your case and begin the process of securing your compensation.