Jesse Fell (1751-1830)
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
At his tavern here on Feb. 11, 1808, Fell burned "stone coal" successfully in an open grate. This famed experiment spurred the rise of the anthracite industry & the Wyoming Valley's growth. He was a judge, 1798-1830; first burgess of Wilkes-Barre, 1806.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1808, tavern-keeper and judge Jesse Fell managed something others had struggled with: he burned hard anthracite "stone coal" successfully in an open grate, proving it could heat a home without a forced draft. Word of his simple experiment spread quickly, helping ignite the anthracite industry that would transform the Wyoming Valley into a coal powerhouse. Fell was also a civic leader, serving as a judge and as Wilkes-Barre's first burgess.
Why it matters
A humble grate fire helped unlock the anthracite that warmed American homes and powered the nation's industrial growth.
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Related people
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