Hazleton Street Layout - Greater Hazleton Historical Society

In an attempt to promote knowledge on local history, Hazleton News 1 has been working in an effort to collect posts and information from the Greater Hazleton Historical Society and Museum:

Hazleton does not have a typical city layout. The city is known for its unusually small blocks.

The city grid was intentionally designed to maximize the number of corner lots frequently desired by residents. Employing the gridiron pattern, intersecting streets formed blocks of approximately 530 by 200 feet. Courts (known as alleys in most cities) subdivided these blocks, making them even smaller. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, residential blocks varied in density of use. Those nearest the commercial core and in the southeastern section of town were heavily occupied.

Blocks in the northern and southern extremities were lightly utilized and some were vacant. Even the heavily used blocks contained open spaces.

Although most blocks were packed with homes, the properties still managed to contain backyards.

Image taken in the early 1900's, showing Broad Street with Pine being the first side street seen.