Joe Palooka Monument

Pine Run Road & Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard (PA Route 309)
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18706

Joe Palooka was a popular American comic strip starting in 1930, and ending in 1984. Created by Wilkes-Barre native Ham Fisher, the strip featured a heavy-weight champion boxer who stood up for the "little guy". In the 1970s, the current stone monument was erected after a previous bronze plaque dedicated to the comic strip character was stolen.

Note: The monument is located at a small pull off along State Route 309 North, near the intersection with Pine Run Road (also known as Laurel Run Road and "The Baby Road" to locals.) The pull off is best accessed if you are heading north on Route 309, as the highway is divided in front of the monument.

If you are traveling southbound on Route 309, out of Wilkes-Barre, use extreme caution if attempting to make a U-turn at Pine Run Road, as traffic can be heavy in both directions. Use caution when entering and exiting the pull off, as vehicles travelling downhill on that section are often going over the posted speed limit.

Recommended Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults, Seniors