US debated daylight saving in the 1940s

The Dispatch

1948 – 62 Years Ago


In April of 1948, Greater Pittston communities were deciding whether to adopt Daylight Saving Time.

Pittston City, West Pittston, Jenkins Township, Avoca, Yatesville, and Wyoming were in favor of switching leaving West Wyoming, Exeter Borough, Pittston Township, Duryea and Dupont undecided or leaning toward staying with Standard Time.

The year before, communities remained on standard time while some switched to Daylight Saving, this led to a great deal of confusion with merchants and businesses caught in the middle. In the following weeks, it was reported that West Wyoming would stay on Standard Time along with Duryea, Dupont and Exeter. Daylight Saving Time would go into effect on April 25 of that year.

Most states now observe Daylight Saving time. Those that do not observe the time change include Arizona, Hawaii and the Eastern Time Zone section of Indiana. Read about the history of Daylight Saving time at: www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving