Scranton is formerly known as the Anthracite Capital of the world and has had many names over the past 200 years, and remains to be one of the largest cities in Pennsylvania. The first European settlers in Scranton were the Abbott brothers, who founded a gristmill in the area in 1786. In 1800 the Slocum brothers took over the mill and named the area Slocumville, and began a charcoal furnace for iron manufacturing. When the Scranton brothers arrived in 1840 they built an iron furnace that would later grown into the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company.  The community was then named Harrison in honor of President William Henry Harrison in 1845; later the name was changed to Scrantonia, and then shortened to Scranton.

The abundance of coal in the region attracted many industries. In the 1880’s the Scranton Steel Company was founded; it later merged with the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company to become Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company. The company moved to Buffalo in 1902 and dealt a heavy blow to the economy of Scranton.  Although the Lackawanna Iron and Steel Company has moved, it left a potent reminder behind.  The historic Scranton Iron furnace, located in the heart of the city, is a powerful reminder to all of the community of city’s industrial past. The four interconnected stone blast furnaces shut down in 1902 after the Iron and Steel Company relocated. Since then it has been completely rehabilitated and was rededicated in the 1980’s.

Scranton soon became the country’s leading anthracite (hard) coal supplier. The area was blessed with many coalmines, which also allowed for many needed jobs. However, the rise in economy was short lived due to the decrease in the need for coal after World War II. The city came up with a plan, the “Scranton Plan,” to revitalize the economy in 1945. The plan had been used as a model for other cities in the same situation, although it had its’ limitations.

The decline in the economy lasted for 40 years, the city was required to file a bankruptcy petition with the state during this time. Scranton was designated a distressed municipality by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The loss of it’s manufacturing base and nearly half of it’s population without an accompanying reduction in the city services, forced the Pennsylvania Economy League in 1992 to develop a 3 year plan to rescue Scranton from insolvency. A financial plan drawn up by the state called for state technical assistance and aid in return for Scranton allowing the state to reorganize municipal government, raise temporary taxes and dictate terms of labor contracts while the plan was in effect. After implementing these measures, the situation brightened in the mid 1990’s. Scranton had more projects, more revitalization and more economic development then almost any other city its size in the country, and tourism was on the increase. Today Scranton has removed from its past troubles and is a thriving city with a diverse economy, involved community and rich cultural attractions. Each year, more and more visitors discover this hidden gem at the foothills of the Pocono Mountains.

Local Attractions:

Steamtown National Historic Site

Scranton is home to the Steamtown National Historic Site that is run by the National Park Services. This facility is located on 40 acres of Scranton’s train yard that contains sections of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.  It houses one of the nation’s largest collections of standard-gauge steam locomotives. The collection includes a 1.2 million pound 1941 Union Pacific Big Boy, one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, and the tiny 1937 H.K. Porter industrial switcher. The Museum offers a variety of educational programs and museum tours, as well as rides on a working steam engine!

Coal Mine Tours

Three miles outside the center city, McDade Park is the site of Lackawanna County Coal Mine tour, considered one of the area’s premier tourist attractions. The tour features an underground rail car trip 300 feet below the earth to the floor of the mine and exploration of three coal veins. Tours run from April 1st to November 30th seven days a week between 10 and 4pm.  You can also learn more about the history of Scranton and its coalmines at the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum. Its collection highlights the lives and living conditions of the people who worked in the area’s anthracite mines and textile factories. The Catlin House, headquarters of Lackawanna Historical Society is a 1912 English Tudor-style manor where visitors can view and extensive collection of books, photographs, clothing and furnishings.

Everhart Museum

Founded in 1908, the Everhart Museum at Nay Aug Park features fine arts and natural history exhibits. The non-Profit institution has an on site library that contains information about what can be seen throughout the museum. The Everhart Museum is open Monday, Thursday and Friday's Noon to 4 pm, Saturdays 10am -5pm, and Sundays Noon to 5pm. There is also a free guided tour at the Museum on Sundays at 1pm.

The Scranton Cultural Center

Architect Raymond M. Hood following a Neo-Gothic and Romanesque design, designed the striking Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral, located downtown. The cathedral is home to the Community Concerts Association, the Broadway Theater League, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic

 

 

To find out more about Scranton please visit www.Scrantonpa.gov