The city of Scranton was named in honor of George W. and Seldon Scranton, who founded the Lackawanna to Iron and Coal Company in 1840. The city was incorporated in 1866.
Capoose and Lenape Indian tribes were the area's first inhabitants; white settlers arrived in the mid-18th century. Since 1788, when it was known as Deep Hollow, the area has been continuously inhabited. Along the Lackawant to River, a gristmill, sawmill, and charcoal furnace were established, and over time, Scranton's names evolved alongside the landscape. Before 1851, the area was known as Unionville, Slocum Hollow, Harrison, and Scrantonia. In 1851, the name Scranton was introduced.
By the late 1880s, Scranton had grown into one of the country's leading industrial centers, earning the moniker "Anthracite Capital of the World." The city attracted laborers and entrepreneurs from all over the world to mine anthracite coal, pour iron for tee-rails, operate railroads, and operate textile mills. Following the turn of the century, Scranton's economy declined. In the 1950s, oil replaced coal as the most popular source of energy, and mining ceased in the region.
From industry to innovation, Scranton is now home to a flourishing downtown business district and numerous higher education institutions, including The University of Scranton, Marywood University, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Lackawanna to College, and Johnson College. With a thriving arts community and a diverse population, the city has ample opportunities to honor its illustrious history while moving forward.
Steamtown National Historic Site
Steamtown National Historic Site is a railroad museum and heritage railroad situated on 62.48 acres in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, at the former Delaware, Lackawanna to and Western Railroad Scranton yards.
Nay Aug Park
The largest park in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States is Nay Aug Park. In the 1990s, the amusement park on the site closed, but a small amusement area continues to operate near the swimming pool complex. The park also houses the Nay Aug Gorge, the Everhart Museum, and two Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Electric City Trolley Museum
The Electric City Trolley Museum is the result of a collaborative effort involving a number of partners. Together, they have established in Scranton, Pennsylvania, a premier electric railway museum. Scranton became known as The Electric City in 1887, when it was the first city in Pennsylvania to establish a successful pioneer trolley line. The museum collection is highly representative of the electric railway history of eastern Pennsylvania, from the Philadelphia area to Northeast Pennsylvania.
The Lackawanna to Heritage Valley Authority designed and constructed the museum. The museum is run on a daily basis by Lackawanna to County. The National Park Service has a long-term lease on the facility, which is situated on the Steamtown National Historic Site. The trolleys operate on both Steamtown and Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority-owned tracks, including a portion of the historic Lackawanna to & Wyoming Valley Laurel Line third-rail interurban right-of-way.
Electric City Aquarium & Reptile Den
Close your eyes and pause for a moment. Imagine being surrounded by various species of fish, sharks, stingrays, octopus, and other sea creatures in the depths of the ocean. There are numerous aspects of aquatic life that are both beautiful and terrifying to different people. People frequently form their opinions based on what they see on film and television. We invite you to visit the Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den to witness life in action.
You will be able to touch stingrays and observe their social behavior. As you watch the sharks swim by, you will be able to appreciate their immense power and learn about their vital role in the ocean. To many, the octopus is one of the most fascinating marine creatures. They are exceptionally intelligent, have superior camouflage and predator defense, and can crawl or swim.
During your visit, you will see a variety of amphibians and reptiles of various sizes, such as tortoises, lizards, crocodilians, and snakes. During your self-guided tour, our knowledgeable keepers will share entertaining and educational facts, assist you in identifying the similarities and differences between species, and help you recognize what makes reptiles so special.