Scranton history

The history of Scranton is a vivid example of how the industrial revolution and natural resources can shape the appearance and destiny of an entire city. From a small settlement to a major industrial centre, Scranton has undergone a journey of rapid growth, leaving behind a rich historical legacy.

Foundation and First Mentions

The territory of modern-day Scranton was originally the land of the indigenous Lenape tribe. The first European settlement here was founded in 1778 by Isaac Tripp. However, the key stage in the city's history began in the 1840s with the arrival of the brothers George and Selden Scranton. They founded the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, which provided the impetus for the region's rapid development. The settlement that grew around the factories was officially incorporated as a borough in 1856 and received city status in April 1866, inheriting the name of its founders.

Key Factors of Development

Scranton's rapid growth was driven by several interconnected factors:

• Geography and Resources: Its location in the Lackawanna River valley, rich in anthracite coal deposits, made the city a hub for the coal industry.
• Industry and Trade: Scranton became one of the leaders in iron and steel production in the USA. The Scranton brothers' factory began producing some of the country's first railway rails (T-rails), which facilitated the development of the transport network and the city's growth.
• Technological Innovations: The city earned the nickname "The Electric City". In 1880, electric lighting was introduced at one of the factories, and in 1886, the first successful and continuously operating electric streetcar system in the USA was launched here.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Scranton's economy was entirely focused on heavy industry: coal mining, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering. The industrial boom attracted thousands of immigrants from Europe to the city, primarily from Ireland, Wales, Italy, and Eastern European countries. This formed the city's multinational and hardworking character. By the beginning of the 20th century, Scranton's population exceeded 100,000 people, turning it into one of the most important industrial centres of Pennsylvania and the entire East Coast of the USA.

Chronology of Scranton's History

Scranton's history is rich in events that shaped it as an important industrial and cultural centre. Here are the key dates reflecting its journey from a small settlement to a modern city.

• 1778 — The first permanent European settlement is founded in this territory, the home of Isaac Tripp.
• 1840 — Brothers George and Selden Scranton found the iron and coal company that would later become known as the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company, sparking the region's industrial development.
• 1851 — Industrialists begin the construction of a railway connecting Scranton to major markets, such as New York, facilitating the city's growth.
• 1866 — Scranton officially receives city status, merging several adjacent settlements.
• 1877 — The city becomes one of the centres of the Great Railroad Strike, highlighting its growing importance in the nation's industrial life.
• 1880 — Electric lighting is installed at the Dickson Manufacturing Company plant, one of the first such instances in the USA, giving rise to the nickname "The Electric City".
• 1886 — The first successful and continuously operating electric streetcar system in the USA is launched in Scranton, cementing its reputation as a technological innovator.
• 1888 — St. Thomas College is founded, which would eventually evolve into today's University of Scranton.
• 1908 — The Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art opens, becoming an important cultural institution in the city.
• 1930s — The city's population reaches its peak, exceeding 140,000 people, thanks to the prosperity of the coal and steel industries.
• 1959 — The Knox Mine Disaster occurs: the Susquehanna River breaks into mine tunnels, leading to the flooding of many mines and marking the beginning of the end for the coal era in the region.
• 2005 — The premiere of the television series "The Office", set in Scranton, brings the city worldwide fame in pop culture.

Major Milestones in Scranton's History

Scranton's development is a classic American story of industrial rise, decline, and attempts to find a new place in a changing world. The key stages of this journey defined the city's economic, cultural, and urban appearance.

• Birth of an Industrial Giant (1840s – 1860s)

  The founding of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company by the Scranton brothers was the starting point for the city. The production of iron and, crucially, the first mass-produced T-rails for railways in the USA, turned the small settlement into a strategically important industrial hub. In 1866, Scranton officially received city status, uniting several industrial villages.

• Era of Innovation: "The Electric City" (1880s)

  Scranton earned its nickname "The Electric City" thanks to advanced technologies. In 1880, electric lighting was installed at one of the factories, and in 1886, the country's first successful and continuously operating electric streetcar system was launched here. This not only transformed the urban environment but also strengthened its reputation as a centre of innovation.

• Peak Growth and Cultural Diversity (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

  The rapid development of the coal and steel industries attracted thousands of immigrants to Scranton from Ireland, Italy, Poland, and other European countries. The city's population exceeded 140,000 people. This period formed Scranton's multinational character and laid its cultural foundation.

• End of the Coal Era: The Knox Mine Disaster (1959)

  This tragic day became a turning point in the city's history. The breakthrough of the Susquehanna River waters into the mine tunnels led to the death of 12 miners and the flooding of most of the region's coal deposits. The disaster effectively put an end to the era of deep anthracite mining, leaving the city without its main economic pillar.

• Transition to a New Economy (Late 20th Century)

  Following the decline of heavy industry, Scranton faced decades of economic downturn. The city was forced to seek new paths for development. Gradually, the economy diversified towards the service sector, healthcare, and education. Local educational institutions, such as the University of Scranton, played a key role in this process.

• Unexpected Fame in Pop Culture (2005)

  The premiere of the popular TV series "The Office", the action of which unfolds in Scranton, brought the city worldwide fame. This event boosted tourism, drew attention to the city, and became an important part of its modern identity, humorously reimagining its modest and hardworking image.

The architectural appearance of Scranton is a visual chronicle of its history — from a thriving industrial centre of the 19th century to a modern city reimagining its heritage. The city's buildings reflect periods of wealth, decline, and subsequent revival, demonstrating a variety of architectural styles.

The Golden Age: Victorian Era and Neoclassicism

Scranton's period of greatest prosperity, occurring in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, left behind the most significant architectural monuments. Wealth earned from coal and steel was invested in the construction of magnificent public and private buildings.

• Victorian Gothic and Romanesque Style: These styles dominated the urban landscape. A striking example is Scranton City Hall (1888), designed in the Victorian style with elements of Neo-Gothic. Another iconic object is the Lackawanna County Courthouse (1884), built in the Romanesque Revival style, which remains an architectural landmark of the city centre.
• Châteauesque Style: A luxurious and rare style for the region is embodied in the Albright Memorial Library (1893). Its appearance, reminiscent of French Renaissance châteaux, was intended to highlight the city's cultural ambitions.
• Neo-Gothic and Art Deco: Built in 1930, the Scranton Cultural Center (originally the Masonic Temple) represents an impressive blend of Neo-Gothic and Romanesque Revival styles with Art Deco elements, reflecting the architectural trends of its time.

20th Century: Modernism and Post-Industrial Development

After the decline of the coal industry in the mid-20th century, new construction in Scranton slowed down. The architecture of this period was more functional in nature, and many historic buildings fell into disrepair. However, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, a process of reimagining urban space began. Many old industrial and commercial buildings were renovated and adapted for new needs (adaptive reuse), which allowed for the preservation of the historical appearance of the central districts. Today's urban development is aimed at preserving Scranton's unique architectural heritage and integrating it into modern city life.

Notable Figures Associated with Scranton

Scranton, despite its modest size, has been the birthplace or an important stage in life for many people who have left a significant mark on the history, politics, and culture of the USA.

• Joe Biden

  The 46th President of the USA was born in Scranton on 20 November 1942 and spent the first ten years of his life here. Although his family later moved to Delaware, Biden often mentions his Scranton roots, emphasising his connection to the working class and the values that shaped his character. His childhood in the city became an important part of his political biography.

• Terence Powderly

  An influential trade union leader of the late 19th century who led one of the largest labour organisations in the USA — the "Knights of Labor". Powderly was also elected Mayor of Scranton three times (from 1878 to 1884), representing the interests of workers. His activities had a significant impact on the development of the labour movement in the country, and his home in Scranton is recognised as a National Historic Landmark.

• Jane Jacobs

  One of the most influential theorists of urbanism and city planning of the 20th century, born in Scranton in 1916. Her book "The Death and Life of Great American Cities" (1961) revolutionised the approach to urban planning, criticising "urban renewal" projects and defending the idea of vibrant, diverse, and self-organising urban neighbourhoods. She made her first observations of city life right here in Scranton.

• William Scranton

  A representative of the family after whom the city is named, William Scranton was a prominent political figure. He served as the 38th Governor of Pennsylvania (1963–1967), was a Congressman, and the US Ambassador to the UN. As Governor, he initiated important reforms in the state education system, including the creation of a network of community colleges.

• Lizabeth Scott

  An actress who became an icon of the film noir genre in the 1940s and 1950s. She was born in Scranton as Emma Matzo to a family of Ukrainian immigrants. Her mysterious image and husky voice made her one of Hollywood's most recognisable "femme fatales". She starred alongside stars such as Humphrey Bogart, Burt Lancaster, and Kirk Douglas.

• Hugh Ellsworth Rodham

  The father of former First Lady, Senator, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Hugh Rodham was born and raised in Scranton. He came from a family of British immigrants who worked in the coal mines. He subsequently founded a successful textile business in Chicago, but the family maintained close ties with Scranton, spending summers here, and he was buried in the city cemetery.