ScrantonOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Deep Hollow to the Electric City

Scranton's story begins before its industrial expansion. The area was first settled by white Europeans in 1788 and was known as Deep Hollow. It went through several name changes, including Unionville, Slocum Hollow, Harrison, and Scrantonia, before being named Scranton in 1851.

The city's growth began in the 1840s when George and Selden Scranton, with their cousin Joseph Scranton, established an iron furnace operation. This operation became the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company. This company was a pioneer in mass-producing iron rails, a development for the railroad industry. By 1865, the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company had the largest iron production capacity in the United States.

The Anthracite Capital and Beyond

Scranton was incorporated as a city in 1866. By the late 1880s, it had become one of the nation's industrial centers, known as the "Anthracite Capital of the World" due to its coal mining operations. The city attracted immigrants and entrepreneurs, drawn by opportunities in coal mining, iron production, and the growing textile mills and railroads.

However, the 20th century brought a shift. As oil began to replace coal as a primary energy source, Scranton's economy faced a downturn, and coal mining ceased in the area by the 1950s. Scranton has since focused on higher education and a downtown business district, while preserving the architectural and industrial structures of its past.

• —Lackawanna County Courthouse — Completed in 1884 in a Romanesque Revival style, this stone building with a five-story clock tower is the center of Courthouse Square. It hosted the first meeting of the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike Commission.
• —Scranton Iron Furnaces — These four stone blast furnaces are the remnants of the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company. Built between 1848 and 1857, they show the city's industrial past.
• —Steamtown National Historic Site — This 40-acre site preserves the history of early railway expansion and occupies a yard that was once part of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad, formed in 1849.
• —Connell Building — Originally a six-story brick and stone building constructed in 1894 to house the administrative offices of the Connell Coal Company, it was expanded to eight stories in 1898. It is now a mixed-use property with retail and apartments.
• —St. Peter's Cathedral — Built in 1867 as the parish church of St. Vincent de Paul, it became the Cathedral of St. Peter in 1884 after a remodeling. Its twin towers are a Scranton landmark, and the interior features stained-glass windows added during the 1883 alterations.
• —Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral — This structure is an example of early 20th-century architecture and hosts various events.
• —University of Scranton, St. Thomas Hall — Completed in 1962, this building was part of the university's expansion. The original cornerstone from the university's first building, Old Main (built in 1892), is preserved within its walls, linking the modern campus to its origins.
• —Brooks Building / Globe Store — The Brooks Building, designed in 1891, is an office building. The Globe Store, while no longer operating as a department store, remains a downtown landmark.

The best time to visit Scranton for pleasant weather and outdoor activities is from mid-June to mid-September, with a peak in the second week of August. During these months, temperatures are warm, with July being the hottest month, averaging an 82°F high. Expect clear skies in summer.

Fall, from late September through October, offers comfortable temperatures and fall foliage, which can be seen on train rides from Steamtown National Historic Site. Spring, particularly May, offers pleasant weather as the city moves out of winter.

Avoid visiting in January, the coldest month, with average lows around 21°F and frequent snowfall. While December through March offer fewer crowds and potential for snow sports at Montage Mountain, many outdoor attractions may be limited due to the cold.

Scranton is served by Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP), located about 7 miles southwest of downtown. For ground transport, the Scranton Bus Station is a main hub for local bus services.

Walking is a way to explore downtown Scranton, as many historical sites are close. On-street parking is available throughout downtown, with meters operating Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM. Payment can be made with coins or via mobile apps. Most metered spaces have a two-hour limit, though some 10-hour spaces exist near hospitals. Parking in downtown metered spots is free on Saturdays. Several parking garages are also available, including the Electric City Garage and the Marketplace at Steamtown Garage. Rates for garages are typically around $1.25 per hour, with daily maximums of $15.

For local produce, the Co-Op Farmers Market runs from mid-July through Thanksgiving Eve, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 AM to 5 PM. The South Side Farmers Market operates year-round on Saturdays from 10 AM to 1 PM, with outdoor markets from mid-May to mid-October and indoor markets the rest of the year.