Scranton
Scranton is the seat of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and principal city on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan area. Scranton was inhabited by the Lenape tribe and in 1778, Isaac Tripp, Scranton’s first white settler built his home here. In 1849, Scranton saw major growth when Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad was formed by the Scranton brothers.Scranton is home toScranton Eagles, which are the most successful team in the 34-year history of the Empire Football League.
Population
The population in 2012 was 76,500 (Approx).
Weather
Scranton experiences humid continental climate with four seasons. Summers are hot and humid with average temperature being 71.4 °F, highest temperature experienced is 90 °F.Cold and snowy winters are seen in Scranton, with average temperature being 25.8 °F, and lowest temperature being of sub-0 °F. Some winters, there is light snow and in some - snowstorms. Late spring and summer see precipitation and total precipitation is 38.23 inches.
Tourism
Scranton has many sites celebrating its heritage as an industrial hub of iron and coal production:-
Steamtown National Historic Site – This showcases Scranton’s railroad past.
Electric City Trolley Museum – Electric lights and electrified street cars were first introduced in Scranton in 1880, and this museum shows that.
Houdini Museum – Opened by Dorothy Dietrich in 1990, and dedicated to Harry Houdini.
Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann – Holds an annual novena that draws thousands of pilgrims
St. Stanislaus Cathedral – it is the seat of the Polish National Catholic Church in North America.
Sno Mountain Ski Resort, Nay Aug Park, Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain and Scranton Cultural Center are some notable places.
Scranton plays host to a 3 day Italian festival - La Festa Italiana every year during Labor Day weekend. Steamtown Marathon is held every year in October. Saint Patrick's Day Parade is the 4th largest in attendance nation-wide. More than 8,000 people attend this parade which has floats, bagpipe players, high school bands and Irish groups.
How to Reach
By Road
Scranton is connected to several places through Interstate 80, 81, 84, 360 and 476; US Route 6 and 11. County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) is the public transportation service that allows travel within and outside Scranton. Martz Trailways and Greyhound lines connect downtown Scranton to NYC and Philadelphia. Posten Taxi and Mc Carthy Flowered Cabs also enable travel in Scranton.
By Railroads
Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad connects Scranton to several places by railroads.
By Air
The closest airport from Scranton is Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport at Avoca. American Airlines, Delta, United, and US Airways fly in and out from here.
Economy
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area is the 54th-largest U.S. television market and is home to several local TV stations. Times-Shamrock Communications that publishes the city's major newspaper -The Times Tribune; is headquartered at Scranton. Other publications are The Electric City, The Citizens' Voice,The Scranton Post,The Times Leader, Go Lackawanna, The Weekender,Union News, La Voz Latinaand Melanian News.The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre radio market is ranked #71 in the country by Arbitron.