Discover Scranton, Pennsylvania: The Electric City
Scranton, Pennsylvania, gained national attention when hometown boy Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States. Although Biden has fond childhood memories of this northeastern city, it is the popular TV show The Office that truly made Scranton an internationally recognized destination. Here are five fascinating facts you may not know about the Electric City.
Note: Always check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and adhere to government advice.
1. Scranton! What?! The Electric City!
Scranton was among the first cities in the United States to embrace electricity. Electric lights made their debut in 1880 at the Dickinson Manufacturing company, paving the way for Scranton to become the first city to implement electric streetcars just six years later.
2. Did you hear that?
Once a 1908 train station, the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel is now a stunning Renaissance-style hotel, complete with marble columns and an exquisite Tiffany stained-glass ceiling. Despite its elegant design, some guests claim to have experienced mysterious sights and sounds, attributing their eerie encounters to the hotel’s long history.
3. Walk it out
While The Office was filmed in California, the iconic show frequently referenced Scranton’s landmarks. True fans can embark on a self-guided walking tour that highlights significant locations, including the Steamtown National Historic Site, Pizza by Pappas, and the Electric City Trolley Museum.
4. Ta-Da!
The Harry Houdini Museum claims to be the only establishment devoted entirely to the legendary magician and has been operating in Scranton since the 1980s. In addition to magic shows and tours, the museum hosts paranormal events, such as the “Houdini Seance,” which occurred via Zoom on October 21, 2020.
5. Trains, trains, and (more trains)
This fascination began with a simple backyard train set that has sparked much debate among local fans, particularly viewers of WNEP news station. In a light-hearted segment of HBO’s Last Week Tonight, host John Oliver humorously addressed the issue, culminating in him sending an “almost irresponsibly large” 18-by-16-foot train set to the station. Since the train set was too large for the newsroom, it has been generously donated to the Electric City Trolley Museum, promoting goodwill among residents.
Notable Names
In addition to President-elect Joe Biden and the character Michael Scott, other notable figures hailing from Scranton include:
- Hugh E. Rodham, father of Hillary Clinton
- Lauren Weisberger, author of The Devil Wears Prada
- Charles Sumner Woolworth, co-founder of the Woolworth chain
- Adam Rippon, American figure skater
