Labor History Commons^™

Mapping Historic Scranton, Erin Mcgee

SURF Posters 2023

Located in northeastern Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna County, Scranton acts as a representation of nineteenth century industrial America. Originally farmland, the area was first inhabited by the Munsee tribe, who were later driven out by conflict between settlers (first arriving in the 1600s), Native Americans, and the English. Eventually, the land would come into ownership by the Scranton brothers, who were able to capitalize on the land’s anthracite and iron deposits to create the city’s first substantial industry. Not only did the Scrantons lay the groundwork for the rail, iron, and coal industries, but also create labor opportunities for European immigrants who …