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Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Station
Photograph by Kristen Carsto
Details of porch ceiling
and track area
Photographs
by Kristen Carsto |
The Delaware, Lackawanna
& Western Railroad Station, built during the years 1907-1908
at a cost of $ 601,780.96 in the Neo-Classical Revival style
by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, is one
of the most impressive buildings in Scranton. The architects
of the station were Kenneth Murchison of New York and Edward
Langley of Scranton, while the designer was Lincoln Bush, chief
engineer of the railroad company. The Delaware, Lackawanna &
Western Railroad was one of the most important railroads in
the northeast region of Pennsylvania. Its beginnings date back
to 1832 and the Ligget's Gap Railroad, later the Lackawanna
& Western, and the Delaware & Cobb's Gap Railroad. These two
lines merged in 1853 to form the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad, while the Erie-Lackawanna was not formed until 1960
from the merger of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western with the
Erie. Anthracite coal was a major factor in the growth of the
railroad, and by 1925 the company owned or controlled through
lease nearly all coal underlying West Scranton and had also
acquired large areas in other parts of the county as well as
in Luzerne County. The profits from the mining and transportation
of coal enabled the company to construct such an impressive
station as the one at Scranton.
Originally five stories in height, a sixth story was added
at a later date. Constructed primarily of sandstone, the station
features a porch above the first floor which extends almost
completely around the building. The most impressive features
of the building are the six Doric columns extending three
stories high which support the entablature above the main
entrance. The rear entranceway also features six Doric columns,
while engaged pilasters three-stories high extend around the
remainder of the building. The fifth floor above the entablature
features characteristics of Beaux Arts Classicism, including
figure sculptures above the main entrance. Directly above
the center of the entrance is a large clock with sculpted
eagles on either side. The building, which once served as
the central office for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western
Railroad, is perhaps the finest example of Neo-classical Revival
railroad station architecture in Pennsylvania. Today the Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station is the Lackawanna Station
Hotel.
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Station,
now the Lackawanna Station Hotel is located at 700 Lackawanna
Ave., in Scranton. Take I-81 exit 53, near Steamtown
National Historical Site to get to there. Please call
570-342-8300 or visit www.radisson.com/scrantonpa/ for further
information. |