The Story of Phoebe Snow

Published by Lackawanna Railroad
July 1, 1943

Phoebe Snow was invented by an advertising firm to encourage travel on the Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad ca. 1900. Described as an auburn-haired traveler who always wore a white dress, white hat and white gloves, she promoted safety, reliability, and cleanliness of anthracite-powered trains. Wealthy, feminine, and white, Phoebe was designed to represent the Lackawanna’s ideal patron. She quickly became a pop-culture phenomenon. This fictional character was associated with the railroad's passenger trains: Lackawanna Limited (ca. 1905 – 1943) and The Route of the Phoebe Snow (1949 – 1966).

Paper. H 17.1, W 9.1, T 0.1 cm
Steamtown National Historic Site, STEA 2512