Scranton Public Library - Out of the Wilderness: The Industrialization and Development of the the Scranton Area 1850-1865

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About This Collection

Funded by a grant from the Willary Foundation, this collection contains letters, books, paintings, photographs, and other artifacts from the era when the Lackawanna Valley emerged from its agrarian beginnings to become an industrial center that powered the torn nation's war effort. Contributing agencies include the Scranton Public Library, the Lackawanna Historical Society, the Steamtown National Historic Site, and the Anthracite Heritage Museum. This collection relates to Scranton's early history and its importance in politics and history of the United States.

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Appointments of Douglas Jay as Assistant Postmaster of Scranton, signed by Abraham Lincoln and William Seward, April 22, 1861.

Jay, Douglas, Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865, Scranton (Pa.)--History, Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Appointments of Douglas Jay as Assistant Postmaster of Scranton, signed by Abraham Lincoln and William Seward, July 16, 1861.

Jay, Douglas, Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865, Scranton (Pa.)--History, Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Carved maple cane with 164 names of Civil War prisoners.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

This cane displays the names of Civil War prisoners of war.

Contributions to the history of the Lackawanna Valley.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History, Coal

347 images including front and back cover. Copy available at the Scranton Public Library in the Local History Collection (LOCAL HISTORY 974.836).

The Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad Coal Company Department payroll sheets for September, 1864.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

Original includes 60 unbound pages.

Early History of Scranton and The First Presbyterian Church.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

This book is located at the Scranton Public Library and contains some illustrations and background of the history of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 62 pages. (LOCAL HISTORY 974.837 PLATT)

Founders of Scranton.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

Located at the Scranton Public Library Reference Department. This item can be found in the Local History Vertical File. Scranton History. 21 pages.

History and geography of Scranton and its vicinity.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

This book is located at the Scranton Public Library and contains background information about the early history of Scranton. 88 images including front and back cover. (LOCAL HISTORY 974.837 WILLIAMS)

History of Scranton Postoffice.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

This book is located at the Scranton Public Library, and gives the history of early Scranton Pennsylvania Postmasters. 176 images including front and back covers.(LOCAL HISTORY 383 RIPPLE)

Industrial advantages of Scranton, PA.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History, Coal

Located at the Scranton Public Library, this book contains information about different merchants and industries in the City of Scranton. 94 images including front and back cover. (LOCAL HISTORY 338.0977)

James Slocum receipt, May 25, 1869

Scranton (Pa.)--History, Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History

A receipt from E. M Willard to James Slocum dated May 25, 1869 for the sum of $19.75.

Lackawanna Coal Company stock certificate.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

Cerificate No. 6. 50 shares issued to George W. Scranton.

Lease agreement between James Jifkins and sons and William H. Pier postmaster of Scranton.

Scranton (Pa.)--History, Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

The lease agreement between James Jifkins and Postmaster William H. Pier is for a room on the first floor of the Jifkens Building on the corner Penn Avenue and Commercial Alley.

Map of part of the Wyoming and Lackawanna coal field, county of Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

From Blakely (left) to Dorrance (right). Original is stained. There is also some discoloration along the left and right edges. Undated, but it pre-dates the 1878 formation of Lackawanna County.

Map of the Pennsylvania coal cos. lands and Gravity Railroad from Pittston to Hawley.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History

Engineer's drawing. Includes "location of proposed Locomotive Railroad." "Under the supervision of J.B. Smith."

Obituary notices of the death of Col. Frederick Hitchcock.

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History, United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Obituaries published in local newspapers on the death of well-known Scranton native Col. Frederick Hitchcock. These were published in the Scranton Republican newspaper and the Chamber of Commerce Journal.

Order of exercises at the Union Meeting in the First Presbyterian Church, Scranton Pa.

Scranton (Pa.)--History, Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History

Church program for Thanksgiving day, 1863.

Pennsylvania coal regions

Lackawanna County (Pa.)--History, Scranton (Pa.)--History, Coal

This book is located at the Scranton Public Library and contains large fold outs of coal regions. 90 images including front and back cover. (LOCAL HISTORY 622 BOWE)