History of Carbondale, Pennsylvania, USA

1829: The Delaware and Hudson Gravity Railroad from Carbondale to Honesdale began operations on October 9, 1829. This was the first commercially successful railroad to operate in America.

wikipedia.org

1831: The first deep underground anthracite coal mine in America was opened in Carbondale just West of the Seventh Avenue crossing on the Delaware & Hudson tracks.

wikipedia.org

1846 - THE ACCIDENT AT CARBONDALE.
We have some further details relative to the accident in the coal mines at Carbondale, of which we gave a short account on Wednesday. The Wayne Co. Herald, published in the immediate vicinity, says:
On Monday an immense mass of slate, about seven acres in extent, fell from the roof of one of the mines of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, at Carbondale, upon the workmen below.
The spot where the slate fell, was a mile from the mouth of the mine. Three persons were taken out seriously injured, one of whom, a boy, died soon after the accident. Of the others, hopes are entertained of their recovery.

The boy who died was riding a horse at the time of the accident, and is supposed to have been pulled by the force of the air rushing toward the mouth of the mine -- the horse was also killed. The other persons who were taken out were also injured by the rushing of the air. About one hundred and fifty men who were at work mining, some distance from the place of the accident, escaped --... Read MORE...

1851: Carbondale was incorporated as a city in Luzerne County on March 15, 1851, making it the oldest city (the "Pioneer" city) in what later became Lackawanna County, and the fourth oldest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

wikipedia.org

1854 - Carbondale
Carbondale, a city of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, is situated at the head of Lackawanna valley, and near the source of the Lackawanna river, 30 miles N. E. from Wilkesbarro, and 145 miles N. E. from Harrisburg. A railroad, 17 miles long, connects it with Honesdale. This is the most populous town of Luzerne county, and the principal market of Northern Pennsylvania. In 1851 it was incorporated as a city, and preparations are making to build a city hall. Many handsome buildings have been erected here within a few years, and the population has rapidly increased. The Lackawanna valley, which is a continuation of the fertile valley of Wyoming, contains extensive beds of coal, which, in the vicinity of Carbondale, are about 20 feet in thickness. About 600,000 tons of coal are annually taken out from these mines by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and it is estimated that they pay out $1,200,000 in a year. The coal is drawn up several inclined planes by steam-engines to the height of... Read MORE...

1872 - FATAL MINING DISASTER. THE LACKAWANNA BREAKER BLOWN DOWN AND BURNED -- FIVE PERSONS KILLED AND ANOTHER NOT EXPECTED TO LIVE.
From Our Own Correspondent.

Scranton, Tuesday, April 2, 1872.

To prevent an accident in or about a coal mine is almost an impossibility. Outside is the breaker, towering to an altitude of 100 to 150 feet above the mouth of the shaft or slope. The breaker, constructed entirely of timber, becomes in time as dry as tinder, and liable from the least cause to be consumed by fire or to be blown down by a heavy gust of wind. Inside of the mine the accumulation of gas, the fall of top coal and premature blasts make it a dangerous place for men to be employed in. Still hundreds and thousands of men and boys are found ready and willing to engage in the risky work of digging and bringing coal from the mine. Constantly the news is heralded of some unfortunate miner losing his life, or being terribly injured, the last of which occurred yesterday afternoon, during the prevalence of a tornado.

The scene of the present disaster was the Lackawanna breaker, half a mile from Carbondale, and... Read MORE...

1890 - FATAL CRASH AT A SWITCH
Three Men Killed and Several Others Injured in a Wreck.

A frightful wreck occurred on the New York, Ontario and Western Railroad, at seven o'clock a few nights ago, at a point in Pennsylvania between Carbondale and Mayfield.

An engine, while trying to make a switch, crashed into a passenger train going in an opposite direction at full speed.

The engineers and firemen escaped by jumping, but were slightly injured.
CHARLES FINNEGAN, of Carbondale, a man named BURKE, of Jermyn, and another whose name was not learned, all of whom where[sic] passengers, were killed.

Several others passengers were painfully hurt.
The Cranbury Press
New Jersey
November 14, 1890

1895 - Carbondale
Carbondale, a city of Lackawannaco, Pa., situated on the Lackawanna River, near the north end of the Lackawanna Valley, 16 miles N.N.E. of Scranton, and 15 miles W. of Honesdale. It is on the Delaware & Hudson Rail road, and is the south terminus of the Jefferson Branch Railroad, which connects with the Erie Railroad at Susquehanna. It contains 8 churches, a national bank, 2 graded schools, a Catholic academy, a savings-bank, printing-offices which issue 2 weekly newspapers, 3 foundries, a brewery, and 2 planing-mills. Here are beds of coal (anthracite) about 20 feet thick. These mines are owned by the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, who send large quantities of coal to New York. It is drawn by steam engines on inclined planes over Moosic Mountain, which is about 850 feet higher than the valley. Much coal is also transported to Binghamton by the Jefferson Branch Rail road. Pop. in 1880, 7714; in 1890, 10,833.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1916
Carbondale, a city of Lackawanna co., Pa., situated on the Lackawanna River, near the north end of the Lackawanna Valley, and on the Delaware and Hudson, the Erie and the New York, Ontario and Western Rs., 16 miles N. by E. of Scranton. It contains machine-shops, foundries, bottling-, paint- and chemical works, silk-mills, etc. Here are massive deposits of anthracite coal, which are extensively worked. Pop. in 1890, 10,833 ; in 1900, 13,536.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1942 - Flood
In Tioga County, to the north, swiftly-moving waters inundated cellars and homes in Wellsboro.

Weissport, Carbon County, reported 10 feet of water in the streets covering houses to the second floor. Railroad traffic along the Lehigh was halted and only a few highways were open.

Six freight trains were stopped by a washout at Clark's Summit near Scranton. More than 250 persons were removed from homes in endangered areas and quarters in Scranton hotels.

At Dickson City, Lackawanna County, an unidentified boy fell into a swollen creek and was swept a quarter mile downstream before rescuers reached him.

Three men were injured at Mohnton, near Reading, when a frame house collapsed, throwing them into Wyomissing Creek.

At Pottstown, farther south on the Schuylkill, workmen began hauling tons of machinery for the new $35,000,000 Jacobs Aircraft engine factory from a waterfront warehouse.

A mile-long stretch of the Lehigh Valley railroad bed was washed out near... Read MORE...

2023 - Whether you're a local resident or a visitor passing through, there are plenty of places to go and things to do in Carbondale to keep you entertained. Here's a list to get you started:
Historic Carbondale Area: Carbondale is steeped in history, and you can explore its past by taking a walking tour of the historic downtown area. Visit the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce for brochures and maps to help you navigate the historic sites.

Carbondale Historical Society: If you're a history buff, the Carbondale Historical Society is a must-visit. They have a collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the town's rich history.

Carbondale Rail-Trail: Enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride on the Carbondale Rail-Trail. This 3.2-mile trail follows the old Delaware and Hudson railroad bed and offers beautiful views of the Lackawanna River.

Merli-Sarnoski Park: Located just outside of Carbondale, this park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. It features hiking trails, a fishing pond, picnic areas, and a disc golf course. It's a great place for a family outing or a peaceful day in nature.

Anthracite Heritage Museum: Learn about the... Read MORE...