Discover Scranton, PA: Top 7 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew!

1. First Electric Streetcar Test

Before Thomas Edison could "light up" those light bulbs in his head and amp up our lives, Charles J. Van Depoele was busy "conducting" some electrifying business in Scranton, PA: On November 29, 1886, Scranton became the site of the first electric streetcar test run, giving birth to the Electric City and paving the way for the official debut of the first public electric streetcar on November 30, 1886. Flash forward to today, and you can hop aboard history at the Electric City Trolley Museum.
Source => ectma.org

2. America's Electric City

Who needs Hogwarts Express when you’ve got the Electric City Express? Scranton, Pennsylvania, is where America plugged in: Home to the first electric-operated trolley system in 1886, Scranton keeps its roots alive with a radiant Electric City sign in its downtown area and an Anthracite Heritage Museum where visitors can tour underground, exploring the history of coal mining and textile industries.
Source => mentalfloss.com

Did you know Philadelphia is home to the iconic "Rocky Steps" and the famous Rocky Statue? Channel your inner Stallone and climb the 72-stair staircase for a victorious photo-op at the Philadelphia Museum of Art! 🥊🏆💪

=> Fun Facts about Philadelphia

3. "The Office" Connection

If you ever find yourself in Scranton, Pennsylvania, don't be surprised if you suddenly feel the urge to shout, "That's what she said!": This unsuspecting city served as the inspiration for many props and references in "The Office," with local landmarks such as Cooper's Seafood House, Poor Richard's pub, and the Lackawanna County Coal Mine Tour featuring prominently in the show's nine-season run. Not only did Scranton host a colossal 2007 "Office Convention," but the series' stars, including Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski, and Rainn Wilson, recently attended an epic "Wrap Party" in town that drew a whopping 10,000 fans.
Source => ctvnews.ca

4. Electric Street Car Service

In Scranton, PA, where "The Office" was never filmed but set, it seems they pioneered a transportation method less exciting than a Michael Scott-led conference room meeting: Scranton was one of the first cities in America to have a commercial electric-street car service in 1886, developed by inventor Charles Van Depoele, transforming the way folks traveled to work, baseball games, and even amusement parks, until the Scranton Suburban streetcar company ceased operations in 1954.
Source => explorepahistory.com

5. Home of Old Forge Pizza

You know you're in Scranton when Michael Scott seems like your friendly neighbor and pizza deviates from the usual round shape: That's right, Scranton, PA, home to The Office's Dunder Mifflin and the tastebud-tantalizing Old Forge Pizza – a worldwide sensation! Apart from these pop culture connections, Scranton boasts a fascinating industrial history displayed at the Lackawanna Coal Mine and Steamtown National Historic Site, all nestled along the picturesque Route 6 corridor, the perfect spot for a summer road trip through nine stunning Pennsylvania counties.
Source => whereandwhen.com

6. Grief Support at Cathedral

In the city that brought us the "World's Best Cup of Coffee" and "The Office," one might expect to find a quirky ventriloquist support group or a society dedicated to the lost art of juggling. In true Scranton fashion, however, they take care of their own in a wonderfully unexpected way: The Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton, Pennsylvania, hosts a dedicated Grief Support Ministry, offering solace and support to those who have recently lost loved ones with empathetic guidance from trained and compassionate individuals.
Source => stpeterscathedral.org

7. La Festa Italiana's Talent Showcase

Step aside, pizza and pasta: there's more to Scranton's La Festa Italiana than just tantalizing your taste buds! The festival doubles as a talent showcase, featuring a smorgasbord of performances such as premier tenor T.J. Capobianco and the Ballet Theatre of Scranton doing Italian-Folk street dances, as well as hosting the Ninth Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk, benefiting local organizations and scholarships.
Source => lafestaitaliana.org