The Scrantonian grew out of the particular curiosity that comes from growing up somewhere and then leaving. I spent my first twenty-some years in Scranton before moving away. This site is my way of looking back at the place that shaped me and understanding how it became the city I knew.

Scranton’s story runs through anthracite coal and iron rails. It lives in the neighborhoods, churches, and unions built by generations of immigrant families, and in what the city’s booms and busts left behind. The people, places, organizations, and events collected here offer a way into that history.

I am learning about the city by writing about it, one entry at a time. If you have a connection to Scranton, I hope you find something here that surprises you or fills in a gap. If you are curious, welcome to the Electric City.