Carbondale in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Gravity Railroad Monument

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

1. Gravity Railroad Monument Marker

Inscription. The president, managers, and company of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company completed in 1829, the Gravity Railroad between Carbondale and Honesdale, in Pennsylvania. It was the second railroad constructed in the western hemisphere. The “Stourbridge Lion,” the first stream locomotive used in this continent, was built in England for this line and made its trial trip from Honesdale on August 8, 1829. The first shipment of coal over this railroad left the mines on October 9, 1829, and in 1830 the line was opened for general freight. The first passenger train was operated in 1859. In 1898 operation by gravity and inclined planes was discontinued, and in 1899 the line was changed to standard gauge and operated throughout its entire length by steam locomotives as an integral portion of the lines of the Delaware and Hudson Company. This shaft was erected in 1913 in commemoration of these historic events. John Bolton was President in 1829, R. M. Olyphant in 1898, and L. F. Loree in 1913.

Erected 1913.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is August 8, 1829.

Location. 41° 34.515′ N,

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75° 29.884′ W. Marker is in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. It is at the intersection of Canaan Street (Business U.S. 6) and Belmont Street on Canaan Street. The monument is located in Gravity Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 97 Main Street (US 6), Carbondale PA 18407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in the Wyoming Valley

and in Greater Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gravity Park and the Gravity Railroad Historic Site (here, next to this marker); Gravity Railroad (a few steps from this marker); Gravity Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Delaware & Hudson Canal Company Office Building

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 28, 2015

2. Gravity Railroad Monument Marker

(about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Faith and Family: Houses of Worship (approx. ¼ mile away); Church Street: Five of Carbondale’s many historic Churches (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Jerome F. O’Malley (approx. 0.3 miles away); Col. Alvin D. Ungerleider (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carbondale.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 16, 2016

3. Gravity Railroad Monument Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 25, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 688 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on October 25, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.