Carbondale, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carbondale, Pennsylvania
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City
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| Nickname(s):
The Pioneer City
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Location of Carbondale in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
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 Carbondale, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Carbondale, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Lackawanna |
| Established | 1824 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.24 sq mi (8.40 km2) |
| • Land | 3.24 sq mi (8.40 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,043 ft (318 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 8,828 |
| • Density | 2,722.17/sq mi (1,051.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
18407
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| Area code(s) | 570 |
| FIPS code | 42-11232 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1215315 |
Carbondale is a city in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is about 15 miles northeast of Scranton. In 2020, about 8,828 people lived there.
Carbondale is known as "The Pioneer City." It played a big part in the early days of coal mining in the United States. It was also a major hub for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad.
The city was started by William and Maurice Wurts. They founded the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. Many immigrants came to Carbondale for work. They came from places like Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Italy. They worked in the coal mines and on the railroads.
Contents
Carbondale's Location
Carbondale is in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Census Bureau says the city covers about 3.2 square miles (8.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
People of Carbondale
The number of people living in Carbondale has changed over time. It grew a lot in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This was when the coal industry was very strong.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 2,398 | — | |
| 1850 | 4,945 | 106.2% | |
| 1860 | 5,090 | 2.9% | |
| 1870 | 6,393 | 25.6% | |
| 1880 | 7,714 | 20.7% | |
| 1890 | 10,833 | 40.4% | |
| 1900 | 13,536 | 25.0% | |
| 1910 | 17,040 | 25.9% | |
| 1920 | 18,640 | 9.4% | |
| 1930 | 20,061 | 7.6% | |
| 1940 | 19,371 | −3.4% | |
| 1950 | 16,296 | −15.9% | |
| 1960 | 13,595 | −16.6% | |
| 1970 | 12,478 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 11,255 | −9.8% | |
| 1990 | 10,664 | −5.3% | |
| 2000 | 9,804 | −8.1% | |
| 2010 | 8,891 | −9.3% | |
| 2020 | 8,828 | −0.7% | |
After 1940, the population slowly went down. This happened as the coal mining industry ended.
In 2020, there were 8,828 people living in Carbondale. Most people were White. There were also people of African American, Native American, and Asian backgrounds. About 7.2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Carbondale's History
The Carbondale Historical Society and Museum keeps track of the city's past. The Carbondale City Hall and Courthouse is an important old building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Carbondale was the site of the first deep anthracite coal mine in the U.S. A mine fire started there in 1946. It burned until the early 1970s.
Important Firsts in Carbondale
Carbondale has a history of many "firsts":
- 1829: The Delaware and Hudson Gravity Railroad started running. This was the first successful commercial railroad in America. It went from Carbondale to Honesdale.
- 1833: The first Saint Patrick's Day parade in what is now Lackawanna County happened here. Irish people in Carbondale wanted to celebrate their homeland's patron saint.
- 1850: The first eisteddfod in America was held in Carbondale. An eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of music and literature. It took place on Christmas Day.
- 1851: Carbondale became a city on March 15, 1851. This makes it the oldest city in what became Lackawanna County. It is also the fourth oldest city in Pennsylvania.
- 1853: The first lodge of the Welsh Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites opened in Carbondale. This group held its first public celebration in America here in 1855.
Famous People from Carbondale
Many notable people have connections to Carbondale:
- James Archbald: Carbondale's first mayor.
- Patrick De Lacey: Earned the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War.
- William J. Goebel: A politician who became the 34th Governor of Kentucky.
- Robert Wood Johnson I: An entrepreneur who started Johnson & Johnson.
- Jerome F. O'Malley: A four-star general in the U.S. Air Force.
- Terry Pegula: Owner of the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and Buffalo Sabres (NHL). He is also a natural gas businessman.
- Joseph R. Sarnoski: A Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.
- Andy Seigle: A professional basketball player.
- Danny Seigle: Also a professional basketball player.
- William Henry Stanton: A U.S. Congressman.
- George D. Stoddard: A president of several universities.
- Ed Wade: A former general manager for baseball teams like the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Glenn Pettinato: Former President of UNICO National.
- Dr. Peter Pettinato: A veterinarian and current President of UNICO National.
Getting Around Carbondale
Carbondale has several ways to travel.
Highways
U.S. Business Route 6 goes through Carbondale's Main Street. The Robert P. Casey Memorial Highway (U.S. Route 6) is a four-lane road. It runs near Carbondale and connects to Interstate 81.
Railroads
Carbondale was very important for railroads. It was where America's first steam locomotive, the Stourbridge Lion, arrived in 1829. It was a main stop for the Delaware and Hudson Railway. Other railroads like the Erie Railroad also served the city.
Today, the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority uses a remaining D&H mainline track. This track goes to Scranton. Sometimes, Steamtown National Historic Site runs special trains from Scranton to the Carbondale Station.
Buses
The County of Lackawanna Transit System (COLTS) provides bus service in Carbondale. The #52 and #82 bus lines serve the city.
Media in Carbondale
WCDL-AM 1440 has been broadcasting in the area since 1950. WTRW broadcasts on 94.3 FM.
See also
In Spanish: Carbondale (Pensilvania) para niños
