Lackawanna Station Hotel - Scranton PA

The Lackawanna Station was built in 1908 when Scranton was a railroad hub and had five major railroads running through it. Today it's a hotel, converted in 1983 and renovated in 2006, which is run by the Radisson chain and I must say this must be one of the jewels in its crown, certainly on the east coast of the U.S. From the outside, this six story neo-classical structure appears solid and permanent - meant to last several lifetimes, and it is. On the inside, The Grand Lobby is breathtaking and if you sit there long enough taking in all of the details, you can imagine it a bustling train terminal once again with ticket booths under the marble arches and doors opening to the tracks that could take you anywhere in the U.S. The lobby features an ornate tile floor, rare Sienna marble walls and 36 unique hand-painted faience tile murals from the DL&W (Delaware, Lackawanna & Western) Mainline, and it's all illuminated by natural light filtered through a tiffany barrel vaulted stained-glass ceiling. The beauty and richness in all of the details and materials speaks volumes about the immense success of the railroads at the turn of the 20th century and their significance in American business.

The Lackawanna Station was and is considered one of the most beautiful railroad terminals in the country and we thought you might like to see what we enjoyed so thoroughly.

 
HDR Photos © 2010 Peter Tooker
Music: It's Only A Paper Moon by Derek Paravicini

 

Comments

[Martha Pierce]

Man!!! Now we are going to have to stop there. Can't wait for our car to need a turn-up in Scranton assuming it is ever coming back from LA.

[Barbara Andolsek Paintings]

Beautiful!