We learned a lot about Scranton's history on our trolley ride. Scranton PA bears the nick-name "The Electric City" because it was the first city in the nation to fully utilize electricity for its trolley system. Our trolley took us on a typical route from one station out to the ball field. Most trolleys (back in the day) ran to baseball fields. In fact, the L. A. Dodgers baseball team actually started in Brooklyn NY as the Brooklyn Baseball Dodgers. Their name was derived from the fact that the trolley stopped right in front of the stadium and to get to the pitch one had to dodge several trolleys running across the tracks. The trolley in Scranton also ran to a baseball field. With so many trolleys running to baseball fields it's no wonder that baseball became "the American past time"! This sign (circa 1920) would have been put on the trolley on game day to distinguish it from other trolleys with different destinations.
Thank you Brian, Lisa, Dorre, Kathy, Peter, Sharon, Lou Ann, Ferry, Kathy, and Nina!