TRANSPORTATION | Monroe County Historic Photo Album
The first train to come was from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western line, traveling from Scranton to New York on May 13, 1856. The first depot was built that year in Dansbury Manor, the town that was then renamed “East Stroudsburg” because of the railroad’s identification. Soon the county was peppered with train stations.
Like the stage coach lines before it, the railroad led to creation of new villages and hospitality businesses. Moreover, it connected Monroe County with large urban centers, increasing market opportunities for such big Pocono crops as ice.
Tourism thrived as the increased comfort of travel brought more vacationers to the Poconos. The horse was still necessary for local transportation, however. Stagecoach routes laced the Poconos. Trolleys were pulled by mules, then by steam engines called dummies, and eventually by electricity.
Today, the only trolleys in existence are for sightseeing, and some of the old train depots have been turned into museums or a restaurant serving tourists who come by automobile. A high-speed train line is desired by commuters who travel from the Poconos to jobs in metropolitan areas. The existing railroad is used for hauling freight.
Tourism thrived as the increased comfort of travel brought more vacationers to the Poconos. The horse was still necessary for local transportation, however. Stagecoach routes laced the Poconos. Trolleys were pulled by mules, then by steam engines called dummies, and eventually by electricity.
Today, the only trolleys in existence are for sightseeing, and some of the old train depots have been turned into museums or a restaurant serving tourists who come by automobile. A high-speed train line is desired by commuters who travel from the Poconos to jobs in metropolitan areas. The existing railroad is used for hauling freight.
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