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See Scranton Iron Furnaces
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The place
About Scranton Iron Furnaces
The Scranton Iron Furnaces preserve four stone blast-furnace stacks from the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company. The complex began in 1840, expanded into one of the nation’s major iron producers, and made rails and other products that helped supply American railroad growth.
The surviving stacks date from the industrial complex’s mid-19th-century expansion. By 1865 the company had the largest iron-production capacity in the United States; by 1880 it produced 125,000 tons of pig iron before the works moved to Lackawanna, New York, in 1902.
Today the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission maintains the four-acre outdoor historic site with support from the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Iron Furnaces Associates. Ordinary visits are self-guided unless a tour or program is specifically scheduled.
What stands out
Railroad iron made tangible
The furnaces connect Steamtown’s locomotives and track to the industry that manufactured rails at enormous scale.
Four surviving stone stacks
The massive masonry provides a strong visual sense of 19th-century furnace construction.
A free outdoor stop
Dawn-to-dusk access makes the site flexible before or after timed museum and train activities.
Pair it with the train
Why it belongs in a Steamtown National Historic Site trip
The furnaces produced T-rails and sit along the Laurel Line route used by Electric City trolley excursions, making them a direct industrial complement to Steamtown. Visit independently for a close look at the stacks, or see them briefly from the trolley as part of a three-stop rail-history day.
Before you go
Plan your visit
- HoursThe Commonwealth and site pages list year-round outdoor access from dawn to dusk.
- AdmissionNo general admission charge is published for an ordinary self-guided outdoor visit. Guided tours and events may use separate arrangements.
- InterpretationDo not assume a guide or staffed visitor building. Call the Anthracite Heritage Museum for guided-tour information or check the event calendar.
- SettingThis is a four-acre outdoor historic park. Dress for weather and expect uneven historic-site conditions around masonry and grass.
- AccessibilityNo current detailed route-surface or restroom access statement was found. Call the museum before relying on a specific mobility accommodation.
- SafetyRemain in open visitor areas, keep children close near masonry and slopes, and do not treat interior-looking furnace openings as unrestricted access.
Rail connection
Add Electric City Trolley Museum
Ride the former Laurel Line past the furnaces after exploring Scranton’s electric-railway museum beside Steamtown.
Useful answers
Frequently asked questions
Are the Scranton Iron Furnaces free?
The Commonwealth does not publish a general admission fee for an ordinary outdoor visit. Tours and special programs may have separate arrangements.
When can I visit?
Official sources list the outdoor site as open year-round from dawn to dusk.
Is there always a guide?
No. Treat an ordinary visit as self-guided unless the Anthracite Heritage Museum has confirmed a tour or event.
What is the railroad connection?
The Lackawanna company produced T-rails, and today the Electric City trolley excursion passes the site on the former Laurel Line.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
A current detailed route-access statement was not found. Call the Anthracite Heritage Museum about surfaces, parking, and any specific accommodation before visiting.
Trust and accuracy
Sources
Source checked 2026-08-11. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.