I had spent my first summer, fall and winter in Scranton. My pocket was full of money.
Someone told me about one of the wonders of the world; The Starucca Viaduct.
I just had to see it.
I bummed a ride in the caboose of a train heading for the Susquehanna, Pennsylvania railroad yard. They did a lot of railroad engine and car repair work there.
It was also the home of Joseph Smith and the Mormon religion – – – but I will save that for another time.
When I reached Susquehanna I still could not see the Starucca Viaduct. I was told that I had a two mile hike to Lanesboro if I wanted to see the viaduct. So I hiked.
I took the normal route – – – up and over the hill. The people were very friendly when I asked for directions.
The viaduct was, well, what can I say? It was one of the worlds wonders. The people in Lanesboro told me that the railroad owners did not want to pay the builder for his work. They were afraid the viaduct would not handle the load. So he threatened to sue. The owners decided, as a test, to send an empty train over the viaduct at slow speed. So the engineer started the engine, put it in low gear and hopped off – – – sending the driverless train over the viaduct.
It made the trip safely. Another engineer hopped aboard the engine on the other side.
The viaduct has been in use ever since. Now I can’t say this is a true story because I did not see it with my own eyes; but I believe it.
waldotomosky 
Oh what a great post! I love the way we can discover so much fabulous things and the story behind with you!
Thanks Easy. I hope to continue making your days interesting.
Take care and thanks for all the great comments you send my way.
thank you for bringing back some wonderful memories. We often forget our ‘wonders’ right under our nose. Living in Virginia now I have a large picture of this wonder on my wall and would not part with it.
Glad to be able to bring back memories of that era. I envy your picture of the Viaduct.
Did you go swimming in the Devil’s Punchbowl?
I loved to go fishing in that little creek that runs through Lanesborough by the concrete viaduct. Not in Lanesborough but up in the hills above it.
Did you ever see that old stone building and stone dam just above Lanesborough? They made some of the first electric motors in that building. Last time I saw the building and the dam they were falling down.(1970’s).
I think the creek was named Canasawacta and it started from some springs in an area called Bear Swamp.
Thanks for reading my posts.
Thank you for the article on our viaduct. I lived my first 23 years of my life in Lanesboro, Pa. I have always known the value of this piece of stone work. I am glad to see thru eyes, what you thought of it also. Lanesboro, a was once a thriving town now struggling with poverty like so many small towns in America. My Dad used to own one of 2 gas stations in town later changed his business to Great Bend about 15 minutes away.At one time there was a Ford dealership there, schools, post office, foundry,3 grocery stores, a cab company, water power plant, 2 hotels, 2 coal businesses, and so much more but sadly all gone now.But the Starucca viaduct remains.
I have always lived in Binghamton, Johnson City or Vestal but made my weekly trips to Lanesboro to go fishing in that little creek that comes down off the mountain (Canasawacta?). It is a pretty little town and I remember some of what you spoke of. The town always looked neat and trim.
Over towards Stevens Point on the Starucca Creek there was a general store that sold penny candy.
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love this blog and thank you for this history, I grew up in Susquehanna and left when I found out it didn’t snow everywhere in DEc.-April and now I stay there _about 4 miles up the river from the Viaduct.. that Viaduct continues to enthrall me
The viaduct is indeed magical. Its immenseness catches most of us who view it from below.
Thank you Stuart for reading my posts
I lived in Stevens Point most of my life. My Aunt and Uncle, the Geers ran the store. We swam and fished the creek on a daily basis and drove or walked under the “Bridge of Stone” thousands of time, and was amazed every time. We went to the Devils Punchbowl many times. My grandparent lived nearby there during the depression and told us about the Hobo camp just up the tracks.
What a great place you had to grow up in.
Thanks for your comments on the area.
I’m originally from Binghamton. On Sunday afternoons we’d head down to find the illusive Devil’s Punchbowl. We were kids (practically), and would get a thrill watching the young hippie girls swimming, sans suits, at the Punchbowl. Then we’d head over to Starucca to see the viaduct–seemed magical. Loved swimming in the punchbowl, too. But last time I saw it (probably 25+ yrs ago), it looked contaminated with red water. I assumed it may have been either runoff from a quarry or maybe some sort of algae from some contamination. That entire area when we were young seemed like a hidden, magical place.
Hi Elf, So many people have replied that they visited the punchbowl but now it appears that people who live within a few miles of it do not even know it is there. One person told me that he walked through the tunnel/stone culvert that runs from the punchbowl and under the railroad tracks. Better man than I would be. I can just imagine the rattle and big black water snakes that live in that culvert.
Thanks for commenting.