Introduction to Swoyersville, Pennsylvania
Swoyersville, Pennsylvania is 13 miles SW of Scranton, Pennsylvania (center to center) and 96 miles NW of Newark, New Jersey. It is in Luzerne county. The town is part of the Scranton - - Wilkes - Barre - - Hazleton metro area.
Swoyersville History
John Henry Swoyer was a mine owner in the area, and the community was initially named "Swoyerville" in his honor. Incorporated in 1888, the community's economy was initially largely dependent on coal mining, but most of the mines stopped production in the mid-20th century. In the 1950's, residents of the town decided to change the spelling of the community's name to "Swoyersville." In 1972, following Hurricane Agnes, Swoyersville was flooded by the Susquehanna River. The town has been home to many professional athletes over the years, including Lou Michaels, Walt Michaels, and Joe Holup.
Swoyersville and Nearby Attractions
- Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum
- Steamtown National Historic Site
- Scranton Iron Furnaces
- Knoebels Amusement Park
- Hickory Run State Park
Things To Do In Swoyersville
The Steamtown National Historic Site houses exhibits that reflect the history of main line steam railroading during the 19th and 20th centuries. Scranton Iron Furnaces features the remains of stone blast furnaces that were built in the mid-1800s by the Lackawanna Iron & Coal Company. Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum showcases artifacts related to Pennsylvania's factories, mills, and mines, while the Everhart Museum includes natural history, paleontology, and art exhibits. The 15,500-acre Hickory Run State Park offers amenities for fishing, swimming, hiking, and camping. Similar facilities are also available at the Frances Slocum State Park. Knoebels Amusement Park is another popular destination in the region.
Swoyersville Transportation
Air transportation is available from Wilkes-Barre / Scranton International Airport.
Swoyersville Higher Education
King's College, Misericordia University, and Penn State Wilkes-Barre are the nearby colleges.
