PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania's map, divided into 67 distinct counties, tells a story of growth and evolution spanning centuries. While many counties trace their origins back to the colonial era or the early years of the United States, one holds the unique distinction of being the "newest" addition: Lackawanna County. Formed in 1878, Lackawanna County's creation marked the final chapter in the delineation of Pennsylvania's county boundaries.
Lackawanna County: The Final Piece - Pennsylvania's Newest County, Born in 1878
This article explores the history behind the formation of Pennsylvania's youngest county.
A Post-Civil War Creation (1878)
Lackawanna County officially came into existence on August 13, 1878, making it the 67th and final county to be established in Pennsylvania. (Source: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Lackawanna County historical records). This relatively late formation sets it apart chronologically.
- Unique Distinction: Lackawanna County is the only county in Pennsylvania to be created after the American Civil War. All other 66 counties were established either during the colonial period or in the decades following the nation's founding, up until the mid-19th century.
Forged from Dispute: Originating from Luzerne County
The creation of Lackawanna County was not a simple administrative division; it was the culmination of a protracted dispute. The county was carved out from the northern portion of the much larger Luzerne County (Source: Histories of Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties). Residents in the northern part of Luzerne County, centered around the growing city of Scranton, felt geographically and politically disconnected from the county seat in Wilkes-Barre and advocated for their own separate county. This push for separation, debated for years, finally succeeded in 1878.
Named for a River
The county takes its name from a significant local waterway. Lackawanna County is named after the Lackawanna River, which flows through the region. The name "Lackawanna" itself is derived from a Lenape (Delaware Indian) term meaning "stream that forks" (Source: Local historical accounts, etymological dictionaries).
Lackawanna County Today
Located in northeastern Pennsylvania, Lackawanna County is part of the state's anthracite coal region. Its largest city and county seat is Scranton. While its formation is relatively recent compared to other Pennsylvania counties, it has played a significant role in the state's industrial and cultural history.
Lackawanna County holds a unique place in Pennsylvania's history as its 67th and final county, established in 1878. Born out of a desire for separate governance and carved from the northern part of Luzerne County after years of debate, it stands as the only county formed after the Civil War. Named for the river that flows through it, Lackawanna County's creation completed the map of Pennsylvania's counties as we know it today, marking the end of an era in the state's administrative evolution.
