Origins and Development
The Lackawanna Steel Company was founded in 1840 by the Scranton family in Scranton, Pennsylvania, initially as an iron foundry. The company gained prominence by adopting innovative techniques and expanding into steel production. By the 1890s, it was a major player in the growing American steel industry, benefiting from the region’s rich coal and iron ore resources. Its success was fueled by the burgeoning railroad industry, which created a significant demand for iron rails and steel products.
Relocation to New York
In the early 1900s, the company moved its operations to a new site in West Seneca, near Buffalo, New York, seeking better transportation infrastructure and proximity to the Great Lakes. This new plant became one of the largest steel-making facilities in the world at that time, employing thousands of workers. The move led to the establishment of the town of Lackawanna, New York, which developed rapidly around the plant.
Challenges and Merger
Despite early success, the company faced numerous challenges, including labor strikes and increasing competition from larger steel producers. These issues, combined with changes in the steel industry, led to its merger with Bethlehem Steel in 1922. Under Bethlehem Steel’s ownership, Lackawanna Steel continued to operate, but its influence waned as the American steel industry struggled against foreign competition and changing market conditions in the latter half of the 20th century.
Closure and Legacy
The Lackawanna plant closed in 1982, marking the end of its industrial legacy. The site was redeveloped in subsequent decades, and only a few remnants of the original structures remain. However, the impact of the company on the region is still remembered, as it played a crucial role in the development of both Scranton and the Buffalo area.
Gallery
Early Lackawanna Steel Furnaces in Scranton, PA
The New Plant in West Seneca, NY (c. 1903)