Monroe County and Delaware Water Gap first saw through rail service on a spring day one hundred forty four years ago, when the first Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad train departed Scranton, Pa. for Elizabethport, N. J. Just below Portland the train would cross the Delaware River then operate over the tracks of the Warren Railroad to Hampton, N. J. and finish its trip on the Central Railroad of New Jersey to Elizatbethport, N. J. where passengers could board a Central Railroad steamer to downtown Manhattan.

Some years later the DL&W would acquire the Morris & Essex Railroad and establish its own through route from Hoboken, N. J., to Buffalo, N. Y. The Lackawanna would become a major passenger railroad over the years with modern and clean passenger trains because their locomotives burned Pennsylvania anthracite coal. The Lackawanna also became one of the major anthracite coal hauling railroads in the east.

Within thirty years of this first train's historic run to Elizabethport the DL&W Railroad's Passenger Marketing Department had commenced a "fresh air" advertising campaign which told the New York metropolitan area residents about the beautiful scenery, fishing and fresh air of the Pocono Mountains. By the turn of the twentieth century Delaware Water Gap had become a resort community. The Gap had made a reputation for itself and was listed in some of the guidebooks of the day as one of the fifteen scenic marvels of the United States. Some of those famous resorts located in the Gap and surrounding areas were the Kittatinny House, Water Gap House (President Theodore Roosevelt stayed here while touring the country after his second term in office), the Mountain House, the Glenwood House (still operating today), and the River Farm House. The America House was within walking distance from the station.

On March 2, 1902 tragedy struck the community of Delaware Water Gap when an explosion of unknown origin and fire erupted in the 46 year old wooden station of the Lackawanna. Before the fire could be brought under control it damaged several other buildings in the community.

March 2, 1899 the Board of Managers of the Lackawanna Railroad accepted the resignation of long time President Samual Sloan and they would elect William Haynes Truesdale as his replacement. Almost immediately Truesdale would undertake a total rehabilitation of the railroad. Mr. Truesdale appointed company engineer Frank Nies to design a new and more appropriate station for the "Gateway to the Poconos". Mr. Nies would design the only brick railroad station in Monroe County, a station that would stand, with pride, and serve the Lackawanna Railroad, the Pocono Mountain region and the community of Delaware Water Gap for the next fifty years as the "Gateway".

As America left the steel wheels of the railroads for the rubber wheels of the family passenger car service declined, and so did the need for the beautiful but expensive railroad stations. In the mid-1950's the Lackawanna Railroad discontinued stopping at Water Gap. East Stroudsburg became the main stop in eastern Monroe County for the local resorts.

The station was sold to the Borough and was used for several years as a storage facility. With little or no repairs made, and left to the hammers and chisels of the vandals, the station fell into disrepair. Today this once beautiful structure, which greeted thousands and thousands seeking the spendor, grandeur and fresh air of the Poconos lies in a state of deterioration.

The Lackawanna Chapter is seeking funds to help us begin the process of stabilization, which will climax in the complete restoration of this historic structure.

Photo Album

Restoration Progress Report

Project Plans

Return to R&LHS Home Page