Dalton's small-town living with a rich history outside Scranton
Dalton is a small borough just outside Scranton that was once a bustling stop on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. Buildings in the borough's center dating back over 100 years call back to the region's history as a commercial and agricultural hub in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Although the rail line no longer runs, the borough has preserved its old-time charm, with well-maintained homes from the early 20th century and a quaint downtown. The community has maintained a population of about 1,300 people for decades, and turnover is slow. "The people who live here have lived here forever," says Heather DiSario, Dalton's administrative assistant. Still, thriving local businesses and longstanding community events like the annual Dalton Fire Company Carnival contribute to the borough's ongoing small-town appeal.
Well-preserved, hundred-year-old homes and newer builds
Traditional homes and American foursquares built in the late 1800s and early 1900s display their historic charm in the center of town. Many of these properties maintain their original exteriors but feature fresh coats of paint and remodeled interiors. Newer homes include ranches, bi-levels and Colonial Revivals. Homes with over 2,000 square feet of living space usually sell for between $310,000 and $750,000, while smaller homes sell for between $150,000 and $300,000. Properties in need of total renovations can sell for less.
The Trolley Trail and Streamside Park are among recreation options
Families can amble along Ackerly Creek at Streamside Park, a peaceful, shaded park with a playground and softball diamond. Platt Park, off Main Street in Dalton's downtown area, has benches and a quad area that hosts the borough's annual Christmas tree lighting and summer concerts. The Trolley Trail, a walking and biking path in the old Northern Electric Trolley corridor, connects Dalton with Clarks Summit, and the Countryside Conservancy Trolley Trail has further plans to expand the path to Lake Winola. Also nearby, the nearly 1,500-acre Lackawanna State Park has a lake and several waterways surrounded by dense, green foliage and forest. Camping, kayaking and hiking are all popular activities.
The Dalton Fire Company Carnival is the borough's most popular event
The Dalton Fire Company Carnival in July is the borough's cornerstone event. Held for over 100 years, the community gathers to ride rides, admire hot rods and vintage cars, enter raffles and listen to live music among the borough's scenic, rolling fields. The fire company also hosts an annual Memorial Day parade, featuring a memorial service at Veteran's Park. Several other events bring locals together, including the Community & Commerce Association's Farm to Family Festival. This festival first took place in September 2023 at Stream Side Park and has celebrated the area's agriculture each year since. Festivities have included floral arranging, beekeeping and cooking demonstrations, and vendors.
Essential services and local businesses on Main Street
Conveniences along Dalton's historic Main Street include a post office, local pharmacy and the Dalton Community Library. McGrath's Pub & Eatery is an Irish bar on Main Street serving burgers and wings, and 9th House Knits & Gifts sells knickknacks and handmade goods. A 5 mile drive down U.S. Route 11 leads to Weis Markets and other nearby grocers and businesses.
Taking U.S. Route 11 to Scranton
U.S. Route 11 goes through Dalton and takes commuters the 10 miles into Scranton. "It's close to Scranton, which isn't a major city, but it's larger," DiSario says. With a population of about 75,000, Scranton is home to Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital, one of several nearby medical facilities. Drivers can also take Route 11 and Interstate 476 to get to Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport. Dalton has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average of 4.
Regional schools in nearby Factoryville serve students
Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center serves kindergarten through sixth-grade students in the area and has a B-minus rating from Niche. Students continue to attend Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School, which has a C-plus Niche rating. This school hosts 20 student clubs and organizations, including the Inclusion Club, Geeks Guild, Yarn Club and Jazz Band.
Some buildings are vulnerable to flooding
Many creeks go through the area, and some buildings in Dalton are in a flood zone. In 2023, flash flooding damaged 250 buildings and many roads in the community, including significant damage to the municipal building downtown.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
