Lackawanna County Courthouse and John Mitchell Monument
Why it's listed
Built in 1884 from rough-cut local stone with Onondaga limestone trim, the Romanesque Revival courthouse in downtown Scranton was designed by Isaac G. Perry of Binghamton, New York, and completed by John Snaith. A third story and tile roof added in 1896 introduced Late Victorian details such as Flemish wall dormers and pyramidal-roofed towers. Its Superior Courtroom on the second floor hosted the first session of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission in November and December 1902, which ended the Great Strike of anthracite miners. Labor leader John Mitchell was the most prominent witness. The courthouse square also holds the 1924 John Mitchell Monument, a heroic bronze statue set on granite with bas-relief scenes of miners at work and at home. It was funded by the United Mine Workers of America and commemorates the union's gains in wages and working hours. The site remains a gathering point for Mitchell Day observances.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the courthouse is nationally significant as the site of the first session of the Anthracite Coal Strike Commission in 1902, which arbitrated the Great Strike of anthracite workers. The monument is significant as a symbolic commemoration of labor leader John Mitchell and the United Mine Workers of America's achievements. The nomination recommends National Historic Landmark designation on labor history grounds.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97001257, listed November 5, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Bounded by Washington Ave., Linden St., Adams Ave., and Spruce St., Scranton |
|---|---|
| County | Lackawanna County |
| Listed | November 5, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97001257 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1902-1924 |
| Architect / builder | Courthouse: Isaac G. Perry (designer); John Snaith (builder); B. Taylor Lacey (1896 third floor). Monument: Philip B. Sheridan (designer); Charles Keck (sculptor) |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival; Late Victorian (Romanesque) with eclectic 1896 additions |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Industry, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The 1964 wing, a 1976 renovation with aluminum sash, and a 1979 stair tower are noted as later alterations; the Superior Courtroom retains much historic character. |
| Acreage | 4.7 |
| Within district | Lackawanna Avenue Commercial Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.40808, -75.66245 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97001257.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6468688
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.