With the anthracite mother lode located here, the story of “where America was built” begins in the Northern Region, home to major hard-coal supplies and where the mine-to-market process started. The legacy of this land is one of intense mining, industrial development and a rich mix of ethnic cultures. While Ice Age glacier travel left prehistoric markings on hillsides, plus the occasional boulder field created by glacial outwash, the region’s dramatic landscape also bears the proud scars of its anthracite-mining heritage.
Besides its geological, historical and industrial significance, this is a striking landscape rich in natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities that set it apart from the rest of the D&L Trail’s route.
Beginning with the city of Wilkes-Barre, the county seat, along the mighty Susquehanna River, the green, wooded hillsides slide smoothly into the valley floor, where anthracite deposits were eventually discovered, triggering the urban development that resulted in a string of towns, industries, mines, roads and rail lines to the south.
Today, the Wyoming Valley’s forested ridges and unique natural areas are linked to the Lehigh Valley by spectacular Lehigh Gorge State Park. This is a sharp contrast to former industrial and mining communities that maintain rich architectural and cultural ties to the past. The region’s pioneering spirit can still be felt here.
