Historically Hip is going old school with our latest episode – Destruction of ancient Roman cities and adventures in the wild west. Give a listen.
Here is additional information on items we touched upon during our discussion of large scale events at the Scranton Driving Park in the late 19th Century –
Article by local history columnist Erin Nissley on the history of the early race tracks in the Scranton area – https://www.thetimes-tribune.
Last Days of Pompeii
An advertisement for the show “Last Days of Pompeii” that was held at the Scranton Driving Park starting on July 28, 1891. Times-Tribune Archives
July 29, 1891 article on the opening night of the Pompeii spectacular –
August 8, 1891 article on the fire at the Driving Park caused by the Pompeii spectacular –
Nero and the Destruction of Rome
May 19, 1891 article on the circus performance –
Podcast extra – Wild West Shows
As promised here is information at the local appearances by Buffalo Bill Cody and his wild west show and Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Show.
Buffalo Bill Cody
Over the years, Buffalo Bill made several appearances in Scranton. His first visit came on November 27, 1874 with his play “The Scouts of the Plains” presented at the Scranton Opera House. Next he would make two appearances at the Academy of Music. The first was on January 21, 1879 with the play “Knights of the Plains.” He would return to the Academy on December 29, 1883 his production called “Twenty Days!”
His next appearance was on September 12 and 13, 1884 with his Wild West Show at the Scranton Driving Park. It was reported in the Sept. 13, 1884 edition of the Scranton Republican that 4,000 people were attendance for the afternoon performance on Sept. 12 that featured the reenactment of stage coach robbery at Deadwood.
Pawnee Bill
Pawnee Bill brought his wild west show to the Scranton Driving Park on Sept. 19 and 20, 1890. His show also featured a reenactments of the Mountain Meadow Massacre of 1857, a Native American attack on a trapper’s cabin and a Deadwood stage coach robbery.
Previous Podcast Episodes –
Episode 2 – The Lions of Scranton
Episode 1 – To The Moon and Chappaquiddick
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
