Welcome to the Carbondale Historical Society!

History is not there for you to like or dislike.
It is there for you to learn from.
And if it offends you, even better,
because you are less likely to repeat it.
History is not yours to change or destroy.

The Director’s Column

Delaware and Hudson Books of Minutes Surface in California

by S. Robert Powell

"AN ACT to Incorporate the President, Managers and Company of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company" was passed by a two-thirds vote of the New York State legislature, with the approval of the Governor, and became law on April 23, 1823. One hundred and fifty or more years later, the final residue of "America's oldest continuously-operated transportation company" (the D&H), ended up in the holdings of the International House of Pancakes in the Los Angeles area in California. The precise path by which those D&H corporate remains ended up in the holdings of companies acquired by IHOP Corporation is not known, and, for our purposes, knowing that path is not really important.

What is important, for our purposes, is that James Stamm was working for IHOP Corporation at the time, and that he was charged with clearing out/getting rid of items acquired by IHOP Corporation from companies acquired by IHOP Corporation in previous years that IHOP no longer wanted. In doing so, James Stamm (whose father was a railroad inspector in Kansas) came across and acquired three volumes of Delaware and Hudson Company minutes. He recognized, immediately, the historical importance of these three volumes and gave it his best to find a home for them, but was not successful in doing so. In December 2021, he passed away.

In May 2023, his wife, Nancy Stamm, contacted Barbara Bachorz, at the Bridge Line Historical Society, and told her about the three volumes of D&H corporate minutes, and said that she was hoping to find a permanent home for them. Barbara and Jim recognized immediately the historical importance of these volumes and contacted the present writer and told him about them. "Such wonderful news," said he, "We must get these volumes."

The present writer contacted Nancy Stamm and told her that the Carbondale Historical Society would be very pleased to add these three volumes to its D&H archives, and would be happy to pay to have them shipped to Pennsylvania. ("They're quite heavy," said Nancy. The books were shipped. The weight of three volumes is such that it cost—no complaints on our part, to be sure--$150 have them shipped, UPS Ground, from California.). Photographs of these three remarkable volumes, 11" x 16 x 3"--two of which have locks on them (the locks are now open)--are shown here.

The three volumes: (1) "Minutes. Volume No. 6: January 5, 1894—December 30, 1903, Inc. Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, 498 pages"; (2) "Minutes. Volume No. 7: January 27, 1904—January 2, 1907, Inc. The Delaware and Hudson Company, 312 pages; and (3) "Minutes. No. 1: December 4, 1928—December 30, 1936, The Delaware and Hudson Railroad Corporation, 478 pages."

The three volumes contain 1,288 pages of minutes of the meetings of the D&H Board of Directors for 22 years! What an unbelievable resource. I will begin at once to read these three remarkable volumes. Newly learned facts and revelations about the D&H will be reported in the pages of this publication in the months ahead! Stay tuned.

* * * * * *

D&H Caboose No. 35964 now on display beside Carbondale City Hall. Working together to celebrate Carbondale’s astonishing history and to create a bright future for the Pioneer City (Carbondale is the oldest incorporated city in Lackawanna County and the fourth oldest incorporated city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—after Philadelphia, Lancaster, and York), the City of Carbondale and the Carbondale Historical Society placed on display in downtown Carbondale, on August 15, 2021, this important D&H railcar. Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964 One of the primary missions of the Carbondale Historical Society is to preserve important artifacts from Carbondale’s historic past. One such artifact is D&H Caboose No. 35964, which the Society acquired in December 2010, and which was put on display next to Carbondale City Hall in August 2021. When the Historical Society purchased the Caboose in 2010, a “Friends” group was established. That “Friends” group is still in existence (with 85 members at present), and we continue to welcome all persons who are interested in this Caboose and its future to become members of the “Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964”. To become a member, and to help create a bright future for this important D&H railcar, complete the membership form given below, and mail your tax-deductible contribution (perhaps in honor of a living person or in memory of a deceased person who worked for the D&H or in the anthracite coal mining industry*) to: Carbondale Historical Society, Post Office Box 151, Carbondale, PA 18407 Your name_________________________________________________________________________ Your address_______________________________________________________________________ Phone and E-Mail____________________________________________________________________ * All donors will be listed in the official historical logbook of the history of Caboose No. 35964. Those who donate $100 or more will be presented with a certificate recognizing their contribution on behalf of Caboose No. 35964. * * * * * * * *Members of the Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964, as of September 29, 2021:1.      Richard T. Buberniak 2.      S. Robert Powell 3.      Mary R. Monahan 4.      Jack and Connie Buberniak 5.      Mr. and Mrs. John A. Brennan, In Memory of John A. Loftus #1 6.      L. Fred Thomas (New York)7.      Martin L. Langan (Greenfield Township)8.      Jermyn Historical Society (Jermyn)9.      Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Di Marino (New York), In Memory of Angelo Pinzone10.  Toulla and Joseph Vitale 11.  Linda Starzer, in memory of Edward "Sam" Coxe 12.  Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cassaro, in memory of Patrick A. Cassaro III 13.  Thomas and Ellen Farrell 14.  Joseph E. Kuna, Philadelphia, PA, in memory of Mary Faith McDonough 15.  Kimberly L. McCarthy, Frazer, PA, in memory of Luther S. Belles 16.  Marion B. Richards, in memory of Luther S. Belles 17.  Paul I. Jacks, San Diego, CA, in memory of Evelyn Jacks Cardonick 18.  Dr. Rodney D. Brown, Waymart, PA 19.  John A. Gummo, Beech Creek, PA 20.  John V. Buberniak, Fresno, CA 21.  Genevieve G. Burke and Rose Marie Coleman, in memory of Thomas L. Burke 22.  Ron Gilroy 23.  Mary T. Pollitts 24.  Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Postlethwaite 25.  Jane M. Varcoe 26.  Milana J. Williams 27.  Thomas J. Connor, in memory of Gerard W. Connor28.  Robert W. Avery, (Rochester, NY), in memory of Raymond Avery 29.  Elizabeth M. Dowd 30.  Mary Shaw 31.  Jack Race 32.  Mike and Gwen Delfino 33.  The Dougher, Spellman, and Davies families 34.  Neil M. Davis, D.O., in memory of Thomas Davis 35.  Charles Carroll, (Endwell, NY), in memory of Gerard B. Carroll and Harry Nelson 36.  Julianne M. Pazin 37.  The Carbondale Business Association 38.  Robert H. Berry, (Brockport, NY), in memory of Raymond and Elinor Berry, (Jerymn PA) 39.  Leo B. Burke, (Vestal, NY) 40.  The Price Insurance Agency 41.  Tony Mikloiche 42.  Michael J. Yavorosky, (Hop Bottom, PA) 43.  Tom Horlacher, (Scranton, PA) 44.  Joan O. Peters, (Kingsley, PA), in memory of Frank Edwin Peters 45.  Frances Grecco, in memory of Joseph Grecco 46.  Mary Louise Dougher, (Greenlawn, NY), in memory of Genevieve Burke 47.  Michael and Debrah Dougher, (Chattanooga, TN), in memory of Genevieve Burke 48.  The family of Margaret A. and Joseph L. Moran, in memory of Dorothy Moran 49.  Mary E. Conomos 50.  Rose Marie Coleman, in memory of Genevieve Burke 51.  Colleen Baltrusaitis, (Throop, PA), in memory of Genevieve Burke 52.  Charles and Ann Marie Carroll, in memory of Genevieve Burke 53. The Free family, in memory of Genevieve Burke 54. Anthony Marino in memory of Angelina Pinzone 55. Jerry and Sophia Fives 56. Dunmore Historical Society 57. Teresa Bomba in memory of Nicholas J. Bomba 58. Teresa Bomba in memory of Nancy Bomba-Angeloni 59. Nancy and John Hollenback in memory of Raymond Rice-Hollenback 60. The Moran Children in memory of Margaret A. & Joseph L. Moran 61. Robert Schroeder 62. Mr. &. Mrs. Charles Grim in memory of Elizabeth H. Rose 63. Ms. Ruth Edwards in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 64. Small Town Red Hatters in memory of Jean Burke 65. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Jankauskas in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 66. Mr. Eddie Jankauskas Jr. in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 67. Mr. Chris Jankauskas in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose. 68. Jeff and Judy Belch in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 69. David W. Owens in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 70. David R. Wright in memory of Bessie Patten-Powderly 71. Mr. Edward G. Hughes in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 72. Mr. & Mrs. John Schott in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 73. Rose Marie Coleman in memory of Jenny Redmond 74. Rose Marie Coleman in memory of Anthony Cerminaro 75. David K. Edwards in memory of Ellsworth H. Rose 76. Susan L. Victor in memory of Ellsworth H Rose 77. Joan Cosgrove 78. Walkercise Class at the Y in memory of Jean Burke 79. Donald McCarthy 80. Gerald C. Palko 81. Friends of Justin Taylor 82. William A. Collier 83. Simpson VFW 84. Charles & Marie Carroll in memory of Alan Wills 85. Friends of Welsh Music, Jerry Williams and Ted Frutchey 86. Robert Bifano, Archbald, PA: “In Memory of His Father, Sam Bifano, and His Grandfather, Giuseppe Bifano, both D&H Engineers”87. David A. Freedman, Rehovot, Israel “In Honor of My Friends Growing Up in Carbondale”88. Carmine Artone, Front Royal, VA89. Alice and Joe Scotchlas, Simpson, PA90. John F. Fagan, Carbondale, PA: In Memory of his Grandfather, P. Edward Fagan, who was born in Ormskirk, England, and who worked for the D&H, 1915-1946, as a trainman-brakeman”91. Joe Callahan and Margaret Callahan Russell in memory of Margaret (Peg) Callahan92. Lynda Raitala, Whitesburg, TN. “In Memory of William John Finney and Gerald Graham Finney, My Grandfather and Uncle, Who Worked for the D&H in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s”93. Patricia Morell, 187 Washington Street, Carbondale. “In Memory of Leonard R. Perri”94. Matthew Levine, 10 Hendrick Lane, Carbondale, PA95. Martin L. Langan: “In Memory of James F. Moran”

Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964
One of the primary missions of the Carbondale Historical Society is to preserve important artifacts from Carbondale’s historic past. One such artifact is D&H Caboose No. 35964, which the Society acquired in December 2010, and which was put on display next to Carbondale City Hall in August 2021.
When the Historical Society purchased the Caboose in 2010, a “Friends” group was established. That “Friends” group is still in existence (with 85 members at present), and we continue to welcome all persons who are interested in this Caboose and its future to become members of the “Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964”.
To become a member, and to help create a bright future for this important D&H railcar, complete the membership form given below, and mail your tax-deductible contribution (perhaps in honor of a living person or in memory of a deceased person who worked for the D&H or in the anthracite coal mining industry*) to:
Carbondale Historical Society, Post Office Box 151, Carbondale, PA 18407
Your name
Your address
Phone and E-Mail
* All donors will be listed in the official historical logbook of the history of Caboose No. 35964. Those who donate $100 or more will be presented with a certificate recognizing their contribution on behalf of Caboose No. 35964.
Members of the Friends of D&H Caboose No. 35964, as of July 21, 2022:
1. Richard T. Buberniak
2. S. Robert Powell
3. Mary R. Monahan
4. Jack & Connie Buberniak
5. Mr. & Mrs. John A. Brennan,
In Memory of John A. Loftus #1
6. L. Fred Thomas (New York)
7. Martin L. Langan (Greenfield Township)
8. Jermyn Historical Society (Jermyn)
9. Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Di Marino (New York),
In Memory of Angelo Pinzone
10. Toulla & Joseph Vitale
11. Linda Starzer,
In memory of Edward "Sam" Coxe
12. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Cassaro,
In memory of Patrick A. Cassaro III
13. Thomas & Ellen Farrell
14. Joseph E. Kuna, Philadelphia, PA,
In memory of Mary Faith McDonough
15. Kimberly L. McCarthy, Frazer, PA,
In memory of Luther S. Belles
16. Marion B. Richards,
In memory of Luther S. Belles
17. Paul I. Jacks, San Diego, CA,
In memory of Evelyn Jacks Cardonick
18. Dr. Rodney D. Brown, Waymart, PA
19. John A. Gummo, Beech Creek, PA
20. John V. Buberniak, Fresno, CA
21. Genevieve G. Burke & Rose Marie Coleman,
In memory of Thomas L. Burke
22. Ron Gilroy
23. Mary T. Pollitts
24. Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Postlethwaite
25. Jane M. Varcoe
26. Milana J. Williams
27. Thomas J. Connor,
In memory of Gerard W. Connor
28. Robert W. Avery, (Rochester, NY),
In memory of Raymond Avery
29. Elizabeth M. Dowd
30. Mary Shaw
31. Jack Race
32. Mike & Gwen Delfino
33. The Dougher, Spellman,& Davies families
34. Neil M. Davis, D.O.,
In memory of Thomas Davis
35. Charles Carroll, (Endwell, NY),
In memory of Gerard B. Carroll & Harry Nelson
36. Julianne M. Pazin
37. The Carbondale Business Association
38. Robert H. Berry, (Brockport, NY),
In memory of Raymond & Elinor Berry,
(Jerymn PA)
39. Leo B. Burke, (Vestal, NY)
40. The Price Insurance Agency
41. Tony Mikloiche
42. Michael J. Yavorosky, (Hop Bottom, PA)
43. Tom Horlacher, (Scranton, PA)
44. Joan O. Peters, (Kingsley, PA),
In memory of Frank Edwin Peters
45. Frances Grecco,
In memory of Joseph Grecco
46. Mary Louise Dougher, (Greenlawn, NY),
In memory of Genevieve Burke
47. Michael & Debrah Dougher, (Chattanooga, TN),
In memory of Genevieve Burke
48. The family of Margaret A. & Joseph L. Moran,
In memory of Dorothy Moran
49. Mary E. Conomos
50. Rose Marie Coleman,
In memory of Genevieve Burke
51. Colleen Baltrusaitis, (Throop, PA),
In memory of Genevieve Burke
52. Charles & Ann Marie Carroll,
In memory of Genevieve Burke
53. The Free family,
In memory of Genevieve Burke
54. Anthony Marino,
In memory of Angelina Pinzone
55. Jerry & Sophia Fives
56. Dunmore Historical Society
57. Teresa Bomba
In memory of Nicholas J. Bomba
58. Teresa Bomba
In memory of Nancy Bomba-Angeloni
59. Nancy & John Hollenback
In memory of Raymond Rice-Hollenback
60. The Moran Children
In memory of Margaret A. & Joseph L. Moran
61. Robert Schroeder
62. Mr. &. Mrs. Charles Grim
In memory of Elizabeth H. Rose
63. Ms. Ruth Edwards
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
64. Small Town Red Hatters
In memory of Jean Burke
65. Mr. & Mrs. Edward Jankauskas
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
66. Mr. Eddie Jankauskas Jr.
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
67. Mr. Chris Jankauskas
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose.
68. Jeff and Judy Belch
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
69. David W. Owens
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
70. David R. Wright
In memory of Bessie Patten-Powderly
71. Mr. Edward G. Hughes
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
72. Mr. & Mrs. John Schott
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
73. Rose Marie Coleman
In memory of Jenny Redmond
74. Rose Marie Coleman
In memory of Anthony Cerminaro
75. David K. Edwards
In memory of Ellsworth H. Rose
76. Susan L. Victor
In memory of Ellsworth H Rose
77. Joan Cosgrove
78. Walkercise Class at the Y
In memory of Jean Burke
79. Donald McCarthy
80. Gerald C. Palko
81. Friends of Justin Taylor
82. William A. Collier
83. Simpson VFW
84. Charles & Marie Carroll
In memory of Alan Wills
85. Friends of Welsh Music,
Jerry Williams & Ted Frutchey
86. Robert Bifano, Archbald, PA:
“In Memory of His Father, Sam Bifano,
and His Grandfather, Giuseppe Bifano,
both D&H Engineers”
87. David A. Freedman, Rehovot, Israel
“In Honor of My Friends
Growing Up in Carbondale”
88. Carmine Artone, Front Royal, VA
89. Alice & Joe Scotchlas, Simpson, PA
90. John F. Fagan, Carbondale, PA:
In Memory of his Grandfather, P. Edward Fagan,
who was born in Ormskirk, England,
and who worked for the D&H,1915-1946,
as a trainman-brakeman”
91. Joe Callahan & Margaret Callahan Russell
In memory of Margaret (Peg) Callahan
92. Lynda Raitala, Whitesburg, TN.
“In Memory of William John Finney
& Gerald Graham Finney,
My Grandfather and Uncle,
Who Worked for the D&H
in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s”
93. Patricia Morell, 187 Washington Street, Carbondale.
“In Memory of Leonard R. Perri”
94. Matthew Levine,
10 Hendrick Lane, Carbondale, PA
95. Martin L. Langan:
“In Memory of James F. Moran”
96. Joe Callahan & Margaret Callahan Russell
“In Memory of Joseph Leo Callahan,
who was killed in the D&H Yard
on March 18, 1920”
97. Shirley A. Trayford, Goshen, IN
98. Mike & Treena Bischak, Simpson, PA
99. Vincent J. O’Bell, Olyphant, PA
100. Carol (Emmett) Peknik, Watertown, NY
“In Memory of Arthur R. Emmett,
who worked for the D&H for 50 years”
101. Richard E. Thomas, Sandy Lake, PA
“In Memory of Ellsworth H. Rose,
D&H Engineer;
Edgar Rose,
foreman,Hudson Coal Co.; and
John E. Thomas,
D&H fireman/engineer, 1909-1939”

Carbondale Historical Society and Museum, Inc.
Location: One North Main Street, Third Floor, Carbondale, PA 18407
Mailing Address: Post Office Box 151, Carbondale, PA 18407
E-Mail Address: carbondalehistorical@gmail.com
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, noon to 5 P.M.; Saturday by appointment
Phone: 570-282-0385
Kathy Land, Waymart, PA
Donna Dombroski, Carbondale
Fred Moase family, Carbondale
Marie P. Greto, Carbondale
Ann Marie Pettinato, Carbondale
Marjanie Hellman, Waymart, PA
Martin Langan, Greenfield Township, PA
Donald Law, Show Low, AZ
S. Robert Powell, Carbondale
Alice and Joe Scotchlas, Simpson
Mark Evans, Carbondale
Sean Farber, Carbondale
Anne Malesky Rose, Melbourne, FL
Peter Pettinato, Carbondale
Mary Cay and Jim Tomaine, Endicott, NY
David Freedman, Israel
Gloria A. Wilson, Waymart, PA
Susan Valentine, Alexandria, VA
Marty Mulholland, Hertford, North Carolina
John Fagan, Carbondale
Trudy Gerlach, Wyalusing, PA
Charles Carroll, Endwell, NY
John Bifano, Cape Coral, FL
Michele Bannon, Carbondale
David Dottle, Davenport, FL
Ronald F. Krastek, Greenfield Township, PA
Lynda Raitala, Whitesburg, TN
Carl E. Reichart and Jason Smith, Honesdale, PA
Joe Callahan, Dickinson, ND
Mary Shaw, Carbondale
Jennifer Suwak, Toms River, NJ
Patti Rodis, San Diego, CA
Kimberly and Donald McCarthy, Carbondale
Nancy Moran, Port Orange, FL
Jeff Davis, Naches, WA
Mark Evans, Carbondale, PA
Harry Curnow IV, Peckville, PA
Linda Rupp, Carbondale, PA
Ronald F. Krastek, Greenfield Township, PA
Matthew Levine and family, Carbondale
Ann Marie Pettinato, Carbondale
Fred Moase and family, Carbondale
Joseph Scotchlas, Simpson, PA
Michele Bannon, Carbondale
Jeffrey W. Nepa, Esquire, and family, Carbondale
Martin Langan, Greenfield Township, PA
Carl Reichart & Jason Smith, Honesdale, PA
Pam Fendrock, Kingston, PA
Dave Dottle, Davenport, FL
Joe Callahan, Dickson, ND
Jamie Lee Maher, Simpson, PA
Cheryl Kaiser, Scott Township, PA
Charles F. Carroll, Endwell, NY
Mary Ellen Shaw, Carbondale
Peter Pettinato, Greenfield Township, PA
Donald and Kimberly McCarthy, Carbondale
Kathy Land, Waymart, PA
Jeffery Magistro, Carbondale
Marty Mulhollnd, Cape Cora, FL
Jennifer Suwak, Toms River, NJ
John Bifano, Cape Coral, FL
David W. Maxey, Gladwyne, PA (life member)
Carol J. Peknik, Watertown, NY (life member)
Donald W. Powell II, Clifford Township, PA (life member)
Margaret E. Russell, Apopka, FL (life member)
Shirley A. Trayford, Goshen, IN (life member)
AJ’s Bar and Grill / Dan Totsky, Carbondale (life member)
Attorney Harry T. Coleman, Carbondale (life member)
Attorney John Coleman, Pasadena, CA (life member)
Anthony DiMarino, Massapequa Park, NY (life member)
Vincent O’Bell, Olyphant, PA (life member)
Jane M. Varcoe, Waymart, PA (life member)
Joseph A. Talerico, Levittown, PA (life member)
Robert Bifano, Archbald, PA (life member)
Bernard W. Kalt, Port Matilda, PA (life member)
George Essif family, Lancaster, PA (life member)
Mary and Bob Tomaine and family, Carbondale (life members)
Alan and Diane Kurlansky, Carbondale (life members
Gary E. Lippi, Carbondale (life member)
Sharon Marie Miller, Flemington, NJ (life member)
Cody Gonsauls, Childs, PA (life member)
Robert A. Ryczak, Opelika, AL (life member)
Barbara Sprovkin and family, Poyntelle, PA (life members)
Cindy Klenk and Behnam Bakhshandeh , Crystal Lake, PA (life members)
Eugene Brown, Jr., Hawley, PA (life member)
Matthew T. Buberniak, Carbondale (life member)
Jason Thomas, Lansdale, PA (life member)
John LaDue, Carbondale (life member)
David Freedman, Israel (life member)
Eugene E. Vadella, Carbondale (life member)
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