SCRANTON — The city plans to honor the late John M. Hart Jr,, who was a leading proponent of Steamtown National Historic Site, by dedicating Cliff Street at the park in his memory.
Council on June 10 unanimously introduced a resolution to ceremoniously dedicate Cliff Street adjacent to the Steamtown site as “John M. Hart Jr. Way,” according to an Electric City Television simulcast and video of the council meeting posted on YouTube.
John M. Hart Jr.
The resolution, which will come back before council for a vote on adoption at its next regular weekly meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, also would proclaim June 17, 2025, as “John M. Hart Jr. Day” in the city.
Councilman Bill King, who was a friend of Hart, initiated the legislation for the street dedication.
“Anyone that knew John Hart, he was a character. He was incredibly knowledgeable about a lot of different things,” King said. “He is probably the main reason that Steamtown national historic park exists in the city. He was a great guy and a great friend and I’m proud to be able to do this, for his family and for John.”
Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild also said of the street dedication: “It’s a great way to honor Mr. Hart and the perfect spot to do it, too, on that street over there, (at) Steamtown national historic park, which he was really dedicated to and passionate about, as well as Scranton as a city and bringing people to our city.”
According to the resolution:
• Born and raised in the city of Carbondale, Hart was a longtime resident of Scranton. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1971 and earned degrees in history and English from the University of Scranton.
• In early 1983, Hart became involved in a community effort to establish the world’s largest steam railroading museum in Scranton — Steamtown.
• After successfully leading a $2 million public fundraising campaign, Hart joined the museum’s board of trustees and later rose to the positions of executive director and chief operating officer.
• In 1986, Hart initiated contact with elected officials in Washington and Harrisburg to develop the museum into a national park. In late 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed the Steamtown National Historic Park Act into law, allocating $88 million to establish Steamtown as the nation’s newest historic site. The National Park Service honored Hart as the linchpin in the establishment of the historic site.
• The Lackawanna County commissioners also appointed Hart to a task force aimed at preserving freight railroad service in the county. He served as the inaugural chairman of the Lackawanna County Railroad Authority, which oversees freight service in Lackawanna, Wayne and Monroe counties.
John Hart, 62, of Dunmore, portrays Civil War Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott on April 9, 2016, during the 12th annual Grand Civil War Ball held at The Century Club in downtown Scranton. (FILE PHOTO / TIMES-TRIBUNE)
John Hart of Scranton plays taps at a Memorial Day service at the Dunmore Cemetery in 2001. (FILE PHOTO / TIMES-TRIBUNE)
Scranton City Council intends to ceremoniously dedicate Cliff Street in Scranton, which is the entrance road to Steamtown National Historical Site, as “John M. Hart Jr. Way,” in honor of the late Hart, who was a leading proponent of the establishment of Steamtown. Photo taken Friday, June 13, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton City Council intends to ceremoniously dedicate Cliff Street in Scranton, at right, which is the entrance road to Steamtown National Historical Site, as “John M. Hart Jr. Way,” in honor of the late Hart, who was a leading proponent of the establishment of Steamtown. Photo taken Friday, June 13, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton City Council intends to ceremoniously dedicate Cliff Street in Scranton, at right, which is the entrance road to Steamtown National Historical Site, as “John M. Hart Jr. Way,” in honor of the late Hart, who was a leading proponent of the establishment of Steamtown. Photo taken Friday, June 13, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Scranton City Council intends to ceremoniously dedicate Cliff Street in Scranton, at right, which is the entrance road to Steamtown National Historical Site, as “John M. Hart Jr. Way,” in honor of the late Hart, who was a leading proponent of the establishment of Steamtown. Photo taken Friday, June 13, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)