Scranton Pennsylvania Lackawanna Pretzel Company Horse Drawn Delivery Wagon Real Photo Postcard

The Lackawanna Pretzel Co. in Scranton, Pennsylvania, represents a common type of local food manufacturing and distribution prevalent in American cities during the early 20th century. The prominent display of "Steam Pretzels" highlights a specific preparation method, catering to the growing demand for this popular snack, which had deep roots in Pennsylvania's German immigrant communities. The horse-drawn delivery wagon places the image firmly in an era predating widespread automotive commercial transport, likely between the 1900s and 1920s, when such businesses relied on local routes and direct sales.

This scene provides insight into the typical operations of small-scale food enterprises of the period, employing a mix of adult and younger workers, possibly apprentices, common in family-run or community-oriented businesses. The presence of the delivery cart underscores the importance of fresh, locally produced goods and the infrastructure of pre-modern urban commerce. Such companies played a vital role in local economies, providing both products and employment within industrial cities like Scranton, known for its coal mining and manufacturing heritage.