Moosic, Pennsylvania

Moosic is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, six miles (9 km) south of Scranton and 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Wilkes-Barre on the Lackawanna River.

Moosic is in a former coal-mining region. A few older industries existed at one time, including the manufacturing of canvas gloves and silk products. The population was 5,719 at the 2010 census.

History

The name Moosic probably derives from the Unami language of the Lenape people, meaning "elk place." The Lenape, a Native American people, are the earliest-known inhabitants of Moosic. The borough was incorporated on December 9, 1898. Before incorporation, the villages of Moosic and Greenwood had been a part of Lackawanna Township. From 1886 to 1987, Moosic was the site of Rocky Glen Park, an amusement park. The former grounds are now a Pennsylvania state historical marker.

Geography

Moosic is located on the East Coast of the United States in the Wyoming Valley of Northeastern Pennsylvania. In terms of physiography, Moosic is part of the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains. Moosic is located at an elevation of 817 feet (249 m) above sea level. The major body of water flowing through the borough is the Lackawanna River, part of the Upper Susquehanna-Lackawanna Watershed. Moosic has a total area of 6.6 square miles (17 km²), of which 6.5 square miles (17 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (1.52%) is water. Moosic has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) with four distinct seasons. Summers are humid and warm, with an occasional heatwave. Winters are cold and snowy.