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 Living in Wayne County means living in charming towns or wooded countryside, with a low crime rate, quality healthcare, safe schools, and an abundance of cultural, educational and recreational resources. Our lifestyle is quite different than our urban neighbors’ – New York City and Philadelphia – yet their proximity lends creative and diverse influences and provides opportunities not always enjoyed by rural communities. Hospitality is our number one industry, fed by the natural beauty of the Pocono Mountains region, and Lake Wallenpaupack, a 5,700-acre lake with 52 miles of shoreline. Others visit – we live here year round, surrounded by incredible nature, and using it to really play where we work.
Honesdale, the County seat, lays claim to the birthplace of the American Railroad. In 1829, the Stourbridge Lion became the first commercial locomotive to operate in the United States. A replica of the Stourbridge Lion is on display in the Wayne County Historical Society; rail excursions offered by the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce draw nearly 90,000 visitors each year. Appreciating our heritage, enjoying small town family-oriented events, hiking, skiing, boating, and otherwise playing in the great outdoors, attending concerts and big league sporting events in nearby urban centers, are all ways we enjoy living in Wayne County.Arts and Culture
It’s no secret that our gentle living in proximity to some of the greatest urban centers in the world makes Wayne County the perfect location for artists and artisans. The Wayne County Arts Alliance both reveals and revels in our local talent, and opens the door of the artistic process to the community with an annual tour of studios. Nature and music are in perfect harmony at the Dorflinger-Suydam Sanctuary: the Wildflower Music Festival provides concert-goers a serene setting amidst fields and forests. Past performers include Tom Chapin, Ethel Ennis, Marian McPartland and The Charlie Byrd Trio. Central Park in Honesdale plays host to a summer arts festival, and our old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration, complete with fireworks from Irving Cliff, is small town living at its best. If you are looking for a faster pace, an hours drive or less brings us to many big time venues – Lackawanna County Stadium, Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, and Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain each boast top-rated entertainment, running the gamut from rock concerts to monster truck shows. And a touch of class is added by the Scranton Cultural Center and F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
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Climate
Our four-season climate brings ever-changing vistas and allows for year-round enjoyment of our natural beauty. Click here for more details.
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Crime Rate
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Education
Our public school districts know that quality education is our number one priority. Each is staffed by dedicated professionals committed to building the best foundation for our children. Three school districts – Wallenpaupack Area, Wayne Highlands, and Western Wayne - serve the majority of our K-12 students, three others serve the outlying areas. The County also has several parochial schools. Career development and postsecondary academic programs are provided by Lackawanna College, Luzerne County Community College and Northampton Community College. Click here to learn more.
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Healthcare
Wayne Memorial Hospital, part of Wayne Memorial Health System, is a 98-bed licensed, accredited, non-profit, community hospital in Honesdale, Wayne County. The hospital is growing with the communities it serves—Wayne and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania, and in Sullivan and Delaware Counties in New York State. Major expansion of the hospital’s Emergency Room and Radiology Departments are planned for 2005.
Services to patients include:
- 70 doctors on active staff, representing 31 specialties—including allergies & asthma, cardiovascular & internal medicine, general & thoracic surgery, radiology, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and orthopedic
- Radiology/Imaging Department offers MRI & MRA procedures, along with mammography, x-rays, ultrasound & CT scans
- Outpatient laboratory services (such as bloodwork) are available at the hospital and at satellite facilities in Hamlin, Lakewood, Lords Valley and Milford
- Two-long term care facilities in Waymart and Beach Lake
- Home Health Services
- Outpatient rehabilitation clinics in Honesdale and Milford
- A dental clinic for Wayne and Pike County residents up to age 21.
For more information, contact Wayne Memorial Hospital.
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Museums and Historic Sites
The Wayne County Historical Society is a dynamic organization intent on preserving our local heritage. Expanded facilities include gallery space for exhibits such as the one featuring Wayne County’s own Jennie Brownscombe, an extensive collection of Dorflinger glass, and a gift shop. The Equinunk Historical Society tends to the history of the northern portion of the County. Here you will find the Joel Hill Water-powered Sawmill, the only working water sawmill in northeastern Pennsylvania. Annual tours are provided. A must see experience is provided by the Dorflinger Glass Museum, which houses masterpieces produced by famed glassmaker Christian Dorflinger.
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Parks and Outdoor Recreation
With our many lakes and steams, and Pocono Mountain surroundings, Wayne County is paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Two of our largest water areas are the Delaware River and Lake Wallenpaupack, which we share with neighboring Pike County. Both offer the best of boating, camping, fishing and wildlife observation. Built in 1926 to supply waterpower for a hydroelectric plant, Lake Wallenpaupack is one of the County’s major natural resources. This 5,700 acre lake with 52 miles of shoreline lets us play hard, or provides the perfect backdrop for an evening’s sunset. Forgive us if we boast a little about some of the best trout fishing in the state. Clear water and a stocking program conducted by Fish and Game Commission result in excellent fishing throughout the County. Major streams include the Delaware River, Dyberry River, Lackawaxen River, and Wallenpaupack Stream. Woodlands cover nearly 60% of Wayne County. The term “fall foliage” is not taken lightly, as our large variety of trees create spectacular scenery and tourism opportunities. More than 14,000 acres of Gamelands are paradise for hunters, hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
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National Park System
Upper Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River: 75,000 acres of land area and 100 miles of free flowing water. Fishing, hiking, canoeing, birdwatching. The area is a major nesting site for the Bald Eagle.
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State Park System
Gouldsboro State Park: Lehigh Township and Monroe County. 2,800 acres of land, 250-acre lake. Five wooded picnic areas. Boating, swimming, fishing and trails.
Prompton State Park: 280-acre lake with 6.25 miles of shoreline. Public boat launch, hiking, mountain bike trails, Disc Golf.
Tobyhanna State Park: Over 530 acres in Wayne County, extending into Monroe county for total acreage of 5,400. 170-acre lake. Boating, camping, fishing, trails. back to top
Sanctuaries
Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary: 578 acres, numerous nature trails for hiking, and nature walks with a variety of trees and plants marked and identified.
Lacawac Sanctuary: 578 acres, including 52-acre Lake Lacawac. This unpolluted glacial lake is designated as National Natural Landmark. Cultural and environmental education programs.
Shuman Point Natural Area: 250 acres along Lake Wallenpaupack.
Sports
Our amateur athletes and weekend warriors find plenty of competition at our sporting facilities, ballfields, golf courses, and bowling alleys. If you crave big league excitement, an hours drive brings you to Lackawanna Stadium, home of the Red Barons – the Triple A franchise of the Philadelphia Phillies, Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza where the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins are the AHL hometown favorites, or Pocono Raceway, site of NASCAR’s famed Pocono 500.
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Tourism
Greater Honesdale Partnership
Hawley-Lake Wallenpaupack Chamber of Commerce
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Southern Wayne Chamber of Commerce
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
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Interesting Links
Dorflinger Glass Museum
Equinunk Historical Society
Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain
F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Lackawanna County Stadium - Red Barons
Pocono Raceway
Scranton Cultural Center
Upper Delaware River Events
Wayne County Arts Alliance
Wayne County Historical Society
Wildflower Music Festival
Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins
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