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B+History
History · Taylor

Taylor dates to 1790, and 31% of its homes were built before 1940

More historic than 70% of U.S. towns · #464 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. What drives it

Below: 5 old photos and papers, maps from 1889 on, and the census since 1900.

1790founded
0on the National Register
31%homes built before 1940
5old photos & papers
5famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Taylor’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Taylor began

When was Taylor founded?

1790

Taylor dates its founding to 1790 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree). The census first counted it in 1900.

First census: 4,215 in 19002020 census: 6,294236 years

How historic is Taylor?

B+

More historic than 70% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year. First post office: 1892.
History grade

What drives Taylor’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Taylor is more historic than 70% of U.S. towns, #464 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. Its share of homes from before 1940 holds the grade up; its National Register listings pull it down.

B+
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Taylor’s overall grade.
Founding era1790, from Wikidata: founded 1776–1849, an older era than 75% of U.S. townsA−Homes built before 194030.8% of homes (±8.3) · typical PA town 17.7% · U.S. 8.4%ANational RegisterNo listings counted · typical PA town 2.1 per 10,000 · U.S. 2.4C−
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 70%
NewerOlder
Pennsylvania towns of 2,500+ (1,035)Ahead of 55%

Pennsylvania towns list about as much on the Register as the country (a typical Pennsylvania town has 2.1 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Taylor’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (25% of Pennsylvania towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.

How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would range from B− to A. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±8.3 points). Two sources give 1790.

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Taylor’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

On the map since 18897 editions of the USGS map, 1889 to 1994. Watch Taylor change.Boom and bustPeaked at 10,428 in 1930; 6,294 people lived here in 2020.Deep rootsEstablished in 1790: 236 years of Taylor.Old housesHalf of Taylor’s homes were built before 1960.
★ What stands out · On the map

Taylor on the map, 1889 to 1994

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Taylor. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Taylor on the 1889 USGS mapTaylor on the 1891 USGS mapTaylor on the 1947 USGS mapTaylor on the 1950 USGS mapTaylor on the 1969 USGS mapTaylor on the 1976 USGS mapTaylor on the 1994 USGS map1889Scranton sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Taylor.

People over time

Taylor, census by census

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,0001900192019401960198020002020Peak: 10,428

Peaked at 10,428 in 1930; 6,294 people lived here in 2020.

13 censuses, 1900–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Taylor’s Wikipedia page.

Timeline

Taylor, 1790 to 1956

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 18th century
  2. 1790
    FoundingTaylor is established
  3. 19th century
  4. 1889On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  5. 1892Post officeThe Taylor post office opens
  6. 1893Born herePercy W. Griffiths is born here
  7. 20th century
  8. 1911Born hereHannah Williams is born here
  9. 1916In the archiveA1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]
  10. 1917Post officeThe Taylor post office closes
  11. 1930CensusPopulation peaks at 10,428
  12. 1945Born hereFrank Serafini is born here
  13. 1956Born hereSid Michaels Kavulich is born here
The story so far

Taylor, in brief

Wikipedia doesn’t have a history of Taylor yet. The photos, dates and memories neighbors add here are how it gets written.

Taylor is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States, 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Scranton on the Lackawanna River. It was founded in 1790 by Cornelius Atherton. Silk manufacturing and coal mining were once practiced in the borough. Most of Taylor is built over abandoned mines. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (I-476), accessible via the Keyser Avenue Interchange, passes through Taylor, going north to Clarks Summit and south to Philadelphia. The population of Taylor at the 2020 census was 6,302.

Taylor was established in 1790. Its population held steady between the last two censuses: 6,263 in 2010, 6,294 in 2020.

Intro from Wikipedia. Population: U.S. Census Bureau.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Taylor, 1912–1928

Passages that mention Taylor, cut from the printed page as they were published.

was sent to Fort Slocum. He was later transferred to San Antonio, Texas, and assigned to the 643rd Aerial squadron. He served in France during the remainder of the war and was discharged in March, 1920, from Mitchell Field, Long Island. Upon his return to Taylor, Mr. Thomas was identified with his …
Jubilee history commemorative of the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania ..1928 · page 1035Read the page →
Read the text

was sent to Fort Slocum. He was later transferred to San Antonio, Texas, and assigned to the 643rd Aerial squadron. He served in France during the remainder of the war and was discharged in March, 1920, from Mitchell Field, Long Island. Upon his return to Taylor, Mr. Thomas was identified with his brother’s business interests until 1921, at which time he was appointed assistant cashier of the Taylor Discount and Deposit Bank.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Ulrich Horger was born in Switzerland in 1858, a son of Ulrich and Magdalena (Fahner) Horger. Ulrich Horger, I, came to the United States with his family in 1864 from Switzerland. He was a carpenter by trade and became a well known building contractor of Taylor, Pa. He is deceased and is buried in …
Jubilee history commemorative of the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania ..1928 · page 778Read the page →
Read the text

Ulrich Horger was born in Switzerland in 1858, a son of Ulrich and Magdalena (Fahner) Horger. Ulrich Horger, I, came to the United States with his family in 1864 from Switzerland. He was a carpenter by trade and became a well known building contractor of Taylor, Pa. He is deceased and is buried in Forest Home Cemetery, Taylor. On Dec. 22, 1874, St. Paul’s Evangelical Church was founded at Taylor, and Ulrich Horger was elected first president of the Board of Trustees. He resigned from this office in 1876. To Ulrich and Magdalena: (Fahner) Horger

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
351 Harriet Taylor, born Dec. 4, 1869 352 Anna Taylor 353 Jessie Maud Taylor, born Sept. 29, 1877 354 Georgette Taylor, born 1879 355 Kenneth Ray Taylor, born July 22, 1885 DANIEL WEBSTER3 TAYLOR (Samuel,2 William1) en¬ listed in 1861 in battery B, First Pennsylvania Light artillery, and was muster…
History of the Taylor family, the decendants of William and Ann (Wilson) Taylor of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania1925Read the page →
Read the text

351 Harriet Taylor, born Dec. 4, 1869 352 Anna Taylor 353 Jessie Maud Taylor, born Sept. 29, 1877 354 Georgette Taylor, born 1879 355 Kenneth Ray Taylor, born July 22, 1885 DANIEL WEBSTER3 TAYLOR (Samuel,2 William1) en¬ listed in 1861 in battery B, First Pennsylvania Light artillery, and was mustered in the early part of June, 1861, for three

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
Shook School Adam Taylor was the first settler in this district, on the farm now owned by Ira Drake. This was about 1825. He made a clearing and built his log-house near the spring, above the house where Philip Winters is living. Christopher Taylor, (his brother), Silas Sutton, William Brink, David…
History and directory of Newton and Ransom townships, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania1912 · page 97Read the page →
Read the text

Shook School Adam Taylor was the first settler in this district, on the farm now owned by Ira Drake. This was about 1825. He made a clearing and built his log-house near the spring, above the house where Philip Winters is living. Christopher Taylor, (his brother), Silas Sutton, William Brink, David Shook and others came later.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

By decade

Taylor, decade by decade

One decade in the archive so far: the 1910s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1910s5 items
A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]1916A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]1916A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]1916A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]1916A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]1916A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]
1920s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
Today6 recent
St. George's Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Taylor, PA, Feb. 20262026St. George's Orthodox Greek Catholic Church, Taylor, …Taylor PA Municipal Building2015Taylor PA Municipal BuildingTaylor PA Fire Station2015Taylor PA Fire StationTaylor Memorial Cemetery Fence2014Taylor Memorial Cemetery FenceImmaculate Conception Church2013Immaculate Conception ChurchView of St.Ann's Basilica2012View of St.Ann's Basilica
Every building

Taylor, building by building, 1921

Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a sheet.

Taylor fire insurance map, 1921, sheet 11921Sheet 1 of 14
BrickWoodStone

Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

A1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31]
Retake this viewA1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [1916.08.31], 1916

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Taylor’s page.

Retake this view · +15
Famous people

5 famous people were born in Taylor

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
Hannah WilliamsAmerican actress · b. 1911
Percy W. GriffithsPolitician, athlete and coach · b. 1893
S
Sid Michaels KavulichAmerican politician · b. 1956
F
Frank SerafiniAmerican politician · b. 1945
R
Robert MorrisAmerican basketball coach · b. 1902
Places that used to be

Lost post offices, places now gone and burying grounds

Taylor had its own post office from 1892 to 1917.

Taylor
1892–1917
18901960today
Gone or out of use
Archbald ShaftmineContinental ShaftmineHampton ShaftmineHolden ShaftminePyne ShaftmineSloan ShaftmineTaylor Shaftmine
6cemeteries and burying grounds inside Taylor
Forest HomeSaint John the Baptist Catholic ChurchSaint Mary's Byzantine CatholicSaint Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox ChurchSaints Peter and PaulTaylor

US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

Help out

Finish Taylor’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
1 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Retake an old viewA1235-A1239--Taylor, PA--Pyne Mine [191…: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

Scranton35 historic placesAMoosicIts storyC+Old ForgeIts storyB−

Questions about Taylor’s history

What year was Taylor founded?

In 1790, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town. Taylor’s post office opened in 1892, and the census of 1900 counted 4,215 people here.

How does Taylor rank for history?

Taylor is more historic than 70% of U.S. towns, #464 of 1,035 in Pennsylvania. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

How old are the homes in Taylor?

31% of Taylor’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±8.3 points), against a typical 18% for a Pennsylvania town; the median home was built in 1960.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (11), Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.