East Stroudsburg and Dinner

We started our day at the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm.  Then we checked out a couple of antique malls in Stroudsburg and a little later we drove north into the Poconos.  Along our route, we checked out a pretzel factory, a local museum in an old railroad depot and then we visited a big candy store.

   

To end our day, we’d selected a restaurant in East Stroudsburg for dinner.   

I had to look around the downtown area of East Stroudsburg before dinner…and before it got too dark to take photos.

This handsome building at One Washington Street isn’t listed on the National Register of Historic Places despite being almost 110 years old.  The building is occupied by Weseloh, Carney and Co. LLC.  They are a Certified Public Accounting/Business Consulting firm.  It appears to be very well maintained…

The gray building at the left in this photo, (as per the Roman Numerals at the top), was built in 1905.  Apparently it was originally a bank.  It doesn’t currently appear to be in use but it is for sale.  The small newer single story structure to its left is included in the commercial real estate listing.  The whole 9,872 square feet package is being offered for $839,000.  Interested?  Contact KW Commercial/Daniel Perich Group.  The website listing is found at https://dpcomgroup.com/estate/landmark-building-near-college/he.

As for the old structure with the big bay/opera windows at the right of the photo next to the bank…it’s old but I couldn’t find any history about it.  As you can see, the building is currently called the Lackawanna Hotel and Tavern.

So why aren’t so many old buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places?  First of all, they may have been modified/updated to the degree that they don’t qualify.  Secondly, someone does have to submit them for listing. 

Finally, although there are some tax breaks available for places listed in the National Register, buildings that are listed tend to lose about 20% of their real estate value due to restrictions impacting modifying or refurbishing them.  In this case, that loss would amount to $160,000 - $170,000 off the asking price!

This attractive old depot may explain what the hotel mentioned above is called the Lackawanna Hotel… However, just to confuse you, the old railroad station is called the Dansbury depot after a restaurant that had occupied the building for many years.

This historic depot was built by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad in 1856.  It served as the local stop for both Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg.  Passenger service ended here in January of 1970.  Under threat and actually after the beginning of demolition, the local community rallied…saving and moving the depot to its current location.  From what I can tell, it’s now being used for community and special events. 

There is some hope for renewed passenger service if the New Jersey Transit Service extends its line.  Currently the depot is occasionally used by excursion trains originating from nearby Scranton Pennsylvania's Steamtown National Historic Site.  

The East Stroudsburg Railroad Signal Tower is just down the tracks from the depot.  Back in the day, as part of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, this tower controlled the switches and signals on the main tracks.  Historically, there were as many as 4 tracks controlled by the tower.  This is the last remaining DL and W wood railroad town in Pennsylvania.  The tower was built in 1908. 

Note:

·         In 1917, there were over 4,000 mechanical railroad control/signal towers across the United States.  Most were manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week…

This handsome old Gothic Victorian home now has an age appropriate function… Its home to the Loder Senior Center.  There are daily activities for seniors plus meals are provided.  Today, 10/17/18, the menu includes the following: Chicken Marsala, Hot Orzo Salad, Broccoli and Cauliflower, a whole grain dinner roll and a banana.  The Loder Senior Center is just one of five public senior centers in Monroe County Pennsylvania.  I could not determine how old this building is…

After taking my photos, it was time to eat.  Trackside Station Grill and Bar is located in the bottom level of this condo building. 

This is a big popular restaurant, spacious with high ceilings and a variety of seating options.  It was also a very busy place.  We had to wait a short time before we could be seated.  Of course, it was a Saturday night…

We certainly didn’t expect to see a sushi bar in a big American style restaurant in East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania!

Like the restaurant where we ate the previous night in downtown Stroudsburg, Trackside also had live music.  The difference was that, unlike our experience the night before, this entertainer could actually play and sing…without us wishing he’d go away.

Laurie was happy…as she could order her dinner from the extensive Sushi portion of Trackside’s menu.  Her miso soup and salad came with her entrée and she enjoyed both side offerings.

But this was what she really enjoyed!  This was her Sashimi Platter.  It included 12 assorted pieces of sashimi.  Including her soup and salad, it cost $24.00.  Nice presentation isn't it?  The fish was very fresh and Laurie was very happy!

I went for a more “healthy” entrée!  This was my “Burger Remedy”. ($11.95) The 8 oz. grilled steak burger was topped by a slice of Taylor ham, American cheese and a fried egg and it was served on a grilled brioche bun.  It was excellent!  (Doesn’t it look healthier than that sashimi platter?!) FYI, the homemade potato chips were very nice too...

We really enjoyed our meals and if this restaurant was located near us in East Tennessee, we’d be frequent patrons!  Trackside Station Grill and Bar is located at 50 Crystal Street in East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania.  They are open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.  Sushi is only available after 4 PM on weekdays.  Phone: 570-424-3200.  Their website is found at: http://tracksidestationgrill.com/.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave