Shamokin saw one of the first appearances of Thomas Edison's carbon filament lamp. Investors in the town provided funding for a power station in Shamokin, the building of which was supervised by Edison in 1882. In 1883, the town was the site of the second three-wire electric light station in the world. Edison's plant is now the site of Jones Hardware (joneshardware.com), a hardware and appliance store. The Mother Cabrini Catholic Church (mothercabrini.net), formerly known as St. Edward's before it was destroyed in a fire. The church, the first in the world to be electrified, features a coal altar.
Located in downtown Shamokin is Claude Kehler Community Park (shamokincity.org). Beginning in the summer of 2011, the park underwent renovations that included the constructions of a bandstand for concerts, as well as a new pavilion, restrooms and shelter for food vendors. The Lawton W. Shroyer Memorial Swimming Pool is open daily, weather permitting, and includes a children's pool and water slides. Approximately a 40-minute drive west of Shamokin is the Shikellamy State Park (dcnr.state.pa.us). The park features a marina and hiking and biking trails with scenic views of the Susquehanna River. In addition to boating, visitors can also fish for bass, walleye and other game fish.
The Anthracite Heritage Festival of the Arts (anthraciteheritage.com) is held annually in May along Market Street. The festival features entertainment and fireworks, as well as cemetery tours, art displays and children's activities. Visitors can view historic memorabilia, sample food at vendors located throughout the site, take a carriage or trolley ride, or view artists and craftspeople work. The city also hosts fireworks displays during Fourth of July celebrations, as well as during the annual "coal drop" on New Year's Eve in the city's downtown area. As the community ushers in a new year, a polystyrene foam piece of coal is lowered, followed by fireworks.
Whaleback, at the former Bear Valley strip mine, is a whale-shaped rock formation discovered during strip-mining operations in 1948. The 300-ton anticline is believed to be more than 200 million years old. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, it is one of the best exposures of folded rock structures in the country. Approximately a 20-minute drive northeast of Shamokin visitors can go to Knoebels Amusement Resort (knoebels.com), the largest free admission amusement park in America. Each of the park's approximately 30 rides cost between $.75 and $4 per ride at the time of publication. In addition to roller coasters, amusement rides and a water park, the site includes a bald eagle habitat, laser tag, a miniature golf course and museums.
