The little village of Deposit has often found itself at the crossroads of history. Deposit sits on the western - most bend of the Delaware River. For many years, Native Americans used a portage trail that ran from the site of Deposit west over Tuscarora Mountain to the Susquehanna River at Windsor. This Indian trail was the shortest distance between the two rivers. Years later, the railroad came through Deposit for much the same reason.
In 1835, construction of the Erie Railroad began on the flats one mile southeast of the village. The tracks ran west up Tuscarora Mountain to a pass at the village of Gulf Summit. Because of the steep grades, the Erie railroad used one of the largest steam locomotives ever built as a pusher. Known as the “Matt Shay” No. 5014, a monument to this locomotive sits at the top of the grade in Gulf Summit today.
Four miles southwest and just over the Pennsylvania Boarder is the Starrucca Viaduct, one of railroading’s engineering wonders. The viaduct is a stone arch structure extending 1200 ft. across the valley floor and standing 110 feet high. All of these sites are within 10 miles of the village of Deposit. They make an enjoyable and educational afternoon’s outing.
