List of city nicknames in Pennsylvania

This partial list of city nicknames in Pennsylvania compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities, boroughs, and towns in Pennsylvania are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity.^[1] Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth"^[2] are also believed to have economic value.^[1] Their economic value is difficult to measure,^[1] but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.^[2]

Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. Many of the unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.

A sign proclaiming Scranton as "The Electric City" overlooks Courthouse Square. The city got its moniker for being the site of the nation's first electric-powered streetcars.

• Allentown
  • Band City USA ^[3]
  • Peanut City^[4]
  • The Queen City^[5][6]
  • Silk City.^[7]
  • Truck Capital of the World.^[8]
• Bethlehem - Christmas City, USA^[9]
• Erie
  • The Flagship City^[10]
  • The Gem City^[10]
• Hanover - Snack Capital of the World.^[11]
• Hershey
  • Chocolate Capital of the World.^[12]
  • Chocolate Town^[13]
  • The Sweetest Place on Earth.^[11][14]
• Indiana - Christmas Tree Capital of the World ^[15][16]
• Johnstown
  • The Flood City^[17]
  • The Friendly City^[17]
• Lancaster – The Red Rose City^[18]
• New Castle - Fireworks Capital.^[8]
• Philadelphia
  • The Athens of America - "References can be found as early as 1733 when the Library Company’s directors wrote, “May your Philadelphia be the future of Athens in America."^[19]
  • The Big Scrapple^[13]
  • The City of Brotherly Love^[13][20]--a literal translation of the city's name from the original Greek language
  • The City That Loves You Back^[21]
  • City of Homes^[20]
  • Filthadelphia or Filthydelphia^[22][23]
  • Philly^[13]
  • Quaker City^[13][20]
  • The Workshop of the World^[24]
• Pittsburgh
  • Birmingham of America^[20]
  • The 'Burgh^[13]
  • The City of Bridges ^[25]
  • The City of Champions^[26][27][28]
  • Iron City^[13][20]
  • The Smoky City^[20]
  • The Steel City^[20]
• Punxsutawney - Weather Capital of the World.^[29]
• Reading
  • Baseballtown^[30]
  • Pretzel Capital of the World.^[12]
• Scranton - The Electric City^[31]
• State College - Happy Valley^[32]
• Wilkes-Barre - Diamond City^[33]

See also

• List of city nicknames in the United States
• Lists of nicknames – nickname list articles on Wikipedia

References

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg (capital)
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