At its height in the early twentieth century, between the timber, silk, lumber and coal industries, the population was close to 6,000—a booming town with a busy Main Street.

The land that is Forest City and the surrounding area was originally part of the Delaware-Munsee Indian Tribe.

Lumbering was the only industry of this area, with the exception of a small mining operation run by William Pentecost, which supplied only sufficient coal to neighboring farmers with winter fuel.

Today, the Forest City Area Historical Society serves as a reminder of this once flourishing coal town.

Due to the historical influx of immigrants settling in primary sector of the economy towns such as Forest City, as each successive ethnic minority would build their own church.

[citation needed] Until recently, Forest City's overwhelmingly Roman Catholic population boasted five churches: St. Anthony, St. Michael, St. Agnes, St. Joseph, and Sacred Heart.

Each of these churches were ethnic, St. Agnes being Irish, St. Anthony's was Lithuanian; St. Michael's was Slovak; St. Joseph's was Slovenian; and Sacred Heart was Polish.

The Ascension of Our Lord Parish was created and dedicated in 2010, and the worship site, St. Joseph's Church, was renovated to accommodate the merger.

[citation needed] Forest City has its own police department which serves some surrounding municipalities on a contractual basis.

The police department is located on the second floor of Forest City's Boro Hall, which also is the office for town's mayor.

Kennedy Park, located on Pennsylvania Route 247, five blocks from Main Street, has a lake, baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, frisbee golf course, playground, and nature trail.

Babe Ruth Park is located on Railroad Street and features a playground, playing field, and a basketball court.

Forest City is the starting point to the Steamtown Marathon, which is held the Sunday before Columbus Day.