Williamsport, Pennsylvania facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Williamsport
City
Clockwise from top left: skyline, downtown from 4th Street, The Weightman Block, Franco's Lounge and skyline panorama
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Wilpo, Billtown, The Port.
Motto(s):  The will is in us
Location of Williamsport in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
Williamsport Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania Williamsport Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Pennsylvania
County	Lycoming
Settled	1769
Incorporated	1806 (borough)
	1866 (city)
Area
• Total	9.47 sq mi (24.53 km2)
• Land	8.78 sq mi (22.73 km2)
• Water	0.69 sq mi (1.80 km2)
Elevation (benchmark at center of city)	528 ft (161 m)
Highest elevation (water tank at northern boundary of city)	980 ft (300 m)
Lowest elevation (West Branch Susquehanna River)	498 ft (152 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	27,754
• Density	3,162.13/sq mi (1,220.89/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	17701,17702,17703,17705
Area codes	570 and 272
FIPS code	42-85312
GNIS feature ID	1213655

Williamsport is a city located in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is the main city of the Williamsport area, which has about 114,000 people. Williamsport is also part of a larger area that includes Clinton County.

This city is a key center for culture, money, and business in North Central Pennsylvania. It is known for its sports, art, and food. Williamsport was settled in the late 1700s and grew because of its lumber industry. In 1930, its population was highest at 45,729. By 2020, it had about 27,754 people.

As the county seat, Williamsport has the county courthouse and other important government buildings. It is also home to two colleges: the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College. Williamsport is famous as the birthplace of Little League Baseball. The headquarters of Little League Baseball and the annual Little League World Series are in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, just across the river.

Other interesting places to visit include the Hiawatha riverboat, Millionaires' Row, the Peter J. McGovern Little League Museum, and the Susquehanna Riverwalk.

History of Williamsport

Williamsport has a rich history, from early settlements to becoming a modern city.

Early Beginnings

In 1763, the Battle of Muncy Hills happened during the French and Indian War. This was a fight between Native Americans and colonists. In 1768, the British bought the land that is now Lycoming County from the Iroquois Nation.

The first house in Williamsport was built in March 1796 by James Russell. He built his inn in what is now downtown. In 1795, Lycoming County was formed. It was a very large area, covering most of north central Pennsylvania.

The first baby born in Williamsport was James Russell's grandson, also named James Russell. The first school was a small log room added to the building that became the first Lycoming County Courthouse. In 1798, the first brick house was built by Andrew Tulloh.

A post office opened in 1799. The town's first store opened in 1801. In 1831, the Repasz Band was started. It is the oldest brass band in America still playing today. The West Branch Canal opened in 1834. This helped transport goods. Public schools also opened in 1835, along with the town's first bank.

The Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was a secret network that helped enslaved African-Americans escape to freedom. From 1830 to 1865, this network operated in Lycoming County. Many local people, like Daniel Hughes, helped as "conductors."

Daniel Hughes was a river raftsman. He helped enslaved people escape from Baltimore. He would hide them at his home and in caves on Freedom Road. His grandson, Robert, helped him. They would feed and care for the escapees. Then, they would take them to the next safe house. This was the Apker House in Trout Run. From there, they were hidden in train cars to travel to Elmira, New York.

Growth and Change

In 1849, the Market Street Bridge was built over the West Branch Susquehanna River. A brewery opened in 1854. It was run by the Flock family until the 1940s. During Prohibition, they changed to a dairy to stay in business.

In 1875, Trinity Episcopal Church got the first tower clock in the U.S. to play the Cambridge Quarters chime. The Williamsport Hospital opened in 1876.

A state law in 1881 ended racial segregation in Pennsylvania schools. By 1948, all local schools were integrated. In 1895, Harry Houdini performed in Williamsport with The Welch Brothers Circus.

Williamsport was the birthplace of the national newspaper Grit in 1882. The city was once known for having many millionaires. Because of this, the local high school team is called the "Millionaires."

Modern Times

A big flood happened on March 17–18, 1936. The river rose very high. This flood was known as the "Hello, Al" flood. A man named Al Glaes used his radio to keep the city connected when power and phones were out.

The first Little League Baseball game was played in Williamsport on June 6, 1939. Carl Stotz came up with the idea for Little League. In 1941, the Williamsport School Board started the Williamsport Technical Institute. This school later became the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Geography and Climate

Williamsport is located in a beautiful part of Pennsylvania.

Where is Williamsport?

Williamsport is at 41°14′40″N 77°1′7″W / 41.24444°N 77.01861°W / 41.24444; -77.01861. It is next to the West Branch Susquehanna River to the south. It is surrounded by several townships. Williamsport is about 130 miles (209 km) northwest of Philadelphia. It is also about 165 miles (266 km) east-northeast of Pittsburgh.

The city covers about 9.5 square miles (24.5 km2). Most of this is land, with some water.

Important Places and Areas

Several buildings in Williamsport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Peter Herdic House and the City Hall.

Williamsport has different neighborhoods:

• Downtown: This is the city center.
• Grampian Hills: An area around and north of Grampian Blvd.
• Millionaire's Row: Found along West 4th Street.
• Newberry: Located west of Lycoming Creek.
• Park Avenue: South of Williamsport Hospital.
• Vallamont: North of Rural Ave and west of Market St.
• East End: South of Grampian Blvd. and east of Market St.
• West Hills: A hillside area north of Dewey.

Williamsport's Weather

Williamsport has four clear seasons. Winters are cold and often have a mix of rain, sleet, and snow. January is the coldest month. Temperatures can drop very low. Snowfall averages about 36 inches (91 cm) per year.

Summers are usually very warm and humid. July is the warmest month. Temperatures can go above 90°F (32°C) many days each year. The highest temperature ever recorded was 106°F (41°C) in July 1936. The lowest was -20°F (-29°C) in January 1994.

The city gets about 41 inches (104 cm) of rain each year. Rain falls on about 133 days.

People of Williamsport

In 2000, there were 30,706 people living in Williamsport. There were 12,219 households. About 27.4% of households had children under 18. About 34.9% were married couples.

The population was spread out by age. About 22.5% were under 18. About 18.0% were 18 to 24 years old. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were about 97.7 males.

The average income for a household was $25,946. For families, it was $33,844. About 21.5% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 24.0% of those under 18.

Economy and Jobs

Williamsport has several large employers. These include UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport, the Pennsylvania State Government, and the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Other big employers are Williamsport Area School District, Brodart Company, and Springs Window Fashions.

The city is known for Lycoming Engines, which makes aircraft engines. This company is part of Textron. Brodart, a company that supplies libraries, is also based here.

Recently, there has been interest in getting natural gas from the ground in the Williamsport area. Williamsport has become an important place for Marcellus Shale drilling. Lonza Group, a Swiss company, also has a large factory here. They make special chemicals for many uses.

A project to improve downtown Williamsport started in 2004. This project aimed to attract more people to the area. The Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge was one of the first projects. It was finished in 2008.

Education in Williamsport

Williamsport is home to two colleges: Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology. There is also a continuing education center for Pennsylvania State University.

The Williamsport Area School District includes several schools:

• Cochran Primary School
• Hepburn Lycoming Primary School
• Jackson Primary School
• Curtin Intermediate School
• Lycoming Valley Intermediate School
• Williamsport Area Middle School
• Williamsport Area High School

The Williamsport Area School District has a well-known music program. It is often ranked among the top schools in the country for music.

Private schools in the area include West Branch School and Mountain View Christian School. Several Catholic schools are run by Saint John Neumann Regional Academy.

Libraries in the City

The James V. Brown Library in 2014

The James V. Brown Library is Williamsport's public library. It has a large collection of books, DVDs, and CDs. The library also offers free wireless Internet. It has archives of local history.

The library helps almost 87,000 people. It lends out many books each year. The James V. Brown Library offers programs for young children, teens, and adults. In 2009, a children's wing was built. This wing helps young people from birth through second grade. The library also has after-school clubs and events for teens.

Other libraries in Williamsport include Lycoming College's Snowden Library. The Pennsylvania College of Technology has the Madigan Library.

Hospitals and Health

UPMC Susquehanna is a health system with six hospitals. These include:

• UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport
• UPMC Susquehanna Divine Providence
• UPMC Susquehanna Muncy (in Muncy, Pennsylvania)
• UPMC Susquehanna Soldiers & Sailors (Wellsboro, Pennsylvania)
• UPMC Susquehanna Lock Haven (Lock Haven, Pennsylvania)
• UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury (Sunbury, Pennsylvania)

UPMC Susquehanna Williamsport was named one of the top heart hospitals in the nation in 2011.

Getting Around Williamsport

Williamsport station, c. 1910

Williamsport Regional Airport (IPT) is a few miles east of the city. It currently does not have commercial flights. Fullington Trailways offers bus service from downtown. You can travel to places like Elmira, New York, Harrisburg, New York City, and Philadelphia. Local bus service is provided by River Valley Transit.

Williamsport is served by major highways. These include Interstate 180, U.S. Route 15, and U.S. Route 220.

In the past, Williamsport was a big transfer point for trains. Trains connected to places like Jersey City, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. Freight train service is now provided by the Lycoming Valley Railroad. It connects to other major railroads.

The West Branch Susquehanna River is not used for large ships. However, a dam creates a lake for recreational boating. You can take rides on the Hiawatha, a boat that looks like an old paddlewheeler.

Sports in Williamsport

The Little League World Series is held annually at Lamade Stadium

The Williamsport Crosscutters are a baseball team. They play their home games at Bowman Field. This field also hosts the MLB Little League Classic every year.

The Little League World Series is held every year in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This is where Little League Baseball has its main office.

Media and Entertainment

Local newspapers include the Williamsport Sun Gazette and Webb Weekly.

You can listen to local news and talk radio stations like WRAK/WRKK and WWPA. Williamsport also has an all-sports radio station, ESPN (AM).

TV stations in Williamsport are part of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre market.

A movie theater on West 4th Street opened in 2008.

Fun Places to Visit

Famous People from Williamsport

Images for kids

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  Aerial view of Williamsport from the early 20th century

• 

  West Third Street looking west, around 1910

• 

  Williamsport Home for the Friendless, around 1910

• 

  Downtown Williamsport

• 

  Downtown and the Genetti Hotel seen from neighboring South Williamsport

• 

  The historic Pajama Factory seen from Wildwood cemetery in February 2018

• 

  Location of the Williamsport-Lock Haven CSA and its components:

• The black dot shows the location of Williamsport
• 

  Williamsport City Hall, a former U.S. Post Office

Panoramic view of South Willamsport, Duboistown and Williamsport from the River Walk on top of the flood control levee. Bald Eagle Mountain, West Branch Susquehanna River, Hepburn Street Dam on the left, center is River Walk path, Lycoming Valley Railroad, Interstate 180 and city skyline, right is Market Street Bridge over the river.

See also

In Spanish: Williamsport (Pensilvania) para niños