Nestled at the foot of the Appalachian mountains and divided by the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, Williamsport’s striking landscape provided inspiration as well as protection even before the town’s inception in 1796. What was once the beacon of a thriving lumber industry and in time became the cradle of our nation’s pastime with baseball’s Little League World Series, has evolved into a city with a dynamic story rich in culture and tradition.
Williamsport features an array of vintage postcards of the city in the early days to when it became the lumber capital of the world. The postcards highlight both Williamsport and the mighty Susquehanna River as early pioneers and founders made this uncharted frontier wilderness into a thriving Victorian metropolis. At one time, Williamsport was a contender for the Pennsylvania state capital due to its central location, political might of the day, and the fabulous wealth amassed from the lumber industry. Covering the early days of the Pennsylvania Canal to the visit and tales of Mark Twain to the makings of Williamsport’s first millionaires of the early lumbering era, this rare collection of photographic correspondence provides a glorious glimpse into the city’s illustrious past.
