Nestled geographically between two ranges of the Bald Eagle
Mountains along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, outdoor
recreation activities abound in Williamsport, including hunting,
fishing, boating and camping. It is also the Capitol City of Lycoming
County, and is the birthplace of Little League baseball. The original
Little League field and complex, named after Carl Stotz, the founder,
has been restored and is a popular tourist attraction.
Williamsport is also home to Lycoming College, a private Liberal
Arts college and the Pennsylvania College of Technology, an affiliate
of Penn State University. The city of Williamsport is a wonderful
mixture of town culture and country peacefulness.
Feature Segment:
The Underground Railroad
Historically
known as the city that had more millionaires per capita than any city
in the world during the late 1800’s, the history of the Underground
Railroad in Williamsport may not be as widely known. The city was actually
a vital link in the intricate and complex “freedom network” that
was the underground railroad. The West Branch Canal of the Susquehanna
River made for a direct route for slaves fleeing the south. In the
dark of night, a signal would be given by the boat captain before the
boat arrived at the Williamsport dock, so the local “safe house” folks
could meet the escaped slaves at The Exchange Hotel. From there, the
fleeing slaves would be taken into local residents’ homes, and
assisted with transportation up aptly named “freedom road” to
states like New York and as far north as Canada.
Historically
known as the city that had more millionaires per capita than any city
in the world during the late 1800’s, the history of the Underground
Railroad in Williamsport may not be as widely known. The city was actually
a vital link in the intricate and complex “freedom network” that
was the underground railroad. The West Branch Canal of the Susquehanna
River made for a direct route for slaves fleeing the south. In the
dark of night, a signal would be given by the boat captain before the
boat arrived at the Williamsport dock, so the local “safe house” folks
could meet the escaped slaves at The Exchange Hotel. From there, the
fleeing slaves would be taken into local residents’ homes, and
assisted with transportation up aptly named “freedom road” to
states like New York and as far north as Canada.