Tunnison Coryell

The life of Tunnison Coryell, one of Lycoming County's and Williamsport's most notable men of accomplishment and finance in the 19th century, spans the period of Williamsport evolving from a sleepy frontier village to a city of diverse great industries. John F. Meginness writes in his "History of Lycoming County," "Tunnison Coryell was closely

2025-07-08T14:57:45-04:00By |Lou Hunsinger Jr.|

Daniel Repasz

America's oldest band in continuous existence bears his name, but Daniel Repasz didn't join the group until nine years after it was formed. Historian Mary Russell researches Repasz in a Lycoming County Historical Society Journal article, "Williamsport's Musical Heritage," and so does Jeffrey Dugan in his master's thesis, "The Bands of Williamsport." Dugan was

2025-07-08T14:57:58-04:00By |Lou Hunsinger Jr.|

Widow Smith’s Walk

While Michael Ross was settling the City of Williamsport, selling parcels of land to frontier families and immigrants, another enterprising resident of the West Branch Valley was being hoodwinked from her home and business. Widow Smith's Walk Catherine Smith, an old woman "of great business tact and energy," had erected gristmills and sawmills

2019-10-09T16:49:02-04:00By |History|

A Heroic Duo

While Gen. George Washington's Continental Army fought the British, settlers along the frontier of the Susquehanna River also considered themselves at war with the displaced Native Americans. Conflicts escalated daily. Rumors of planned attacks were taken seriously. In August 1778, the Big Runaway began along the West Branch of the river, and settlers fled

2025-07-08T15:25:42-04:00By |History|

Long Reach

Historical preservation is an admirable, though challenging, goal to achieve. Preservation works best in communities that have programs managed at the local government level. In 2003, Williamsport's City Council considered an amendment to a zoning ordinance that would result in new historic preservation sections within the city, as well as

2025-07-08T14:04:14-04:00By |Archaeology, History|
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