“Williamsport is located in the heart of the Cumberland Valley,

surrounded by the most fertile and productive soil in the State,

with a very moderate and healthful climate, where the

Conococheague Creek flows into the Potomac River.

The town has a very interesting past from a historical stand-

point being the western frontier post for the Colonial French

and English traders, who had their trading posts here at

the Conococheague Settlement as it was then known.  General

Braddock, George Washington and Colonel Cresap, once kept

their supplies here.  The Potomac River boats, the turnpike

wagons, and armies of cattle and turkeys, etc., going to the

sea coast towns made this a thriving community.

In 1787 a formal town was lade out and founded by General

Otho Holland Williams, an officer in the Continental Army,

who served with General George Washington.  General

Williams died at the age of 45 and is buried in Riverview

Cemetery in Williamsport.  The town was originally named

William’s Port, later the apostrophe was dropped, leaving

the name Williams Port, and when the town was incorporated

by an Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, the town

took the name of Williamsport.  This town was also called the

hub of the Civil War activities.  At the present the town is

governed by a modern town council, consisting of a mayor,

assistant mayor, five commissioners, and a town clerk,

serving a population of 2,500 people.

It was not until the year of 1874 that the town decided to

eliminate the mud and limestone streets, and since that time

the streets have been graded and macadamized, leaving the

most picturesque wide streets of any town in the east, with

abundance of shade trees.

The town boasts of a very low tax rate, and has all the

convenience of a larger city such as electric, water, sewerage,

police protection, garbage collection with street cleaning

weekly, an up-to-date fire department, three modern schools,

athletic field, a beautiful community park with playground

equipment and a municipal building where all the business of

the town government is handled.

The citizens of the community and the surrounding territory

have access to over 20 retail stores, two drug stores,

restaurants, and short order lunch concerns, barbershops,

movies, alcoholic beverage business, doctors and dentists,

six churches, fraternal organizations, civic organizations, for

both men and women, Boy and Girl Scouts, a modern legion.

Post and an Auxiliary, garages and filling stations, modern

convalescent hospital and two cemeteries.

In August, 1942, the citizens and organizations of the community

through contributions erected on honor roll board in honor of

those who were serving in World War II, which is located on the

corner of Conococheague and Salisbury Streets, and today the

Honor Roll contains 433 names, and it maintained by the

Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The town is served by two main-line railroads, also through

bus transportation to and from the South.

Williamsport is within thirty-minute bus transportation to the

third largest city in the State, where everything used in the

country can be purchased.

Two modern banks serve the town and surrounding community.

he building, feed and coal supply business is ample for the

community.  We have the largest brick manufacturing

industry in the country and a modern tannery second to

none.  A silk, label and hosiery mill that employ over 250

men and women.  Two broom factories that serve the

community and nearby States.

The water of the Potomac River and Conococheague Creek

permit abundance of fishing and miles of boating.

The housing facilities in the community at the present time

appear to be ample, with numerous new dwellings being

erected outside the town limits.

The public utilities are serviced by the largest power plant

in this district, and a modern pumping station, both located

here.

The citizens of the community are very friendly and always

welcome guests to our town.

To the guests of our town during this three-day convention,

we extend to you an open hand, and want you to visit the

many historic spots, and extend to you an invitation to visit

'Modern Williamsport' at some future time.”