Williamsport, Maryland

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Williamsport is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,868 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Historic Routes
5 External links

[edit] Geography

Williamsport is located at 39°35′55″N, 77°49′6″W (39.598496, -77.818464)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,868 people, 785 households, and 471 families residing in the town. The population density was 667.8/km² (1,725.6/mi²). There were 836 housing units at an average density of 298.9/km² (772.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.29% White, 0.80% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.

There were 785 households out of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 35.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 23.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,243, and the median income for a family was $41,115. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $21,708 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,179. About 7.4% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

History is ingrained in the culture of Williamsport. The town lies on one of the early Native American trails between New York and the Carolinas. In the mid-1700s, tens of thousands of European settlers and pioneer families with their wagons followed the same route on the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania to Virginia and points south and west. In 1744, a ferry was established at the present site of Williamsport to carry the traffic across the Potomac River. Today’s travelers make the crossing on Interstate 81 a mile downriver from the town.

Williamsport has been a careful steward of its historical heritage, and the National Park Service contributes with maintenance of the local section of the C&O Canal National Park. Preservation and restoration projects are always in evidence. The manufacture of handmade and "antique" bricks under the 120-year-old Cushwa name is an integral part of Williamsport’s economy.

With the opening of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal in the area of 1834, Williamsport became a very popular waterfront town which benefited the economy. But then after a large flood the canals were shut down for good in 1924. The overflowing flooding waters of the River prevented General Robert E. Lee's army, on its retreat from Gettysburg, from crossing and making it safely into Virginia for several days.

There are many other attractions in the town of Williamsport. The Spring House on the historic Springfield farm, is located at the Northern end town. It was built by Col. Thomas Cresap in 1692. It is thought and said to be the first and oldest permanent building in Washington County. George Washington stayed at Spring House when he visited the town on October 14, 1791. Along with Washington another famous person stayed in Williamsport. His name is Abner Doubleday and he is known as the inventor of baseball, and he was in the area while a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. He crossed the Potomac at Williamsport and in 1861 built a breastwork now known as Doubleday Hill at the western end of the Riverview Cemetery.

Along with the many attractions of Williamsport just like any other town it carries legends and stories with it. Stories and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation. One of the most famous is the one told of the "Veiled Lady" who was once said to dress all in black, roam the town at night and chase children off the streets. The "lady" has been part of the town lore for more than 100 years. The story goes back to the original lady who supposedly was a local woman trying to catch her husband in a love affair. She dressed in black and in a veiled hat as a disguise to spy on her straying mate. The lady has been "reincarnated" from time to time and it remains to go on.

The community was named after Revolutionary War Gen. Otho Holland Williams.