Williamsport, Maryland
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Williamsport, Maryland
| settlement_type = Town
| nickname =
| motto =
| image_skyline = Williamsport Maryland.jpg
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Conococheague Street in Williamsport in 2007
| image_flag = Flag of Williamsport, Maryland.png
| image_seal = Seal of Williamsport, Maryland.png
| image_map = Washington_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Williamsport_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 250x200px
| map_caption = Location of Williamsport, Maryland
| image_map1 =
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = Maryland
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name2 = Washington
| government_type = Mayor–council
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name =
| leader_title1 = Assistant Mayor
| leader_name1 =
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = 1823{{cite web|title=Williamsport|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/37mun/williamsport/html/w.html|website=Maryland Manual|publisher=State of Maryland|access-date=June 27, 2017}}
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 2.55
| area_land_km2 = 2.55
| area_water_km2 = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi = 0.98
| area_land_sq_mi = 0.98
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.00
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 2083
| population_density_km2 = 817.91
| population_density_sq_mi = 2119.02
| timezone = Eastern (EST)
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| elevation_ft = 420
| coordinates = {{coord|39|35|50|N|77|49|05|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = ZIP code
| postal_code = 21795
| area_code = 301, 240
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 24-85100
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 2391487{{GNIS|2391487}}
| website = http://williamsportmd.gov/
| footnotes =
}}
Williamsport is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,868 at the 2000 census and 2,137 as of 2010.[https://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2008-04-24.csv Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Maryland, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008], U.S. Census Bureau, 2008. Released July 1, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2009.
Geography
File:C&O Canal - Cushwa Visitor Center.jpg File:C&O Canal - Conococheague Creek Aqueduct.jpg Aqueduct]]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of {{convert|1.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 25, 2013}}
Williamsport is located {{cvt|7.69|mi}} southwest of Hagerstown[http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Williamsport&1s=MD&2c=Hagerstown&2s=MD Driving Directions from Williamsport, MD to Hagerstown, MD], Mapquest. Accessed February 22, 2009. and {{cvt|16.23|mi}} north of Martinsburg, West Virginia.[http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Williamsport&1s=MD&2c=Martinsburg&2s=WV Driving Directions from Williamsport, MD to Martinsburg, WV], Mapquest. Accessed February 22, 2009.
=Climate=
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Williamsport has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=75981&cityname=Williamsport,+Maryland,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Williamsport, Maryland Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=April 19, 2018}}
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1850= 1091
|1860= 1016
|1870= 1283
|1880= 1503
|1890= 1277
|1900= 1472
|1910= 1571
|1920= 1615
|1930= 1775
|1940= 1772
|1950= 1890
|1960= 1853
|1970= 2270
|1980= 2153
|1990= 2103
|2000= 1868
|2010= 2137
|2020= 2083
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}
}}
=2010 census=
As of the census{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 25, 2013}} of 2010, there were 2,137 people, 960 households, and 543 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|2054.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,080 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1038.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 95.6% White, 2.5% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.
There were 960 households, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.7% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.4% were non-families. 38.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.73.
The median age in the town was 44.9 years. 19% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.4% were from 45 to 64; and 23.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.
=2000 census=
As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} of 2000, there were 1,868 people, 785 households, and 471 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,725.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 836 housing units at an average density of {{convert|772.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. 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.
Notable people
- Nick Adenhart, former MLB pitcher
- Dave Cole, former MLB pitcher
- Gina Marie Groh, United States District Court Judge
History
File:Maryland - Williamsport - NARA - 23941235 (cropped).jpg
The town lies on one of the early Native American trails between New York and the Carolinas. In the mid-18th century, 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.
In 1755 the land tract of Thomas Cresap (Jr.) named "Leeds" at the future site of Williamsport would become an important supply depot for the Braddock expedition to capture the French fort Duquesne (at present Pittsburgh). Supplies were transported to this place both west from Rock Creek (today's Georgetown) and south from Pennsylvania. Col. Thomas Dunbar's 48th regiment of the British Army encamped here on May 1, 1755, before ferrying across the Potomac River and marching two days south to rejoin Sir Thomas Halkett's 44th regiment north of Winchester, Virginia.{{Cite book|title=The History of an Expedition Against Fort Du Quesne in 1755|last=Sargent|first=Winthrop|publisher=J.B. Lippincott|year=1856}} Just over two months later Dunbar, the highest-ranking surviving, unwounded officer, would lead the remains of the tattered army through Williamsport to Frederick, Maryland on the retreat to Philadelphia.{{Cite book|title=Charlotte Brown, "The Journal of Charlotte Brown, Matron of the General Hospital, with the English Forces in America, 1754-1756," in Colonial Captivities, Marches and Journeys|last=Calder|first=Isabel M.|publisher=Kennikat Press|year=1935}}
The land of present-day Williamsport was previously owned by Otho Holland Williams, a Continental Army officer in the American Revolutionary War, and for whom the town is named.
Cedar Grove, Daniel Donnelly House, Elmwood, Rose Hill, Sprechers Mill House, Springfield Farm, Tammany, and the Williamsport Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.{{NRISref|version=2010a}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/upload/weekly-list-2013-national-register-of-historic-places.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=January 4, 2013|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/26/12 through 12/28/12|publisher=National Park Service}}
=Economic growth=
File:Maryland - Williamsport - NARA - 23941233 (cropped).jpg
In 1834, boats using a portion of the newly built Chesapeake and Ohio Canal were able to reach Williamsport from Washington, D.C. The canal itself was extended to Williamsport in 1835.{{cite book |title=Chesapeake and Ohio Canal |publisher=National Park Service |location=Washington, D.C. |year=1991 |isbn=0-912627-43-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/chesapeakeohioca0000unse |url-access=registration }} Handbook No. 142.{{rp|96}} The canal became an important commercial route which connected the area with the lower Potomac River region and the Chesapeake Bay, and later with the Cumberland, Maryland region as the canal construction continued westward. Williamsport became a very popular waterfront town which benefited the economy. In 1873, the Western Maryland Railway extended its line from Hagerstown to Williamsport, in order to gain access to canal traffic. Coal from Cumberland area mines was one of the principal commodities transferred from canal barges to rail cars at Williamsport.{{Cook-Western Maryland |pages=33–34}}
=Flooding=
In 1863, during the Civil War, 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.{{rp|94}} A large flood in 1924 caused extensive damage to the canal, which was then permanently shut down.{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/historyculture/canaloperation.htm |title=Canal Operation |author=National Park Service |work=Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park |access-date=October 22, 2012}}
Recent developments
The town's historic core was added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Williamsport Historic District in 2001.{{NRISref|2008a}}
The town in May 2010 secured Michael Sparks, a previous town consultant and writer of a revitalization feasibility study, as Director of Economic and Community Development to revitalize downtown and attract tourism.[http://www.herald-mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=247293&format=html Williamsport Budget], Andrew Schotz June 14, 2010.{{Cite web |url=http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes030110.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 26, 2011 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520175335/http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes030110.pdf |url-status=dead }} Mr. Sparks outlined a revitalization initiative with the acronym of C.A.R.E.
- C-Connecting the various assets of the Town both physically and aesthetically.
- A-Align and inform the merchants with the needs and demographics of tourists.
- R-Rebuild through improving building conditions with Code Enforcement and Ordinance changes.
- E-Entertainment and how to create excitement to pull tourist activity into the town so that it can be built upon and capitalized on by a revitalized Town Center.{{Cite web |url=http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes080910.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 26, 2011 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520175326/http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes080910.pdf |url-status=dead }}
Over a one-year experiment{{when|date=March 2013}} with having a full-time economic development employee{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-mail.com/news/local/hm-391-million-budget-proposed-for-williamsport-20110605,0,7634158.story |title=$3.91 million budget proposed for Williamsport |publisher=herald-mail.com |date=June 5, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} hundreds of thousands of grant dollars were secured for projects including handicap accessibility for town buildings,{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-mail.com/news/local/hm-williamsport-briefs-20110315,0,424361.story |title=Williamsport briefs |publisher=herald-mail.com |date=March 15, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} reconstruction of sewage pump stations,{{cite web|url=http://your4state.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=171226 |title=Town Gets Grant to Help Update Sewer System |publisher=Your4State.com |date=March 10, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} a possible bike-and-boat rental facility,{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-mail.com/news/local/hm-bikeandboat-rental-facility-in-williamsport-tops-list-of-federal-grant-requests-20110504,0,3407647.story |title=Bike-and-boat rental facility in Williamsport tops list of federal grant requests |publisher=herald-mail.com |date=May 4, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} and the town was approved as a Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area Target Investment Zone.{{Cite web |url=http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes071210.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 26, 2011 |archive-date=May 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520175328/http://www.williamsportmd.gov/docs/minutes/minutes071210.pdf |url-status=dead }} Bike lanes,{{cite web|url=http://www.canaltrust.org/trust/news.php?ac=post&id=7&cat=2&m=0&y=0 |title=Canal Trust |publisher=Canal Trust |date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} bike racks and directional signage were installed to better direct tourists and connect the town with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. A new permit process was set up with the Washington County, Maryland permit office, building code enforcement and heavy truck traffic were addressed.{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-mail.com/news/local/hm-williamsport-considers-restricting-truck-weight-20110307,0,7098318.story |title=Williamsport considers restricting truck weight |publisher=herald-mail.com |date=March 7, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} Events were coordinated that emphasized revitalization and the downtown merchants.{{cite web|url=http://your4state.com/fulltext?nxd_id=135985 |title=Williamsport Overtaken by Pirates |publisher=Your4State.com |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://your4state.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=135635 |title=Pirates Set to Take Over Williamsport |publisher=Your4State.com |date=September 17, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-09-19/news/25195088_1_town-officials-pirate-s-plunder-pirate-day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329043058/http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-09-19/news/25195088_1_town-officials-pirate-s-plunder-pirate-day |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |title=Pirates plunder Williamsport – Herald-Mail |publisher=Articles.herald-mail.com |date=September 19, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} Additionally local youth were honored for community involvement,{{cite web|url=http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-08-12/news/25197481_1_destination-imagination-students-international-youth-day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329043106/http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-08-12/news/25197481_1_destination-imagination-students-international-youth-day |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |title=Williamsport students honored for International Youth Day – Herald-Mail |publisher=Articles.herald-mail.com |date=August 12, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} events were coordinated for town youth{{cite web|url=http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-08-15/news/25198144_1_reptile-crib-springfield-farm-barn-balloon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329043109/http://articles.herald-mail.com/2010-08-15/news/25198144_1_reptile-crib-springfield-farm-barn-balloon |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2012 |title=Williamsport gives youths Last Blast of summer – Herald-Mail |publisher=Articles.herald-mail.com |date=August 15, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} and a Boys and Girls Club was created.{{Cite web |url=http://www.bgcwc.com/Images/Images/williamsport%20gets%20a%20boys%20%26%20girls%20club.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=February 16, 2022 |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331065747/http://www.bgcwc.com/Images/Images/williamsport%20gets%20a%20boys%20%26%20girls%20club.pdf |url-status=dead }} The changes increased business in Williamsport.{{cite web|url=http://www.herald-mail.com/news/hm-business-owners-williamsports-plan-to-attract-tourists-is-working-20110215,0,5889244.story |title=Business owners: Williamsport's plan to attract tourists is working |publisher=herald-mail.com |date=February 15, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://your4state.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=127245 |title=Small Change Creates Big Boom in Business for Cafe Owner |publisher=Your4State.com |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=October 17, 2011}} The town is part of a regional initiative known as the Canal Towns Partnership.{{cite web|url=http://www.potomacheritage.net/2011/04/williamsport-md/ |title=Williamsport, MD – Potomac Heritage Explorer |publisher=Potomacheritage.net |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}
FirstEnergy corporation closed the R. Paul Smith Power Station in Williamsport on September 1, 2012.Maryland Department of the Environment, Baltimore, MD (April 5, 2013). [http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/regulations/air/Documents/RP_Smith_NPA_MD_Reg_4-05-13.pdf "Notice of Proposed Action: 26.11.27 Emission Limitations for Power Plants."] Maryland Register, Vol. 40, Issue 7. pp. 626-7.
Transportation
The main means of transportation to and from Williamsport are by road. Interstate 81 is the main highway directly serving Williamsport, passing along the town's southeastern border. I-81 continues north towards Harrisburg and south towards Martinsburg. A few miles from Williamsport, I-81 also has an interchange with Interstate 70, which provides access to Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Other highways serving Williamsport include U.S. Route 11, Maryland Route 63 and Maryland Route 68, all of which converge in the center of town.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{commons category|Williamsport, Maryland}}
- [http://williamsportmd.gov/ Welcome to Williamsport, Maryland]
{{Washington County, Maryland}}
{{Hagerstown-Chambersburg-Waynesboro Radio}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Maryland populated places on the Potomac River