Bryantown, Lycoming County Pa

Bryan Mills, Bryantown PA

Located between Hughesville and Picture Rocks, Bryantown, or Bryan's Mills, included 4 dwellings and flour mill and a woolen mill.  The old brick home had been erected by Mr. Bryan in 1842. The other large house, occupied as the Ellison home in the 1950s, was erected after the Civil War.

Memories From The Life Of Sammy Ray

 
Sammy Ray was born in 1916 in Williamsport, and lived there for nearly 100 years.  He shared a series of "Memories" from his life, including many interesting tidbits about the area.  

Sammy Ray, on the Pilato Mural in Williamsport

The Memories Of Sammy Ray:

The Verdi Band, Williamsport Pa

Verdi Band, Williamsport Pa

The Morgan Valley Road Band

 

The Morgan Valley Road Album, Out Of The Shell
[Album Found On Amazon]
The Morgan Valley Road Band, from Williamsport Pennsylvania, began playing together in 1974.

Inspiration: Lycoming - The Pilato Mural in Williamsport

Worlds Largest Outdoor Portraiture Mural

Personally, I've looked at this mural many, many times - photographing it dozens of times over the years.  But I had no idea what all was in here.  There's an actual purple heart embedded in this mural.  Not only is there a part of the twin towers, but part of the steel was ground up and used in the paint for that section of the mural.  Families and friends of those pictured have come and added their handprints,  and letters.  Some have even painted halos on their loved ones.  Bring 3D Glasses - part of the mural is even 3D!

In Pilato's videos he says there's nothing like this anywhere else in the world - and I'm confident that is true.  

Named Inspiration: Lycoming, the mural is 96 feet by 24 feet and covers the walls of three buildings in a u-shape, around a parking area on 4th street, across from the Community Arts Center. [223 West 4th Street between Government Place and William Street]

Artist Michael Pilato spent more than two years planning, crafting, and creating the mural.

The mural depicts the history of Lycoming County, and hundreds of people who lived in the area and influenced the county in a positive way.

Throughout the mural can be found handprints representing family members and friends of someone featured in the mural. 

Milton Celebrates Centennial, July 1878

 

Milton Pa celebrated the Nations Centennial on July 4th 1878

The program was printed by the Independent Weekly

The Sunbury Gazette, and Northumberland County Republican

Sunbury, Pennsylvania · Friday, July 12, 1878

The Route For the Procession.  Hon. Franklin Bound gave an address at Upper Market Square.

A description of each of the fireworks to be set off.

The Schedule of Events

==================

Chief Woapalanne - Whispering Giants Series

 

 Chief Woapalanne was carved by Peter Toth as part of his Whispering Giants Series

Carved  in Brandon Park in 1990, the Chief Woapalanne  statue was badly damaged by rot and termite damage.  As a result, it was removed from the park in 2015.  The upper part of the statue was restored, and today is located behind the Trade and Transit Center in Williamsport.

Woapalanne is one of more than 70 in Peter Toth's Whispering Giants Series.   Toth's goal was to carve a statue in each of the 50 states, and he accepted no money for the statue, although the materials were often donated, and lodgings were frequently provided.  He exceeded his goal, with several states having more than one of his statues.

The Escape Hatch Tomb At Wildwood Cemetery

At Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport, on the east side near the entrance, you can see a unique mausoleum that has been featured in Life Magazine, as well as in an episode of Ripley's Believe It Or Not. 

The "escape hatch" mausoleum was designed with air circulation, and the ability to be opened from the inside. 

Mazeppa, Pa

Mazeppa, Union County Pa

The area of Union changed to Boyertown, named after early settlers Samuel and Sarah Boyer.  In 1886, in order to have a Post Office, the town needed a new name,  as there was already a Boyertown in Berks County Pa.  Professor Clement E. Edmunds, being familiar with Lord Byron's poem Mazeppa, proposed the new name.

Mazeppa School, Mazeppa Union County Pa

School House, Mazeppa PA

The Arby's Sign In Williamsport Pa

 

The Original Arby's Hat Sign on the Golden Strip in Williamsport is thought to be one of less than 100 still in use throughout the United States. Installed in the early 1970s, the sign would be a  codes violation today, due to it's size, but it's grandfathered in and allowed to remain. 

Trade & Transit Centre History - Transportation Tribute

 
The Transportation Sculptures at the Trade  & Transit Centre
100 West 3rd Street, Williamsport Pa

Trade & Transit Center History - Stearns Plaza

 100 West 3rd Street, Williamsport PA 17701

While in Williamsport recently to see a Community Theater League Production, I had a few minutes to walk around the Trade & Transit Center and Read the various markers, including these on a brick wall labeled L.L. Stearns & Sons Plaza.  Here's a closer look at the historical markers here, and a lot of additional old photos of the buildings and stores mentioned in those markers.

"Each One Teach One " - The Apostle Of Literacy, from Benton PA

On September 2 1984, a 30 cent stamp was issued, commemorating Dr. Frank Laubach of Benton, "The Apostle of Literacy".