Williamsport As Viewed By "A Stroller", May 1914

 

1914 Birds Eye View Of Williamsport Pa

As Published in The Williamsport Sun Gazette, May 11 1914
[With recently added photos of the items mentioned]

"All the small streams north of  the city were bank full Saturday as yesterday as a reality of the rains.

1914 postcard of Rural Avenue, looking west from Campbell, Williamsport Pa

Like the bad weather, automobiles were numerous on the streets yesterday. And a 15 minute period picked at random during the afternoon 13 motor cars passed a given point on Campbell St.

View on Campbell Street Williamsport, abt 1916

The red man's street fair or circus at the fairgrounds drew the usual Sunday crowd of curious spectators.

The Post Office was in the old courthouse in 1914

A great many people wondered why the post office was decorated so profusely yesterday the building was in patriotic holiday garb from bottom up all on account of Mother's Day postmasters all over the country having been advised by the postmaster general to fling out the old glory in honor of the owner of “ the hand that rocks the cradle”.

It was noted that the young folks and older ones as well who enjoy a walk on Sunday afternoon, took occasion to profit by the vagaries the hide and seek weather of the past two days and carry umbrellas with them yesterday.

419 West Fourth Street

Home of Albert Bubb in 1914.  It became the Garrett

Cochran Post 1 American Legion -  Pennsylvania's first American Legion Post - in 1919.

Down Maynard street just now, between 3rd and 4th streets, you suddenly draw a most delightful smell when you reach vine street, in fact before there it comes from the upper end of Ways garden there stands a large tree, filled with white blossoms and throwing off a fragrance which is so sweet that you want to stand there for a long time so as not to lose any. There is another of these trees in front of s home at 4th and center streets, and hundreds of people have sniffed delightedly as they got the odor. Mr. Bubb had two of these trees but one was blown down in a heavy storm last summer.

Ways Garden [Likely in the 1930s]

 Speaking of Ways Garden it seems too bad that there is not some sort of protection to keep small boys tearing off limbs of the lilac and other bushes. The splendid Magnolia tree, now and full bloom, has been almost ruined by vicious boys who climbed it and then tore off big bunches in order to carry away a few flowers which they dared not take home. Yesterday the lilac bushes were just getting ready to bloom and the boys were jealously waiting for a chance to get at them.

Down at the jail yesterday the prisoners were at their grated windows on the 2nd tier, sticking their arms out through the bars and probably wishing they were outside. A handsome male Robin full size and red breasted, sat astride the walls and burst into one of his wonderful love songs, “te wheet, te wheet, te wheet.” The sound could be plainly heard in The Gazette and bulletin office so loudly did this bird Carol, and the prisoners eyed it wistfully and craned their neck to see it. Perhaps robin read breast what cheer them up.

The jail as it would have looked in 1914.  The Central Tower was removed in the 1920s

Down on the jail yard wall the Ivy vines, planted 2 years ago through the efforts of Dietrick Lamade,  manager of the grit, and replanted last year, are growing beautifully and give promise in a year or two to cover the entire wall. Already they are sending out smaller shoots. It will be recalled that the vines were planted 2 years ago. The first summer they did not grow well as they did not have the right soil. Then last year they were replanted and given proper attention and regular care by one of the “trusties” jail their present condition shows their appreciation of the treatment.

West 3rd from William Street, showing the prison

 And Mr. Lamade deserves another bit of credit.  It was only about two years ago when the northwest corner of 3rd and William streets was marred by a pair of ramshackle buildings which were a disgrace to the downtown section of the city. Mr. Lamade brought the property and had the ground torn up grasp plotted and laid out in gardens. The result was visible yesterday when scores of people who passed by were loud in their expressions of the three of the Tulip beds and other flowers within the enclosure.

1914 was the last year the original Hiawatha ran.  It was replaced by a gas powered boat.

The past few days of heavy rain have swollen the river. Those who own canoes  below the dam were around yesterday looking at their boat houses, all but 1/2 under water and in cases where canoes had already been placed for the season, desperate sights. Down the river came logs, boards and debris of all kinds, while the current ran like a mill race.  Boats and canoes were visible on the stream, while a number of young men took advantage of the high water to take a swift trip to Milton. The run can be made in three or four hours with this stage of water.

There is every prospect that someday South Williamsport will have a beauty spot just back of the air Dome on the South side of the bridge. This used to be a great swamp but the borough has taken it over for a dump and is filling it in. Strip has already been reclaimed and is, presenting a fine appearance, while the dumping is going on rapidly and the land which remains will be rapidly filled.

South Williamsport has an opportunity to serve the entire population of the borough of Williamsport as well as its riverfront. Nothing would be finer than a park along the north side of the river, a park such as this city's made out of their riverfront. But if the cost of the park [unreadable – possibly “proper”]  is too great  the borough could still serve many by laying out a neat path on the north side and making a wider path out of it comma so that the people could walk on the riverside and enjoy the view period many took the walk yesterday but had to stay on the South Rd. losing half of the beauty of the view.

Park Hotel 1914

The woods were never prettier than they are just now. Colors of variegated hues touch up the trees and the greens of the Pines contrast with the Dogwood blossoms and the leaves of the trees, making lovely shading effects. And in the woods there is the smell of spring, the smell which seems to drive away thoughts of care and worry and make everyone feel good. While the rain kept some away from the woods yesterday there were other who other and trips and enjoyed them.

A Pennsylvania Mandrake, or Mayapple

Just now there are a few flowers blooming. This week seems to find only small flowers, the violet and similar species save the dogwood. The arbutus is practically gone and the Mayflower, or wild honeysuckle, as it is more commonly known, and the Mandrake have not yet come into their own. They will be here within a week or 10 days and their fragrance will make an entirely different odor in the woods. The hill South of the city have a wonderful profusion of flowers especially the honeysuckle, and our pink with these and also covered with Laura which will soon add its color to the hills.

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