Bus Terminal a Downtown
Fixture for Almost 78 Years
By Lou Hunsinger Jr.

"A Ribbon of Concrete thru the American Beautyland — thru Charming Valleys, Inspiring Hills and Majestic Mountains — the road of Never-Ending Delight."

Those words appeared on a tourist publication in 1929 to describe, not the Pacific Coast Highway or a trail along the Rocky Mountains, but Williamsport and the Susquehanna Trail.

Those descriptive words and travel information were part of a booklet local businessman, Bob Koch, discovered at a local antique shop.

Produced by the Chamber of Commerce, which at the time was located on the ground floor of the Lycoming Hotel, the booklet is a printed time capsule of the city’s attraction to the fledgling automobile traveling tourist.

"What’s interesting in the book are the directions to places to and from Williamsport," Koch to Webb Weekly. "Since there wasn’t the major highways we have today, people traveling had to follow often complicated routes that took extra time."

A recently discovered booklet offers a vivid look back into the Williamsport area in 1929. (Photo by Jeff Federowicz)

Within its pages are numerous black and white photographs used to lure travels to the area for a pit stop or an extended visit.

The photos also represent a time in Williamsport’s history that few people today can remember.

The era was a time when busy hotels, long since closed, provided services for the weary travelers. Places such as the Annex, which was located at Fourth and Pine streets, featured 100 rooms, with rates starting at $1 a night and boasted both hot and cold water in each room.

Other hotels that have changed or disappeared into the past include the 50-room Wenner Hotel on Fourth Street and the 50-room New City Hotel that called Pine Street home.

The Park Hotel, now Park Place, featured four floors and offered refined service in a park like setting, while the Lycoming Hotel, now the now the Genetti, featured a dining room, cafeteria and 200 rooms with rates ranging from $3 to $6 a night.

For the traveler with limited funds, and an adventurous spirit, free lodging could be found at the tourist camp located at Memorial Park. The camp boasted the use of a kitchen, electric and stove.

The city was a popular stop over for motorist on the Susquehanna Trail on their way to our from New York State, earning Williamsport the distinction as being the half way point between Buffalo and Washington.

Since the Beltway was not yet constructed, travelers heading north needed to weave their way through town to High Street before heading north out of town.

Of course while many travelers passed through the area, many stayed for a while, exploring the cities history, diners and abundance of outdoor activities. Of course as the years moved on a new group of tourist would descend upon the area for the Little League games each summer.

With three major highways passing through or near the city, Williamsport continues to be a stop for travelers to spend the night, do business or explore the area and all that it has to offer.

Before Mayor Gabriel Campana revived the Community Sing at Brandon Park two years ago, this longtime Williamsport cultural institution was primarily associated with one man — Mayor Leo C. Williamson, who nurtured and promoted it and made it part of Williamsport’s summer time cultural landscape.

Williamson was one of the most colorful politicians this area has ever produced and served longer as Mayor of Williamsport than any other mayor — 12 years.

Williamson was born in 1899, he worked at various jobs as a young man, including driving a bread truck. He eventually worked his way up as sales manager for the bakery.

In 1932 he opened a combination restaurant, bakery and delicatessen called "Leo’s." It was a popular gathering place in downtown Williamsport.

Williamson earned the reputation as a jovial, easygoing raconteur who enjoyed people of all types and classes. And he loved to sing.

He first started singing publicly as a member of the Newberry Methodist Church choir in 1918. He and three high school friends formed the Keystone Male Quartet, which sang for conventions and banquets for more than 30 years, even as Williamson served as mayor.

Williamson’s popularity with people of all walks of life prompted local Republican Party officials to ask Leo to run for mayor in 1939.

After he was elected mayor, Williamson sold his restaurant so that he could spend more time performing his mayoral duties.

In his first inaugural address in 1940 he outlined his view of what made the city grow.

"Williamsport is what it is because it has been fortunate in its citizenry," he said. 　"No problem has been too big for them to tackle, no solution too difficult for their powers.

"Our history is rich in the names of community builders, many of whom held or sought political position. As private citizens they demonstrated the utmost in community spirit."

Williamson is perhaps best remembered for not a building project or tangible accomplishment but for the "Community Sings" and "Kiddies Sings," he initiated at the Brandon Park Bandshell.

Williamson’s first Community Sing was held on the night or August 22, 1940. He started it as a way to highlight local talent and to bring free, wholesome entertainment to area residents.

The following year he started a "Kiddies’ Sing" that helped to encourage a younger generation of singers and musicians.

These "sings" were one of his proudest accomplishments for they wedded two of Williamson’s main passions — music and civic pride.

He thought his popularity as mayor might translate itself into a wider arena, so he ran for Congress in 1946. Unfortunately, he did not have the backing of local Republican power brokers and was trounced in the primary by a party-endorsed candidate.

While mayor, he helped create the Williamsport Water Authority as well as the Williamsport Airport Authority.

He led the city through the difficult years of World War II and he did his utmost to get its citizens wholeheartedly behind the nation’s war effort. He used his promotional talents to lead rubber, scrap and paper during the war as well as war bond drives.

It was one of his greatest pleasures as mayor to throw out the first ball at the beginning of each Williamsport Grays baseball season and was one of Little League Baseball’s earliest and most ardent champions.

In one of the greatest upsets in Williamsport’s political history he was defeated in his bid for a fourth term as mayor in 1951 Republican primary by Clifford Harman.

After leaving the mayor’s office he worked in public relations for the Lycoming Division of AVCO. He remained active in local Republican politics.

He was also an active member of various civic boards such as the James V. Brown Library and the Community Trade Association.

Leo Williamson died on August 13, 1957. His death was widely mourned.

The Sun-Gazette eulogized him, writing in part, "As most friends count their friends in the fives and 10s, Leo counted his in the scores and hundreds. Widely known beyond Williamsport, he was a goodwill ambassador for the city wherever he went."

GRIT wrote, "To many people Leo represented Williamsport itself. He gave of himself to make our city a better, friendlier and happier place. As mayor he exerted progressive leadership and his tenure was marked by many improvements and innovations. He made you feel good to be with him. Our town will not be the same without him."

A play that has been described by one theater critic as "Steel Magnolias Meets the Golden Girls," will be presented when the Community Theater League stages "The Cemetery Club" March 5 and 6 and 11 to 14.

The plot of "The Cemetery Club" consists of three widows meet once a month for tea before going to their husbands’ graves. Ida is sweet tempered and ready to begin a new life. Lucille is feisty and the embodiment of the girl who just wants to have fun, and Doris is priggish and judgemental, particularly, when Sam the butcher enters the scene while visiting his wife’s grave. Doris and Lucille are guilt stricken when they squash the budding romance between him and their friend Ida.\

The local production is directed under the experienced hand of Jason Moyer, who has both acted and directed a good number of CTL’s previous offerings including, "Heartbreak House," "Leading Ladies" and "Jekyll and Hyde." "The Ccmetery Club" is also anchored by a strong, veteran cast.

Sandie Fairman, who plays "Lucille" appeared previously as Blanche DuBois in "Streetcar Named Desire" and Maria in "The Sound of Music."

Susan Guinter plays Ida. She has appeared previously in the "Dix Tableaux," and "Pigmalion," a rural send up of Shaw’s classic, "Pygmalion."

Cheryl Appleton, who plays Mildred, has acted in two previous CTL plays. Bill Boatman, the sole male cast member, who plays Sam the butcher, has extensive acting experience at the Laporte Little Theater in neighboring Sullivan County.

Moyer believes that "The Cemetery Club" has something for everyone. It is a play that blends knee slapping comedy with thoughtful and touching　 pathos.

"I think that people will enjoy this play very much; It is a wonderful story of friendship and loss that has some great, snappy dialogue," Moyer said. "We have a wonderful cast that really carries off this play very well and it has been a real privilege to be able to direct such a fine cast."

"The Cemetery Club" runs on Friday, March 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m and Thursday March 11 through Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 14.

For ticket information contact the Community Theater League box office weekdays 11 a.m. to 4p.m. at 327-1777.