Welcome! News of Yesteryear & Historic Williamsport is dedicated to educating and entertaining visitors of all ages with stories and illustrations of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding towns.
Throughout the years, many interesting stories about the people and places of Williamsport and Northcentral Pennsylvania have been published. News of Yesteryear features articles and artwork by recent and historic newspaper reporters and photographers spanning the 200-year history of journalism in Lycoming County. Some of the notable newspapers with origins in Williamsport are the Lycoming Gazette, the Gazette and Bulletin, the Williamsport Sun, and Grit. All of these newspapers have evolved into one, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
Many are reprinted here, with permission from the Lycoming County Historical Society, the James V. Brown Library, Little League Baseball, Inc., the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, and various individuals. We hope you enjoy your visit.

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Ireland: Land of the People that Sorrow
When planning a trip to Ireland, don't forget destinations that honor the torn country's history. Why "torn country," you ask? Ireland is a country that's been struggling with its identity – one separate from Great Britain – for more than a century.
Dave Bellomo’s Passion for Kettlebells
Dave Bellomo is a fitness expert, personal trainer, and author of two fitness manuals on Kettlebells. I met Dave when he worked as a personal trainer and worked with Dave after he opened his own gym, Maximum Fitness, and his manufacturing company, Cardiobells Incorporated, which he owned and operated for eight years.
Joseph Smith’s Cure for Hipocrisy
Joseph W. Smith is a teacher, speaker, film critic, journalist and author living in Northcentral Pennsylvania, with his wife. The son of a professional journalist, Joe wrote his first book when he was 12, "... an ambitious and profusely illustrated sci-fi opus called Project Jupiter." Then, 37 years later, he wrote "The Psycho File.”
Lost Coal with Lorena Beniquez
Lorena Beniquez, a writer, photographer and a filmmaker, and the author of a new book, Lost Coal Country of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Published by Arcadia, the book is part of the Images of Modern America series, so it’s part history, part photographic art, and part travel guide.
Writing for Sanity with Mike Reuther
Mike Reuther is a journalist by profession, but he never stops writing. Most mornings, before he heads to work at the daily newspaper, where he reports on government, politics, health care, crime, sports and general news, Mike works on his novels and self-help books. A non-nonsense and prolific writer, he's written 18 books.
Beyond the Wall with Alivia Tagliaferri
Alivia Tagliaferri is an author, publisher, producer and documentary filmmaker, discussing her book, Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home. Alivia operates Ironcutter Creative, a multimedia company that creates story-centric videos that are compelling, engaging and visually outstanding. She specializes in high-quality docu-style videos for television and theater broadcast, social media.
One More Day with Tonya Anderson
Tonya Anderson is a mindfulness counselor, inspirational speaker and the founder of An Exquisite Life. She helps people using mindfulness and sacred therapies to resolve stress/trauma in their lives, and frees them to live a life with renewed joy, love and passion for life. Tonya’s expertise is drawn from her life experience, clinical mental health counseling education and spiritual teachings.
Life Changes with Diane Langley
Diane Langley is the author of "Life Changes..." a small book with enormous wisdom. Diane has been the principal of Langley Communications Corporation since 1995. She educates individuals, groups and companies on communication and transition challenges through reflective, interactive engagement. This includes more sensitive work with those experiencing loss and trauma.
#TBT: Mother Instinct Outweighs Appetite
Odd, Strange and Curious: A #TBT from Grit: America's Greatest Family Newspaper, brought to you by Hands on Heritage. Mother Instinct Outweighs Appetite June 6, 1946
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, PA, is a haul up to the top of a mountain, but it's worth it!
Little Buffalo State Park
Our first introduction to Little Buffalo was the Blue Balls Tavern across the street. Wonder how many photos have been taken of that sign?
Little Pine State Park
Our first outing for the 2012 camping season was Little Pine State Park in Pennsylvania.
The Brady Legend
Conflict between American Indians and white people escalated during the last two decades of the 18th century. War -- both declared and undeclared -- made for "dark and gloomy days," according to historian John F. Meginness in his 1,268-page tome, "History of Lycoming County" (1892).
Historical Mix-Up
Richard and Miriam Mix, experts on regional history as well as America's past, authored a book, “A Bicentennial Postcard History of Williamsport,” which contains colorful postcards and illustrations of pre-World War I Williamsport and the region, and was published by the Lycoming County Genealogical Society just in time for the City of Williamsport's bicentennial in 2006.
West Branch Canal
The transportation of goods, services and people was a rough and inefficient undertaking in the Susquehanna Valley in the early 1800s. This would change with the advent of the West Branch Canal in the 1830s. Colonial and later state officials envisioned the idea of canals as far back as the mid-18th century.
Sum of Its Parts
In addition to Williamsport, Lycoming County consists of a number of important municipalities. A brief history of each, accompanied by historical photos, follows in the first of two parts. The second installment will be published May 22.
Williamsport Begins
American history is filled with rags-to-riches stories of great achievers and great personages, and local history is no exception. Michael Ross, the reputed founder of the City of Williamsport, is one of those stories.
Tumultuous Years Leading up to the French and Indian War
During the tumultuous years leading up to the French and Indian War, early settlers in Northcentral Pennsylvania had two choices: They could leave the fertile valleys of the Susquehanna, or take their chances with sporadic AmericanIndian raids during which farms were destroyed and entire families would be slaughtered.
Saying ‘Yes’ When You Mean ‘No’
We do it all the time. We say "yes" to people when we really mean to say "no." For some reason, most of us think we should put other people's wants and needs first; that our wants and needs are secondary.
Militia Quells the 1833 Canal Riot
The times of the West Branch Canal from the 1830s to approximately the 1880s contain many interesting and colorful events. One of the most colorful was the "Canal Riot of 1833."