Williamsport A Town on the Edge of History - Williamsport MD
Posted by: 
Don.Morfe
N 39° 36.057 W 077° 49.641
18S E 257240 N 4387287
William’s Port lay on the edge of the Maryland frontier in 1787 when founded by Revolutionary War hero General Otho Holland Williams. In 1832, Williamsport changed as the C&O Canal reached the town.
Waymark Code: WM16GYE
Location: Maryland, United States
Date Posted: 07/31/2022
Views: 1
TEXT on the historical marker:
Williamsport-A Town on the Edge of History
— Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park —
William’s Port lay on the edge of the Maryland frontier in 1787 when founded by Revolutionary War hero General Otho Holland Williams. In 1790 this river town nearly became capital of the United States when President George Washington personally visited Williamsport before selecting the current site of Washington, DC, 100 miles east.
In 1832, Williamsport changed as the C&O Canal reached the town. This town became a major place of transfer for goods transported by canal boats. In 1863, Confederate troops advanced and retreated through Williamsport during the Gettysburg Campaign. Here the Civil War could have ended when the flooded Potomac River trapped General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia.
Today, Williamsport is again on the edge of change. Connecting to its canal heritage with more canal structures than any other town along the canal, town leaders are revitalizing the town center to serve canal hikers and bikers. Welcome to Williamsport and experience this classic canal town!
Group that erected the marker: National Park Service
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
205 West Potomac St.
Williamsport, MD United States
21795
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Visit Instructions:
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