New historic marker in Hughesville celebrates the Williamsport & North Department Railroad. Be taught the way it formed the world and why its historical past is important right this moment.
Hughesville Honors Its Railroad Roots
When Lewis Peterman talks in regards to the Williamsport & North Department Railroad, you may inform it’s near his coronary heart. For Peterman, who’s on the board of the East Lycoming Historic Society, it’s all about household. His great-granddad Harry was a station agent in Sonestown, and his great-uncle Philip held the identical job in Nordmont.
I loved celebrating the Williamsport & North Department Railroad in Hughesville with Mayor Richard Smith and the East Lycoming Historic Society. This marker acknowledges the significance of the railroad from 1864-1938 and the event of jap Lycoming County and Sullivan County pic.twitter.com/iWA2PI6mTq
— Joe Hamm 🇺🇸 (@josephdhamm) October 2, 2023
Marker Reveals Railroad’s Historic Significance to Hughesville
Lately, the individuals of Hughesville gathered for a particular purpose. A brand new historic marker was proven to the general public, and it stands the place the previous railroad as soon as was. Peterman led the ceremony, explaining simply how a lot the railroad meant to Hughesville again within the day.
“Again in 1864, this space was filled with untouched woods,” Peterman shared. “The railroad was the one strategy to ship timber and different items, particularly since we’re speaking a couple of area that’s all mountains and valleys.”
The gathering came about on right this moment’s hearth division grounds, proper on the nook of West Academy and South Railroad streets. Mayor Rick Smith and council member McKenna Lengthy helped reduce the ribbon, marking the spot for everybody to see and bear in mind.
From the Railroad to On a regular basis Lives
Image this—100 years in the past, this actual spot was bustling with exercise. “There was a railroad station right here, a freight home over there. And should you look fastidiously to the proper, you’ll see concrete within the floor. That was the engine store,” Peterman stated.
When the railroad shut down in 1938, its predominant proprietor gifted the land to start out Hughesville’s Hearth Division.
Invoice Foresman, one other board member, spoke about his mother’s previous tales. “She’d say they took a horse and buggy to Halls Station, hopped on the practice, and went all the way in which to Williamsport simply to buy college garments,” he shared. “It was an all-day occasion again then.”
Holding the Previous Alive for Future Generations
On the ceremony, State Rep. Joe Hamm pressured how essential it’s to show our children in regards to the previous. “We will’t know the place we’re going if we don’t know the place we’ve come from,” he stated.
Peterman agreed, declaring that this was the principle purpose behind the marker. “We would like younger people to learn about this railroad, as a result of not many do,” he added.
So, what’s subsequent? The East Lycoming Historic Society is organizing a particular speak in regards to the railroad. It’s taking place on October 19 on the Hughesville Library. The group additionally runs a museum that’s open three days per week. Why not drop by and uncover extra about your native historical past?
