Trade & Transit Centre Site History
Once a wheat field and popular slope for sledding, this site has long been central to the economic growth of the City of Williamsport. The portion of the L.L. Stearns & Sons department store that occupied the corner of Pine and Third Streets was originally a large, private residence built by J. Cowden. This house was purchased by the West Branch Bank in 1850, which in 1860 raised the height of the building from two and a half stories to four stories. The building was then converted into the Parker Hotel, which in 1866 became the City Hotel. L.L. Stearns & Sons purchased the City Hotel in 1888, and a small addition was constructed along Third Street in 1904. In 1925, the department store expanded again with the purchased [sic] of the West Branch National Bank building, which had been constructed in 1850 at the same time the Bank bought the J. Cowden residence. Later, an L-shaped property further along Third Street was purchased and an addition was constructed. The picture at right shows the front of the buildings facing Pine Street until 1965, when a new store front was installed.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 41° 14.437′ N, 77° 0.201′
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. L.L. Stearns & Sons History (a few steps from this marker); Downtown on the Move (a few steps from this marker); Architectural Artifacts (within shouting distance of this marker); Larry Kelley (within shouting distance of this marker); Transportation Tribute (within shouting distance of this marker); Jack Losch (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Sal 'Tank' Rosato (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsport.
Also see . . . L.L. Stearns & Sons Postcard. (Submitted on July 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
