L.L. Stearns & Sons History
In 1850 Laten Legg Stearns, a farmer from Massachusetts, came to Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, and opened his first store - L.L. Stearns. Shortly after the Civil War, he moved his merchandise by raft down the Susquehanna River to Williamsport, establishing a general store on Market Street. In 1883 the store name became L.L. Stearns & Sons when he admitted his three sons as partners. L.L. Stearns & Sons developed into a department store when, in 1889, it moved to this location at Pine, West Third and Laurel Streets. Here it was the center of Williamsport's shopping district for 95 years. Through five generations of Stearn's [sic] family ownership, L.L. Stearns & Sons became the largest and oldest family owned and operated department store in the United States.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
Location. 41° 14.433′ N, 77° 0.208′ W. Marker is in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in Lycoming County. Marker is in the Trade & Transit Centre's L.L. Stearns & Sons Plaza, with public transit
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trade & Transit Centre Site History (a few steps from this marker); Downtown on the Move (a few steps from this marker); Larry Kelley (within shouting distance of this marker); Jack Losch (within shouting distance of this marker); Gary Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Architectural Artifacts (within shouting distance of this marker); Sal 'Tank' Rosato (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph M. McDade (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsport.
Also see . . .
1. Stearns Family - LATEN LEGG STEARNS Biography. (Submitted on July 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. 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 1,165 times since then and 249 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 22, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
