History is ingrained in the culture of Williamsport. The town lies on one of the early Indian trails between New York and the Carolinas. In the mid-1700s, tens of thousands of European settlers and pioneer families with their wagons followed the same route on the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania to Virginia and points south and west. In 1744, a ferry was established at the present site of Williamsport to carry the traffic across the Potomac River. Today’s travelers make the crossing on Interstate 81 a mile downriver from the town.

Williamsport has been a careful steward of its historical heritage, and the National Park Service contributes with maintenance of the local section of the C&O Canal National Park. Preservation and restoration projects are always in evidence. The manufacture of handmade and “antique” bricks under the 120-year-old Cushwa name is an integral part of Williamsport’s economy.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy Williamsport’s pleasant restaurants, shops, and recreation facilities. Walking or biking along the C&O Canal’s towpath and boating on the Potomac River are popular activities of residents and visitors alike.