Welcome to the section of this site that lets you quickly and easily browse Montoursville history.  Conveniently explore history by date with our graphical timeline.  How does it work?  Simply click on one of the featured eras surrounding this message, and more dates and information about the era will appear in place of this paragraph.  You can even click on links to pictures that pertain to the period (a pop-up window will open).  Enjoy!

CIRCA 1800: The Founding

1768 - Andrew Montour accepts grant with land on both sides of the Loyalsock that includes Montoursville: a cost of $193.60
1769 - Early Montoursville residents begin settling along Loyalsock
1775 - Andrew Montour dies prior to this year
1777 - The Great Runaway of this year targets farms along waterways 1850 - Borough of Montoursville set apart from Fairfield Twp.

  Historic View of Broad Street

19th CENTURY: Early Life

1807 - First permanent settler in Borough was John Else
1812 - First bridge across Loyalsock built by John Else
1815 - First house built in Montoursville by John Else for Thomas Wallis
1820 - John Burrows begins laying out Borough & sells lots for $50/ea.
1829 - Gov. Shulze moves into home in Borough (renovated in 1840)
1831 - Post office opened & named in Borough
1833 - Thomas Lloyd, another founder, builds first all brick home
1837 - John Burrows, founder of Montoursville, dies at age 77
1847 - First paper mill owned & operated by Starr family

  Home of John Else
  Home of Governor Shulze
  Home of Thomas Lloyd
  Early Bridges across Loyalsock

19th CENTURY: The Lumber Era

1800s - Williamsport and Montoursville areas become known for logging
1886 - Logging business dry & business reaches depression levels
1905 - Last raft floats down Loyalsock

LATE 1800s: Borough Waterworks

1891 - Borough Council meets & decides on Borough-run water facility
1893 - Construction completed on Borough waterworks
1893 - Willing Hand Hose Co. established
1895 - Proposition to build sewer facilities (not realized until 1990s)
1899 - Borough Building Constructed (used 100 years)
1918 - Fire Company uses motorized fire truck
1950s - Development of new water lines reaches peak

  Historic Borough Building
  Present-day Fire Station

1800s-PRESENT: Indian Park & Recreation

1894 - Indian Park expands with passing of Electric Light Ordinance
1910 - Peak of Indian Park, with trolley & many attractions
1923 - Hazel builds house on Mill Creek because of fishing attraction
1924 - Trolley ceases operations & Indian Park witnesses demise
1936 - Flood destroys Cannon Hole Golf Club
1940s-1950s - Swimming popular at beach south of the Broad St Bridge
1988 - Indian Park reestablished as a recreational facility

  Historic Park Theatre at Indian Park
  Historic Roller Coaster at Indian Park
  Historic Train at Indian Park
  Present-day John Burrows Bridge at Indian Park
  Present-day Indian Park
  John Hazel

20th CENTURY: Schooling

1816 - First school constructed in Montoursville near present H.S.
1868 - First high school constructed at Jordan & Montour
1894 - First class graduates from Montoursville High School
1907 - Montour Street School constructed
1931 - Present High School constructed
1950, 1957, 1965, 1974, Recent - Expansion & remodel dates for H.S.
1960 - Loyalsock Valley Elementary Constructed
1971 - Present Middle School constructed

  Historic High School
  Present-day High School
  Present-day Loyalsock Valley
  Montour & Jordan School

1900s-PRESENT: Transportation

1924 - Trolley services ceases to Montoursville in place of bus service
1928 - Williamsport Regional Airport opened
1931 - Present-day “Green Bridge” completed
1970s - Interstate 180 beltway bypasses Montoursville
1970s - Terminal for the Catawissa rail line demolished (presently part of Conrail)

  Historic Trolley
  Historic Williamsport Regional Airport
  Present-day Airport
  Present-day “Green Bridge”