by Jeff Woleslagle
When traveling in and around Williamsport have you ever wondered why the high school adopted the “Millionaires” moniker? The origin can be traced to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when Williamsport was booming and came to be known as the lumber capital of the world. During this period, the city had more millionaires per capita than other locations in the United States. Williamsport Area High School adopted the “Millionaires” mascot as a tribute to the city’s rich history and economic prominence during this time of incredible growth.
The boom was largely fueled by the construction of the Susquehanna log boom, a massive structure in the Susquehanna River that trapped and sorted logs for local sawmills. At its peak, the boom could hold up to a million logs, and the city’s mills processed vast quantities of timber, leading to immense wealth for some and a thriving local economy.
Photo by T.T. Hart, Wikimedia Commons.
The Susquehanna log boom was a system of cribs and chained logs in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, designed to catch and hold floating timber until it could be processed at one of the nearly 60 sawmills along the river between Lycoming and Loyalsock Creeks in Lycoming County. The Susquehanna Boom was originally built under the supervision of James H. Perkins, and operated from 1851 to 1909, when it shut down for lack of timber.
Of course, Williamsport is also known nationally for hosting the Little League World Series, which contributes to the area’s deep-rooted connection to baseball and youth sports. The culture of athletics and civic pride reinforces the significance of the Millionaire identity.
In essence, the Williamsport Millionaires name connects generations of students and residents to a time of great prosperity, while continuing to inspire community spirit and excellence in the present day. It also reinforces the area’s connection to the surrounding forests and their resources.
