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It's safe to say Williamsport has been served by a daily newspaper longer than anyone alive reading these words.
Now, a book is being released that captures much of the city and local region's history as compiled through newsgathering over the years.
"A Community Keystone: The Official History of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette" by L. Lee Janssen, Sun-Gazette editor, offers up 448 pages of the past and present dating to 1801.
Included are more than 500 photos, drawings and images, including many not seen by today's generation.
"There is a lot of community and Williamsport history tied to the history of the Sun-Gazette and its predecessor papers. You get a sense of how the community developed over the years by reading about the activities of the early proprietors of the Lycoming Gazette and what they went on to do after selling the paper to the next owner," said Janssen. "You also get an understanding of how the newspaper and local journalism evolved over the past two centuries."
Among the list of proprietors, for instance, was one who went on to become governor, William F. Packer. Another, Peter Herdic, bought the paper as a political mouthpiece shortly after being elected mayor of Williamsport. Others included a chief justice of the state supreme court, a soldier who fell in the first battle of Bull Run, a friend and confidante of President James Buchanan, and the first secretary of war under President Abraham Lincoln.
Janssen, a former Sun-Gazette reporter, city editor and news editor, has spent much of the past two years compiling the volume and preparing it for publication.
"A lot of the resources for this book come from the early papers of the Sun-Gazette," she said, adding that the foundation for the book was laid in 1955 when Paul Gilmore, then editor of The Sun, wrote a 69-story series on "The History of Sun-Gazette Newspapers." The origins of the Sun-Gazette can be traced to 1801 through half a dozen papers, making it one of the oldest newspapers in the nation. In 1955, the consolidation of The Sun and the Gazette and Bulletin gave birth to the single publication of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
A set of page proofs with Gilmore's series was located in the Sun-Gazette's archives. After dissecting it and arranging his information in chronological order, Janssen tried to duplicate his pattern of research to develop the story moving forward from 1955 to present day, particularly to the point where living sources were able to provide interviews about more modern times.
Besides 37 chapters of written history, the book features multiple sections of community photographs dating to the start of local news photography in the late 1800s through the first part of this year.
Janssen, a city native who grew up reading the Sun-Gazette, said readers will be especially enthralled by the book's photos. Many local people may even find a photograph of themselves in the book.
Williamsport Sun-Gazette Publisher Bernard A. Oravec said the newspaper's readers have always been particularly fascinated by historical stories and photos.
"People enjoy reminiscing about the area," he said. "We thought it would be great to do an up-to-date story on the Sun-Gazette and share stories and pictures that haven't been seen for many years."
Photo books are always popular among people, especially ones that highlight the area of where they live, he added.
Longtime employees such as Connie Tobias and Linda Neupauer are particularly excited about the book.
Tobias, Sun-Gazette human resources director, noted that the newspaper can be traced back to the time of Thomas Jefferson, the nation's third president.
"The newspaper has been here longer than the incorporation of the city of Williamsport," she said.
Both Tobias and Neupauer, who serves as classified advertising manager, have seen the many changes at the newspaper just in the past 40 to 50 years.
Neupauer, for example, worked at the Sun-Gazette before many operations became computerized.
The book puts the newspaper's history in perspective, she said.
"I can't wait to see it," Neupauer said.
"It's great to be part of the legacy," said David F. Troisi, opinion page editor and former editor. "It's been a professional joy to do the book."
Oravec noted the book will be ready for sale in early July. By preordering before June 25, purchasers will receive a $10 discount. Preorders are only $29.95 plus state sales tax. After that, the retail cover price will return to $39.95.
Book order forms will appear in the Sun-Gazette with about 500 copies of the volume being made available.
"I am excited about it," Janssen said. "I can't wait to share it with the community."