POTT'S SHORTHAND COLLEGE
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| Pott’s Shorthand College Catalog |
Pott's Shorthand College was one of several business schools in Williamsport according to John Meginness's History of Lycoming County (Meginness, 1892). The college was founded by Charles R. Pott. Pott was born in Williamsport in 1866 and graduated from Williamsport High School. He established the school in 1888. According to Meginness, Pott "learned stenography by studying at night and worked for several firms and also in the United States court." Pott's college graduated a great number of students who became stenographers and typewriters (the word for typists at the time). He died when he was only 26.
Pott's school continued under several different owners and went by various names throughout the years—Pott's Shorthand College and Pott's Business College, among others. The location of the school changed several times as it grew. Two of the college catalogs are part of the Lycoming County Women's History Project---the catalog of 1888 and another catalog for the "correspondence course."
The catalogs are interesting; they describe the course work required and include testimonials from employers and former students. The lists of graduates—women and men—and where they were working give us a glimpse into the choices for employment opportunities for women (and men) at the time. One of the questions addressed in the catalog is, "Do Ladies Attend?" and the answer is in the affirmative.
Other business or commercial schools in Williamsport about the same time included Bacheldor's Business College and the Williamsport School of Shorthand.
Want to more more about Pott's Business College? Type "Potts" in the search box below to find source material in the Lycoming County Women's History database.
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