A Haunted Happening In My Erie Childhood

Old Time Erie: photo illustration by Debbi Lyon.

Ghostbusters! A Haunted Happening in my Erie Childhood

by Lita T.

Founded in 1896, St. Peter’s Cathedral Center is the oldest Catholic elementary school in Erie, PA.  My grandmother went to school there, and in 1984, I attended first grade (1B).  Music class was in the basement under the old school. Our music teacher was fresh out of college, a young handsome man that just about every girl had a teacher crush on. While the girls were more than willing to participate in class and sing, the boys often rolled their eyes and often were not interested. The music teacher even had a musical name “Mr. Martone.”  He wanted us to learn about Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven—but even with his charming personality, he couldn’t motivate us to learn the old masters.

As a good teacher, he needed to find something to stimulate us—some positive reinforcement or reward to deliver after 100% class participation. He discovered that the only thing we loved every week was to sing Ghostbusters with his piano accompaniment. If we were good in class and learned our Mozart, he pulled out his Ghostbusters sheet music.  When Mr. Martone tickled the ivory with those chords, excitement radiated through us all!

We looked forward to Ghostbusters on the keys every week.  He would play it for us at the end of class, and the more often he played it, the more boisterous we became.  Our singing of Ghostbusters reverberated through the old school disrupting classes many floors above.  Other teachers started to complain, and he was forced to close the door to try to contain the sound.  But then strange things started to happen.

As soon as he had sat down on the piano after closing the door, the door would open.  At first we thought drafts caused this, but Mr. Martone, growing increasingly frustrated, closed the door tightly so that it was properly shut and would not open from a draft.  When he arrived back at his piano and started playing, the door would open again. Then we suspected that it was a student playing a prank on us. But he checked over and over again, and no student was there.  When he would ignore the opening door, the door would slam shut.  This happening went on for several weeks.

One day while we sang Ghostbusters, the door became very active again—opening and closing, again and again and again. This repetition was unusual because air drafts could not have produced such frequent swinging and slamming. I remember feeling a strange chilly breeze swirling around the classroom and yet neither the curtains nor a strand of hair moved.  The lights flickered a bit. Even with all this strange activity, we would not stop belting out our favorite song.  He continued playing even as he noticed something was happening.  Finally we came to the chanting part of the chorus, “I ain’t afraid of no ghost,” that continued to build up louder and louder.  The piano keys quickened the tempo, the door was spastically going, and our chanting reached the breaking point: “I AIN’T AFRAID OF NO GHOST!!!!”

At that moment, the fluorescent light fixture above us exploded and fell to the ground.  All the lights in the room shut off.  Silence in the dark.  We looked at Mr. Martone who gave us a face of shock.  Luckily no one was hurt. Then one by one we started giggling and said, “Oh that was so cool!” 

Strangely enough, after that day the door stayed put and the lights—after repair—were under control.  Everything was at peace. Nothing like that ever happened again to my knowledge—especially since three or four years later the music room in the basement became the boys bathroom.

About twenty-years later, I visited Mr. Martone at [the] school where he now teaches.  As soon as he saw me, he said, “Guess what I recently found?” From his bookshelf, he pulled out the tattered Ghostbusters sheet music which we had used to summon the spirit of St. Peter’s so many years earlier.  He sat at the piano and played it just for me. Though he was a bit rusty at the tune, I warmly approved of the performance.  It was sweet that we both remembered those old school days.

Enjoy more tales about Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

East High School Circa 1969

Old Time Erie: East High School Class of '69.

East High School was dedicated on November 3, 1921. It was designed by architect William Butts Ittner (who designed a number of buildings in his hometown of St. Louis, MO) and was built by Sutherland Building and Contracting Company. The final cost of the project was $1,420,000. The school was located on Atkins and Brandes Street in Erie, PA.

Here is a brief history of East High School as it appeared in the 1969 Sunrise yearbook:
"Fifty years ago the laying of a cornerstone signaled the beginning of a new educational era on the east side of Erie. East High School opened its doors for the first time to students.

Since 1919, many changes have occurred. Fifty years ago the enrollment of East High was approximately 1000 students in four grades. We have nearly doubled that number in 1969. A graduate returning to East High School in the spring would be pleased to see the trees and shrubs in bloom. He would also notice the physical changes in the building itself because of additional classrooms, new heating, fire enclosures, and new furnishings.

New courses have also been added to the curriculum with the passage of years. Some of them are: honors and advanced placement history, English, biology and mathematics. Vocational courses in business, merchandising and home economics have been reintroduced. The courses of study have kept pace with new ideas in science.

Seven principals have guided East High throughout these fifty years. They are: John Watson Ray, Mr. C. W. McNary, E. Edwin Coon, Harold D. Leberman, Edward R. Abramoski, Henry M. Narducci and our present principal, Miss Viola E. Andrews."

Miss Andrews was principal of East High from 1968 to 1982. She was followed by John Danowski (1982-88 and 1989-93), Rupert Stadtmiller and Helen Jackson.The school colors are scarlet and gray.

The original East High School, shown in the photo above, was demolished. Governor Tom Ridge and Al Roker (from NBC's Today Show) helped dedicate the new East High School in February of 1999. 
Go Warriors!

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

General Electric Erie Locomotive Plant Philosophy

General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania held an open house on June 12, 1960 to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. Visitors to the plant at 2901 East Lake Road received a 24-page booklet which told the history of the Erie plant. What follows are excerpts from the document entitled Welcome Visitor.

"We at General Electric's Erie Plant are pleased to have you as our guest. As a consumer, you're probably already familiar with GE television sets, radios, appliances, and light bulbs. But General Electric at Erie also means locomotives and generators, ferrous and non-ferrous castings- products that are basic to transportation, industry and defense all over the world. 

The headquarters of the Company's Motor and Generator Division is at the Erie Plant. The Direct Current Motor and Generator Department, Locomotive and Car Equipment Department, and Erie Relations and Utilities Operation are assigned to the Motor and Generator Division. Two other GE operations at the Erie Plant are the Erie Foundries and Erie Reconditioning Shop...

We hope that we have given you a better idea of what we do at General Electric's Erie Plant- the products we make, and the philosophy we try to live by. In the interest of all of our five 'Partners in Progress,' we try:

To give EMPLOYEES a good job at a fair wage under capable and trained supervision- in return for their attendance, skill, care and effort.

To give CUSTOMERS a good product at a fair price- in return for their business and loyalty.

To give LOCAL SUPPLIERS all the business we can- in return for quality products and skilled services.

To give SHAREOWNERS an equitable return on their money- in return for their investment in the Company.

To give you, our COMMUNITY NEIGHBORS, our full cooperation as a corporate citizen- in return for your continuing efforts to keep the Erie area a good place in which to work and live."

Note: GE made howitzers for the Army during World War II. Read about the 75mm weapons here:  GE Howitzers

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

Go Ahead, Make My Day

Every now and then I run across an interesting snippet of Erie history. Here's one that started with a bang:

"While patrolling his beat early this morning, Officer George Warfel heard a shot ring out. He was directly opposite the Wilcox House at the time and distinctly heard the shot come from that place. Rapping on the sidewalk for help help he rushed into the house, where he found one of the night watchmen holding a .32 calibre revolver in one hand while brushing bits of broken glass off a dresser.

Upon investigation Warfel found that the gun was the property of Detective Caldwell, who is employed by Reed Manufacturing Company to protest non-union men employed at that shop. Caldwell had left the gun on a table when he retired for the night. The night watchman, being inquisitive, picked up the gun, pointed it toward a large mirror and pulled the trigger. The bullet plowed its way through glass and wood, making a clean hole.

Caldwell, in speaking of the affair said: 'I was never so scared in all my life.' Then with an air of bravado, he pulled out a drawer of the table and exhibited two .38's. 'If he got hold of this artillery,' said the detective, 'there would have been some damage.' Alongside the artillery was a quart bottle of whiskey almost half full.

Before leaving the place Officer Warfel ordered the detective to unload all three guns and put them safely away from the hands of boarders. One scare seemed to be enough for Mr. Caldwell as he was hasty in obeying the orders of the bluecoat." -Erie Sunday Herald, September 7, 1913.

There was a lot of labor unrest in Erie, Pennsylvania at the time. Iron workers had been on strike for ten months. The Reed Manufacturing Co. building at 1425 West 8th Street still stands. It is near the intersection of West 8th and the Bayfront Highway, kitty-corner from Frontier Park.

George D. Warfel, who was born in 1880, lived at 523 East 4th St. in Erie, PA with his wife and children. He died in 1930 and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Millcreek Twp.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

GE Made Howitzers in Erie During WWII

General Electric made howitzers in Erie during World War II and chances are that someone in your family played a part in the wartime effort. Employment at the Erie Works of General Electric jumped from 5,675 people in 1940 to 9,544 persons during World War II. Between 1946 and 1951, employment averaged 15,031 workers per year.

Back to the howitzers. I remember hearing people talk about this, and I finally found proof in a GE pamphlet published in August of 1941. The text is as follows:

"On machines previously used for making electric motors for street cards and locomotives, skilled machinists at the General Electric Erie Plant are producing the latest 75-millimeter pack howitzers for the United States Army.

The size of the howitzer- it is only 47 inches long- permitted boring operations to be performed on turret lathes already in the plant, and with few changes, other tools on hand were adapted for the work. As production was stepped up it was necessary to add some new machines; special rifling equipment had to be installed. But assembly-line production has been underway for some months, with the men who formerly made motors now making howitzers.

Maximum portability and striking power for its weight and complete interchangeability of parts are features of the pack howitzer. It was originally designed for mule transport, but the new type of howitzer is now towed on pneumatic tires by motorized troops. Some batteries have even been carried by airplane on maneuvers.

This weapon hurls a 15-pound shell nearly three inches in diameter more than five miles. One of its special features is its ability to drop its projectiles accurately behind hills, buildings or other obstructions. It can be quickly disassembled and reassembled with interchangeable parts.

All through production, parts must be made to exact measurements, as the howitzers must be assembled in the field with few or no tools. Parts must be definite fits, and enormous stresses must be withstood in firing, thus providing a continuous job for the Army inspectors. These men see the individual parts as they are finished; they inspect them after they have been given their final polish; they are present at the last tests before the guns are put in packing cases.

At the final tests the individual parts are assembled and reassembled at random to prove their interchangeability, and three rounds of primers in empty shell cases are then fired in each howitzer to check the breech mechanism. The guns are then ready to be shipped out for their mountings, recoil mechanisms and other parts not made in Erie."

This leads to the next question...were the howitzers tested on the shores of Lake Erie?

Note: Click here to read about the philosophy of the Erie Plant here: GE circa 1960

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Anheuser-Busch Eagle 12th and Myrtle

The Anheuser-Busch Eagle is perched atop the front door of the brick building on the southwest corner of 12th and Myrtle Street in Erie, PA. A. B. Knoll distributed the brand locally. Beer was shipped from St. Louis to Erie on refrigerated box cars, as shown in the illustration above, which was published in 1887. Check out the two-digit telephone number.

I tried to get a photo of the Eagle, but it didn't turn out as well as I had hoped, despite making several attempts to take a great shot while dodging cars and trucks as I stood in the middle of Twelfth Street. Gregador has a much better picture of the Eagle on his blog, and you can see it here: http://tmblr.co/Z3LhtxlNEvL-

Anthony B. Knoll was born in Erie around 1854 and died of pneumonia on April 18, 1934 in his daughter's home at 924 Peach St. According to his obituary in the Erie Daily Times, "Mr. Knoll retired from active business about twenty years ago, after being Erie's exclusive agent for a quarter of a century of the Anheuser-Busch products. Since that time he has lived a quiet life at his old home, 450 East 6th St., until taking up residence with his daughter a year ago."

The Perry Centennial Parade will pass by old A. B. Knoll building on May 25, 2013. 

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Child Labor Law in 1959

I found an interesting poster showing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Child Labor Law from July of 1959. If you were 14 or 15 years old in '59, you could work a maximum of 8 hours per day for a total of 44 hours per week. You could not work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., and you had to take a lunch break after working for five hours.

Youths aged 14 to 15 were prohibited from:
*Working on any boat engaged in the transportation of passengers or merchandise.
*Working in public bowling alleys.
*Doing heavy work in the building trades
*Working at any manufacturing or mechanical occupation or process.
*Operating a power driven meat grinder.
*Operating a motor vehicle of any description.
*Working upon any steam, electric or other railroad.
*Working on scaffolding.
*Stripping, assorting or manufacturing tobacco.
*Working in any tunnel.

This was just a small part of the prohibited occupations. You also had to have a General or Vacation Employment Certificate issued by School Authorities in order to work in PA.

Enjoy more interesting historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Erie Centennial Festivities Open

The Erie Centennial Festivities began with a bang on August 11, 1951, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Erie, PA. The celebration made the front page of the Erie Dispatch. Look closely at events that shaped the history of Erie, including the Wayne Blockhouse, the U.S. Brig Niagara, Presque Isle Lighthouse, the Custom House, the Erie Extension Canal, the Millcreek Flood, Vet's Hospital, the Erie Stadium (Veteran's Memorial Stadium) and a salute to veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict. 

Events were reported in the Erie Dispatch and WICU TV, shown in the center. 

I'm not sure why it's included here, but the Atomic Bomb is illustrated on the right. Any theories on this one?

Here's a souvenir from the Erie Centennial: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/05/erie-centennial-felt-hat.html

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Erie Foundry and Bucyrus-Erie Shovel

The West 12th Street corridor in Erie, PA was a force to be reckoned with during the age of steam power. Bucyrus-Erie was located on the northeast corner of 12th and Weschler. Look closely and you'll see a man in the cab of a Bucyrus Erie half-yard Drag Shovel on the left side of the photo. The Erie Foundry Company, at 1253 West 12th Street, is visible in the distance to the right of the cab. This photo was taken in 1929. Erie Foundry Co. was across the street from Bucyrus-Erie on the south side of Twelfth St.

Erie Foundry Co. was formed in 1895 and originally made iron castings. It purchased a steam hammer business from a Pittsburgh Company in 1903. Business picked up when the company began to concentrate on the production of steam hammers. John McDonald was the president and treasurer of Erie Foundry in 1929. D. A. Currie was vice-president and general manager and Donald McDonald was secretary.

"The Erie Foundry devotes its entire capacity and 180 employees to the making of steam hammers that are battering steel into forgings in every state in the union and every progressive, civilized country in the world. Its prominence and productivity has brought to the City of Erie a thriving trade that brought a wartime gross business peak of $8,500,000 in one year." -Erie Dispatch May 1949.

Erie Foundry Company changed its name to Erie Press Systems. They manufacture hydraulic and mechanical presses. 

I think the large building on the right has been demolished. There is a similar building with three arches one block east (on the opposite side of West 12th Street) that was once the home of Ball Engine Works.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Old Time Erie

Old Time Erie photo of the Brig Niagara by Debbi Lyon.

It seems like yesterday when Old Time Erie was hatched. Hard to believe a year has passed. Where did the time go? I had no idea how much that so many people loved Erie history. Thanks for sending compliments and suggesting story ideas. A big thanks to all the people who have made this possible! If you've ever contributed a picture or a postcard, give yourself a pat on the back. If you've been meaning to say hello or send something in, here's your chance.

Here's to the next chapter in the people's history of Erie, PA!

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, Pa at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Erie Centennial Felt Hat

One of the fun things about writing a blog about Erie history is helping people identify cool things that they find in their attics. I get some pretty interesting questions and pictures of Erie memorabilia via e-mail.

Question: "When I was a little girl, in the late 40s or probably the early 50s, there was a centennial celebration at which Mom & Dad bought me a hat. I am unable to find the year. Perhaps you can help me. It is black felt and sort of a Peter Pan style. There used to be a large feather on the side."

Answer: Well, Lynette, it looks like you have a souvenir from the Erie Centennial, a weeklong celebration that took place in Downtown Erie August 11-18, 1951. Erie had existed as a borough since the early 1800s. It became an incorporated city in 1851. In the old days, the city would throw a party at the drop of a hat- huge celebrations- complete with parades, marching bands, plays and pageants. Many of the events centered around Perry Square.

If you have an Erie item that could someday show up on Antique's Roadshow, take a picture and I'll research it. Send it by e-mail to: dlyontamer@gmail.com

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Musician Harry T. Burleigh Was Born in Erie

Harry T. Burleigh, an internationally known baritone vocalist and musical arranger, was born in Erie, PA on December 2, 1866. Unfortunately, his former home at 137 East 3rd Street was demolished to make space for a parking lot. The Harry T. Burleigh Street Marker was dedicated on May 16, 2013 in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at Erie City Hall.

According to the Erie Dispatch, Harry Burleigh graduated from Erie High School and moved to New York City to study music after borrowing $25 from Lewis Adams of the First Presbyterian Church. Burleigh won a scholarship from the National Conservatory of Music and later studied under composer Anton Dvorak. Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School in Erie is named in his honor. 

Burleigh was a very interesting man. He learned traditional African-American spirituals from his grandfather, a former slave, and later performed these songs throughout the world. The book "Hard Trials" by Anne Key Simpson chronicles the life of Harry T. Burleigh, who died in 1949, in great detail. Click here http://www.afrovoices.com/burleigh.html to learn more about Mr. Burleigh and hear a sample of his music. The Blasco Memorial Library in Erie has a CD called "Deep River: Songs and Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh."

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Pulakos Drive-In Grand Opening 1959

Remember back when you could pull up in your T-Bird and order chocolate from the comfort of your car? Pulakos opened the first store in the tri-state area with drive-in car service on May 4, 1959 at West 26th and Elmwood in Erie, PA.

The Pulakos brand goes back to the early 1900s. The business moved to 926 State Street during World War I, hence the name Pulakos 926 Candies. 

When this ad was published in the Erie Daily Times on opening day, Pulakos had four locations: 926 State St., 26th and Parade St., Buffalo Road in Wesleyville and 26th and Elmwood. 

Opening day specials included a free gold box chocolate sampler and a free half-pound of fudge with each purchase of a one-pound box of chocolate. The new store opened just in time for Mother's Day. 

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Old Shrine Club on East 8th Street in Erie PA

This majestic house at 124 East 8th Street in Erie, PA was originally the home and office of Dr. Charles Brandes. Dr. Brandes died in 1899 at the ripe old age of 81 years; his wife died in 1905. The Shrine Club acquired the house after her death and converted it into a club. 

"Early in 1908 the club purchased the fine semi-modern residence of the late Dr. Brandes on East Eighth street. Possession was taken immediately and in feverish haste the necessary alterations were undertaken, for it was desired to  have it in readiness for the fifty-fifth annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, to be held in Erie during the last week in May, 1908. It was completed in time and its formal opening was a feature of that important Masonic event."-Twentieth Century History of Erie County, PA by John Miller.

The old Shriners' Club shown in the postcard above was destroyed by fire on February 12, 1980. None of the houses shown in the postcard exist today. The site was a surface parking lot for many years. A parking garage is currently under construction on this lot, which is across the street from the Erie Insurance Arena (formerly the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena). The Zem Zem Shrine then moved from East 8th Street to a much larger facility on West 38th Street in Millcreek Township.

Please consider donating to the Shriners Hospital for Children- Erie: http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/Hospitals/Locations/Erie.aspx

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Scolio Fancy Fruits at the Central Market

Old Time Erie: Scolio Fancy Fruits photo courtesy of Joe Scolio.

The Scolio family has been in the fruit business for nearly 100 years. Antonio Scolio, shown in the photo above on the left, was the pioneer in this business. He stands proudly behind his display in the Central Market at 16th and State Street in Erie, PA. This shot was taken in the 1920s. Antonio's son, Anthony Scolio, is shown on the right. A. A. Scolio sold fancy fruits such as apples, bananas and pineapples. Scolio also had stands in the Parade Street Market and the Twelfth Street Market. Antonio's great-grandson, Joe Scolio, continues the tradition with Scolio Fruit Baskets at 32nd and Cherry.

Here is a photo of the exterior of the Central Market shortly before it was demolished: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/06/central-market-on-state-street-in-erie.html

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Erie County Courthouse Part 1

The Erie County Courthouse at 140 West 6th Street in Erie, PA has nearly doubled in size since this postcard was released. The trees on the right side were removed to make way for a courtyard. An addition to the right side of the structure mirrors the one shown here. The Erie courthouse has quite a history. Many documents and memorabilia were destroyed by fire around 1823. The west side of the building, shown above, now houses the offices of the Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Marriage Bureau, Tax and Revenue, Planning, Clerk of Courts and several courtrooms. 

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park

The Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park was dedicated on September 10, 1926, the 113th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. "The dedication services and unveiling which were under the direction of Major William Spencer were brief and simple. Less than 200 people were in attendance, the Erie County Historical society being largely represented."-Erie Daily Times, Sept. 11, 1926.

The Perry Memorial was designed by architects Fuller and Stickle in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry. The monument cost $45,069 and was built by the Continental Construction Co. of Erie, PA. It was 101 feet above lake level and can be seen from the bluff, the bayfront and Horseshoe Pond. This is a popular spot for tourists to visit when they go to the beach or drive around the Peninsula on Fisher Drive. 

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Home For The Friendless in Erie PA

The Home For The Friendless, at 2208 Sassafras Street in Erie, PA, was a home for orphaned or unwanted children. State Senator Morrow B. Lowry donated a frame house located on the old Gaggin property at West 22nd and Sassafras in 1875. Architect D. K. Dean designed the brick home shown above (he also designed Longfellow School, which still stands at 509 West 8th St.). Neighbors and donors were able to visit the home during an open house on February 22, 1876. Look closely and you'll see a number of kids standing at the corner of the building near the opening in the fence. Children were educated at the home for five hours each day. 

The Home For The Friendless was later renamed the Sarah Reed Children's Home. This charity exists today and is known as the Sarah Reed Children's Center in Millcreek.

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Strong Mansion is Gannon's Old Main

Strong Mansion. Views of Erie circa 1904.

The Strong Mansion, a majestic house that is currently known as Gannon University's Old Main, is located at 109 West 6th Street in Erie, PA. President William H. Taft stayed here in September of 1911. http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/11/president-taft-at-strong-mansion-in.html

"The house now in process of erection for Mrs. C. H. Strong will be a strikingly handsome one...It will be nearly as long as the City Hall and somewhat wider." Mrs. Charles H. Strong was Annie Wainwright Scott, the daughter of Senator William L. Scott. 

"The first story will be laid up in blue sandstone...From the top of the first story up, the walls will be of Pompeiian brick- made in New Jersey. These bricks are of a sort of antique yellow color, spotted with a darker tint...The trimmings, ornamentations and cornices will be of terra cotta and the roof of slate. The terra cotta work is all designed expressly for this house, and is made according to the architect's detail plans at the famous terra cotta works in South Amboy, NJ....There is a tower that is not as high as the rest of the building, and abundance of bays, gables, porches, balconies and all the etceteras that go to break up and render picturesque the houses of today. There is a large force of men now engaged upon it." -Erie Daily Times, May 16, 1891.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Parker White Metal on McKinley Ave

Parker White Metal & Machine Company was located on McKinley Avenue near East 23rd Street in Erie, PA. The illustration above shows the factory as it looked around 1915. The company was owned by William A. Parker. "Parker White Metal die castings. Made from a variety of alloys, hard as cast iron or tough as annealed brass. Our dies produce complete, smoothly finished castings, ready for assembly. They insure an exact duplication of any number of parts and do away with expensive machining. Our metals will surprise you."

I think Bargain Barn was located in the old Parker White Metal building in the mid-seventies. The building has since been demolished, but its footprint remains. The Eastside Bayfront Connector runs parallel to the train in the picture above.

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

Erie Day School Makes History

Congratulations to the students at Erie Day School on their latest issue of A Stroke of the Pen, which focuses on the history of Erie, PA. 

Editors Livia and Zak did a great job of compiling stories about the Erie Zoo, the Watson-Curtze Mansion on West 6th Street and the history of Erie theaters and circuses. There are also articles about early Erie schools, industries, Erie politics and Civil War regiments raised in Erie County, PA. 

The cover includes a postcard of State Street that the students discovered on Old Time Erie when they searched the Internet for background information about Erie. Very cool!

Keep up the great work and good luck on your future publications. You deserve a pat on the back!

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie, PA at: oldtimeerie.blogspot.com