Ellsworth House State Street now Richford Arms Erie PA

Ellsworth House at State and North Park Row in Erie, Pennsylvania circa 1880.

The Ellsworth House is the five-story building on the left that used to stand on the northeast corner of State and North Park Row. According to Ed Wellejus, this building was constructed in 1851 and was torn down in 1891. It was known as Brown's Hotel until about 1869. Guests of the Ellsworth hotel had a great view of the park at Perry Square.

The left side of the building shown above faced State Street. The old Reed Hotel, which anchored the block at the corner at North Park Row and French Street, is now a parking lot.  None of the buildings in this picture exist today. The stretch of buildings on the right side of the photo (on French Street) were torn down to build Erie Insurance.

The Ford Hotel, now known as Richford Arms, occupies this Erie spot at 515 State Street. The Ford Hotel opened in 1928. You can see a picture and read about it here: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ford-hotel-now-richford-arms-on-state.html

Ford Hotel now Richford Arms on State Street in Erie, PA

Ford Hotel postcard courtesy of Dr. Barbara Chambers.

The Ford Hotel at 515 State Street in Erie, PA opened to the public on May 12, 1928. This grand hotel had 400 rooms, some of which overlooked Perry Square. Rooms on West 4th Street offered a view of the Bayfront.

Richard T. Ford, president of the Ford Hotels Company, attended the grand opening, as did Erie Mayor Joseph C. Williams. J. Foster Warner designed the ten-story hotel.

"The old underground restroom entrances on the corner of North Park Row and State are visible here," said Joanne Marchant Heim. "The building to the right of the Richford housed the old Prozan Drapery and Furniture Upholstery shop. The old Brown House Hotel, which burned down in 1840, was located where the Richford now stands. After the Brown burnt down, the Ellsworth was built, and later the Ford (Richford) replaced it."

The old Ford Hotel still stands and is now known as Richford Arms.

Read all sorts of historical facts about Erie, Pennsylvania at Old Time Erie