Public Dock Winter of 1967-68 Erie, PA

East side of Erie Public Dock, winter of 1967-68. Photo ©Jeffrey George 2012.

Remember rambling down State Street in your old boat of a car, pumping the brakes to make sure you didn't slide down State and spin out? And then gunning it to get back up the hill? Gotta love those old rear wheel drive cars. The big chrome bumpers made it fun for kids to latch onto and hitch a ride (not the safest sport).

This photo was taken by Jeffrey George the Public Dock during the winter of 1967-68. It's amazing how much this area has been built up with the newer Dobbin's Landing and Bicentennial Tower replacing this old antenna-like metal contraption on the dock. Local pranksters used to steal the 'L' from  the old Public Dock sign, much to the embarrassment of the local authorities...or maybe this is another one of those Eerie myths?

"Several cars went over the Dock, some accidentally and several on purpose!" said Beverly M.

At any rate, it looks like it was a mighty cold day when this picture was snapped.

Very little changed from 1967 to 1985 when this photo was taken at the Erie Public Dock.

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

Rider's On The Bay State Street Restaurant

Postcard and ad in Erie Dispatch-Herald, September 20, 1945.

Rider's on the Bay Restaurant was located on West Dobbin's Landing in Erie, PA from the forties until the sixties.

The restaurant was owned by Manly and Caroline Rider in 1946 and was located at 4 State Street, near the Public Dock. In the mid-sixties, Rider's was owned by Nick Markopoulos and Alex Platis (who also owned Tony's Restaurant & Marine Bar on the east side of State Street.)

Rider's On the Bay was a place to take the family to eat.

"If you haven't already sampled our seafood specialties, why not stop in this evening for one of our tangy Fish Dinners. Then you'll know why the whole town is raving. Whether you crave Fish, Oysters, Lobsters, Soft Shell Crabs, Shrimp or Scallop, you'll be satisfied...and then some!"

This restaurant was demolished. The Sheraton Bayfront Hotel currently occupies this site.

Public Dock and USS Wolverine Erie PA

Here's a cool old postcard showing the Public Dock in Erie, PA, which is now known as Dobbin's Landing. This bird's eye view was taken on the east side of the dock. The large white vessel sitting parallel to the dock is the USS Wolverine, also known as the USS Michigan. It was painted white around 1907. There were a number of commercial fishing companies that operated on Erie's lower east side, and fish nets are drying in the sun on racks on the lower left side of this picture.

Here's a newer shot of the Public Dock from a different angle: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/05/lower-state-street-photo-by-chester.html

State Street at Night Hanging Out at the Public Dock

State Street at night from the Erie Public Dock. Photo by Debbi Lyon ©2012.

Here's a time-lapse photo of State Street from the observation deck of the Public Dock in Erie, Pennsylvania around 1985 or 1986. The dock is now known as Dobbin's Landing. This shot looks south on State. The dock was a popular place to hang out on the weekend for lots of teens and young adults. On a warm night you would find locals and tourists sitting on the trunks and hoods of cars or going for a stroll along the edge of the dock. You can see McAllister & Son on the left (the white building) and the old Penelec station in the upper left corner (now the Maritime Museum).