Hammermill Bird's Eye View

Bird's Eye View of Hammermill Paper Co. from a linen card.

Just dropping a quick note to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I decided to research my Irish ancestors on St. Patrick's Day and discovered that my great-great-great grandfather, Patrick F. Donnelly, was a veteran of the Civil War! Having survived that harrowing experience, he was one of 17 men who were killed in an explosion in a coal mine in Clinton County, Pennsylvania in November of 1888. So, you can see why I have been neglecting my Old Time Erie duties as of late. 

As I ease back into a routine, I thought you might enjoy a bird's eye view of the Hammermill Paper Company on East Lake Road in Erie, PA. The plant was purchased by International Paper and, as was the fate with many industries in the region, no longer exists.

Stay tuned for more historical facts and old photos of Erie, PA following this brief intermission.

Four Mile Creek- Lawrence Park- GE Athletic Field

This old drawing of Lawrence Park appeared in the Erie Dispatch-Herald on December 2, 1934. Water Street used to be called Lawrence Parkway between East Lake Road and the main gate for General Electric. It was called Crowley Road before that. The old GE Athletic Field is right in the center, bordered by Water Street and Four Mile Creek. GE had some of the top football, baseball and soccer teams in the thirties and forties, and would entice top athletes with to play in return for easier shop jobs.

The dotted lines on the map show the proposed change to the path of Four Mile Creek, spearheaded by Lawrence Park Commissioners Charlie Thompson and J. J. Kennedy, for the creation of Napier Park. "As the sketch shows the park lays along Four-Mile Creek and extends from the bridge on East Lake Road to the bridge on Main st. and comprises 11 acres which will be graded and landscaped."