Tall Ships Erie 2013 Celebration

Thousands of tourists are in town this weekend to enjoy Tall Ships Erie and to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. I have never seen so many cars lined up on the Bayfront Highway, practically at a standstill from State Street to the East Bayfront Parkway. Motorcycle police were directing traffic at several intersections as people tried to find a good spot to view the Tall Ships Parade of Sail. A black and white helicopter patrolled the channel and shoreline, while big, puffy white clouds accented the blue sky.  

I see the Niagara so much that I take it for granted. Shame on me. When I walked past the window at work last night, I stopped for a moment to take a picture. I had forgotten how spectacular our sunsets are here in Erie, PA. And this sunset was even more spectacular with the Brig Niagara in the foreground. This view repeats practically every night when the Niagara is not touring the Great Lakes promoting maritime history.

Ten ships took part in Tall Ships Erie, and tours were available for a small fee. I walked around with a few co-workers on our lunch break amidst a sea of 5,300 children from schools in Erie, Crawford and Warren Counties. It's amazing that the teachers were able to keep track of them all.

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

Baker's Bird's Eye View of Erie PA

Bird's eye view of Erie, PA ©John E. Baker 2012, used with permission.

This beautiful bird's eye view of the port of Erie, PA was shot by John E. Baker on July 4th. To help you get your bearings, Holland Street is on the left, parallel to State Street on the right. The Bayfront Highway runs between the two. Many of the places that we have visited previously on Old Time Erie are visible in this aerial photograph. Here are a few to get you started:

Oliver Hazard Perry steered the Niagara and the Lawrence through the channel to engage the enemy in the War of 1812: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/war-of-1812-dont-give-up-ship.html

The Penelec smokestack stands in front of the library: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/giant-smoke-stack-on-eries-bayfront.html

The old Hotel Ford still stands: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/09/ford-hotel-now-richford-arms-on-state.html

We can't forget the Boston Store: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/state-street-boston-store-circa-1932.html

Or Hamot hospital: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/hamot-hospital-and-public-dock-in-1929.html

The Perry Square library: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/old-perry-square-library-erie-pa.html

The Baldwin Building: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/state-street-palace-theater-and-baldwin.html

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

Giant Smoke Stack on Erie's Bayfront

Penelec Substation in Erie, PA. Photo by John E. Baker. Used with the permission of the photographer.

Thousands of people drive by the giant smoke stack on the bayfront in Erie, PA every day and wonder "What in the world is that thing?" Well, their words are probably a little more graphic than that, but you get the idea.

You can't miss it, even if you are speeding along on the Bayfront Highway. It's HUGE! 

The smokestack had a purpose. At one time, it was a vital part of the Penelec substation, supplying electricity to the City of Erie. The coal pile on the left side of the picture was a couple of stories high. One building from this complex still stands, and is the home of the Erie Maritime Museum. It's roughly in the center of this picture. The building between the Maritime Museum and the smokestack was demolished; you can drive from State Street to Holland Street on East Front Street.

Construction on the brand new Blasco Memorial Library was completed in 1996. The Hirt Auditorium was added to the south side of the Maritime Museum.

The old Grain Elevator, which has since been demolished, is visible to the northeast of the Maritime Museum. Here is a link to a picture of it from a different angle: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/11/grain-elevator-demolition-1986-erie-pa.html

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

Erie Public Dock & Lower State Street

Erie Public Dock and lower State Street. Photo by Chester Wasielewski, ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

Erie Bayfront and the Public Dock

Bugging State on a Saturday night was what every hot blooded young man did back in the day, trolling for girls in Erie, PA. Here is a daytime shot of the Public Dock taken from Hamot Hospital. Nolan Boat works is in the upper left, the bow of the USS Michigan/Wolverine is on the left and the Brig Niagara is in her berth on the west side of State Street. It sure looks different now. For instance, the large building in the center of this photo is now a field, the Niagara is parked behind the Maritime Museum, and the anchor from the USS Wolverine sits in front of the Maritime Museum on East Front Street.

The Erie Steamboat Landing was the tall structure topped by a red flag at the foot of State St. It has been replaced with the Bicentennial Tower, a major tourist attraction in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Here's an older shot of the Public Dock from a different angle: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-dock-and-uss-wolverine-erie-pa.html