Soap Box Derby at the Dock

Soap Box Derby on State Street in Erie, PA on July 31, 1935. Old Time Erie photo by William Liebler. 

It's finally here! The big day. The event everyone has been waiting for. The Soap Box Derby! Hundreds of people lined both sides of State Street to see local boys participate in this race on July 31, 1935. Events like these were held all over the country, building an estimated 50,000 cars. The champion of each city went on to the national race.

"On August 11th at Akron, Ohio, the finals drew a crowd of between 75,000 and 90,000 people who watched Maurice E. Bale, Jr., age 13, of Anderson, Indiana, race down the incline to become the 1935 Soap Box Derby Champion." -Boys Life (May 1936).

There was a lot at stake for the boys. The first place national champion won a four-year college scholarship; 2nd place won a Chevrolet Master Coach and third place won a Chevrolet Standard Coach.The first boy who won the local derby in Erie, PA is shown at 5:09 in this short film of the 1936 All American Derby racing in the elimination trials Akron, OH. It's pretty exciting to watch the race, and it's no wonder so many spectators showed up. 

Find more historical facts about Erie, Pennsylvania at Old Time Erie.

Wild Winter Weather of 1972

A two day snowstorm during the winter of '72 battered the Erie Public Dock and caused thousand of dollars worth of damage to Presque Isle State Park. The Times Publishing Company covered the event extensively in its newspapers, the Erie Daily Times and the Sunday Times-News.

This is one of those storms that people still remember, even though it took place more than 40 years ago, December 15-16, 1972. According to  WJET/FOX 66 meteorologist Tom Atkins, the storm dumped 9" of snow in the City of Erie and 12-18" inland, causing hazardous driving conditions, numerous automobile accidents and severe flooding to Presque Isle, the Public Dock and the Coast Guard Station.

Nine inches of snow doesn't seem like much if you grew up in Erie, PA, but wicked gusts of wind and drifting snow can quickly wreak havoc. "State police in the area advised all motorists to stay off the roads, which were considered extremely hazardous. Interstates 79 and 90 and Rt. 89 were reported to be passable 'only at times,' according to one trooper at Lawrence Park. 'We just can't keep up with the snow. You might as well paint your windshield black.'"- Erie Times-News December 17, 1972.

Driving on the highway into a snowstorm can make for a white-knuckle ride. Some of my worst memories include driving home in blinding snowstorms, staring directly into the hypnotizing effects of snow and trying to avoid looking at the headlights of oncoming cars. Or worse, trying not to panic when being passed by a semi, which would whip the snow into a giant, tornado-like cloud of whiteness. 

My grandmother often repeated a story of driving home in such a storm. My grandfather followed the tail lights of a vehicle for quite a while and wondered why the car eventually came to a complete stop. Grandpa got out to investigate and discovered that he had followed someone right into driveway of the house where they lived. That story still makes me laugh to this day.  

Enjoy more fun facts about the rain, the park and other things at: Old Time Erie

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.

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).

Steamer City of Erie trip to Cleveland July 10, 1927 for Five Bucks

When was the last time you enjoyed a restful night on Lake Erie? 

In 1927 you could travel round trip from Erie to Cleveland, Ohio on July 10 for only $5.50, or take a trip to Buffalo, NY and back for $4.50.

The trip on the Steamer City of Erie featured clean, commodious staterooms and excellent meals.

The excursion line was run by the Cleveland and Buffalo Transit Company, with moorings at the Municipal Pier in Erie, PA. 

Find more facts about tourism in Erie, Pennsylvania at Old Time Erie

Ice Fishing in Erie, PA Bay in 1978

Ice Fishing on the Bay in Erie, PA in 1978

Ice fishing on the bay at Erie, PA in 1978. Photo by Chester Wasielewski, ©Debbi Lyon 2012. 

Ice fishermen love it when Lake Erie freezes over. The proof is in the picture. This shot was taken near the Public Dock at the foot of State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania in January of 1978. The old grain elevator is visible in the background on the right. It has since been demolished. How many people went fishing on this day? It's hard to tell for sure. There are a couple of different strategies here; the simple one involves sitting on a bucket. The other involves dragging a small ice shanty out onto the ice (and hoping that a major wind-gust doesn't launch your shack to Canada.) 

The Maritime Museum and the Blasco Memorial Library were not located on East Front Street when this photo was taken. A new hotel may be in the works on the property where the grain elevator was.

On a good day, you can walk across the Bay to Presque Isle. Do you need a passport to walk across the lake to Canada? Hmmm...

Find more fun facts about Erie PA at Old Time Erie

Public Dock Iced Over in 1985, Erie, PA

Photo by Chester Wasielewski taken in 1985. ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

Public Dock iced over in 1985 Foot of State Street in Erie, PA

Just think of the brutal wind whipping in from the north, spraying water from the bay onto the old Public Dock. The dock is a perfect place to take in the setting sun, catch a fish or capture  a photo ducks or seagulls. Or, you can go here a shoot the breeze or get an ice cream cone. 

This tourist attraction has been renamed  several times over the years and is now known as Dobbins Landing. The Bicentennial Tower replaced the old structure shown here.

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