Ripping Up the Railroad Tracks in Erie

Old Time Erie illustration by A. Hintenach.

Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7th, 1941. This is one event that our nation will never forget. Although far less tragic, few people are aware of an event that happened on December 7th, 1853 that put Erie, PA in the national spotlight. This is the story of the Gauge War.

"There had been haggling between the citizens and transfer men. Two changes of cargo between Erie and the New York line became unbearable…trackage was ripped up at Erie and Harborcreek on dark nights, to be stubbornly replaced the next day. Tempers flared. Action was demanded. 

Enraged citizens dropped their work and rushed to the public square at the summons of the court house bell…the old brass cannon, readied for an alert, careened up State Street until it stuck in a mud hole…and stuck. Helmeted figures with ropes and cables pushed on to the North East and Erie Railroad bridge on State Street. Armed with clubs, small arms, rotten eggs and terrific determination they stormed their objective, secured their ropes and cables…

Down came the bridge. Not a shot was fired and casualties from rocks, rotten eggs and clubs were few. The guerrilla warfare between the North East and Erie Railroad transfer men and the citizenry started thus and continued for over six months to end in a fanfare of flying debris. The 'Railroad War' passed into the musty archives of Erieana. And all because this connecting link between Ohio and New York was too wide between tracks to run through trains." -Landmarks of Old Erieland by Security-Peoples Trust Co.

Learn more forgotten facts about the history of Erie, Pennsylvania at: Old Time Erie

Skinner Engine Company 12th and Chestnut

The Skinner Engine Company was located at 337 West 12th St. Most of the buildings shown in this A. Hintenach illustration still stand near the corner of West 12th and Chestnut Street in Erie, PA. Security-Peoples Trust Company released a cool booklet in 1946 called "There's Security in 'Erieland." The following description of the company appeared in that publication.

"Skinner Engine Company, founded in 1868 by its first President, LeGrand Skinner, built the first poppet-valve Unaflow Steam Engine in this country. Today, in its 77th year, under the direction of J. LeGrand Skinner, its third President, Skinner Engine Company is the largest exclusive builder of steam engines in the United States. The original Skinner Engine is here illustrated.

American industry grows great over the decades, inspired by the credo...'long after the price has been forgotten, the quality proves the value of the product.' Thus Skinner has sold its famous Universal Unaflow engines for use in land-bound business and industry in the four corners of the world...and for ships that sail the seven seas. Reliable statistics show that 50% of all Unaflow engines built in this country have come from the Skinner Plant."

Enjoy more facts about the City of Erie, Pennsylvania history at: Old Time Erie