Frisco's 2024 West 26th now I-79 North On-Ramp

-ad in Erie Dispatch, July 8, 1948.

Frisco's Food Market at 2024 West 26th St celebrated its first anniversary in July of 1948, but it would not be around to celebrate its silver anniversary. Why? The construction of the I-79 cloverleaf on and off ramps on Route 20 wiped out a number of homes and businesses.

Frisco's was open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to midnight, and offered free delivery. The store had fresh fruits, vegetables, cold cuts and canned goods. In addition, it had a complete line of household notions.

The store was supplied by Erie Wholesale Grocery Co., Nehi Bottling Co., Drink Mor Beverage Co., Carl Pedano Fruits & Vegetables, George's Bakery, Nunes Groceries and Meats, Jacob Haller Co., Sterling Milk, Januleski Bros. and John Casale Food Market, to name a few.

Baldini Superette was located at 2024 West 26th Street in 1967. Other businesses on the north side of the street included: Cirino's Fine Foods Grocer at 2130 W 26th and Sullivan's Mobile Service at 2160 W 26th St.

Businesses on the south side of West 26th in 1967 included: West Ridge Lawn Repair at 2071 W 26th, West Ridge Beer Distributors at 2109 W 26th, Mazza's Restaurant and Pizza Shop at 2119 W 26th and Andrews Service Station at 2165 W 26th St.

What other businesses were displaced by Interstate 79 near Route 20?

Sportsman's Field Car Races 26th and Pittsburgh Ave 1949

Ads in Erie Dispatch, June 19, 1949.

Sportsman's Field, 26th & Pittsburgh Ave, Erie, PA 1949

Before Interstate 79 was extended to the area near 26th and Pittsburgh Avenue, Sportsman's Field was the place to see daredevil car races on a quarter mile dirt track and professional wrestling matches. The field existed from 1949 until about 1952 and is now the site of an industrial park.

Joie Chitwood and his World Champion Daredevils performed at Sportsman's Field on Monday, June 20th, 1949. The ad stated, "These men are candidates for death. Each one is living on borrowed time and that time is awfully short. See this thrilling jump from ramp to ramp in a new 1949 Ford...12 daredevil drivers...27 death defying stunts...The world's greatest Superman drivers selected from the leading European, American speedways and Hollywood movie lots will challenge death at a mile-a-minute. Racing and crashing new sedans, driving motorcycles through roaring flames...attempting every conceivable thrill stung. Watch these Supermen tempt fate every thrill-packed second!"

Sportsmen's Field at 26th and Pittsburgh Avenue in Millcreek Township was a 1/4 mile dirt track, with 50 foot wide turns and straightaways. The field had 25 acres of free parking.

Here's an article on the Iroquois Avenue Speedway aka Thuderbowl Speedway from 1959:
http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/08/iroquois-speedway-aka-thunderbowl.html