Erie Volunteers in the Civil War

The 145th Pennsylvania Volunteers formed at Erie, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1862, raised in part by David McCreary. The names of the recruits and officers read like a who's who of Erie County. In addition to McCreary, the list includes Osborn, Loomis, and Jordan. The surnames might sound familiar; if you've navigated through Erie County, you may have seen their names on roadsigns. 

Dr. Verel Salmon, former superintendent of the Millcreek School District, is the author of "Common Men in the War for the Common Man," a history of the 145th from its formation in 1862 to the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. Dr. Salmon's great-great-grandfather, George W. Salmon, served in the 145th.

The flag in the photograph above was carried into battle on December 13, 1862 at Fredricksburg, where it was heavily damaged. It was returned to Erie and was later presented to the Erie Public Library by the veterans of the 145th. The flag is on display in the Heritage Room at the Blasco Memorial Library in Erie.

Dr. Salmon spoke at the Erie County Historical Society as part of the Sally Carlow Kohler Lecture Series. The event, which was free and open to the public, took place on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 419 State St. in Erie, PA.

Enjoy more historical facts and photos of Erie, PA at: Old Time Erie

Erie Summer Festival of the Arts 1977-1978

Inside cover of Debbi's autograph book circa 1979. ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

The Erie Summer Festival of the Arts was a great place for to see local bands, especially for someone like me who was too young to catch a bar show. The City of Erie blocked off State Street and set up the main stage near the crosswalk of North Park Row on State between the two parks at Perry Square. Bands played from noon until 11 p.m. or so.

The following bands performed on the main stage on June 23, 1978:
Noon: Smitty and Kenny (country rock)
1 p.m. To Be Announced (they got a lot of gigs)
2 p.m. Jack Anderson (folk guitar)
6 p.m. B. B. Wolf (rock and roll)
7 p.m. Jordan (white soul)
8 p.m. Pistol Whip (punk rock)
9 p.m. Guardian (original rock)
10 p.m. Justin Time (classic rock)

The following bands performed on the main stage on June 25, 1977:
Noon: Osiris
1 p.m. Easy
2 p.m. Omega
3 p.m. Thieves
4 p.m. The Sky's the Limit
6 p.m. Pistol Whip
7 p.m. B. B. Wolf
8 p.m. OPRA
9 p.m. Calypso
10 p.m. Jordan