Reed House Hotel in Perry Square

Old Time Erie postcard contributed by Tom DiLuzio.

The luxurious five-story Reed hotel attracted guests from all over the United States, including Buffalo Bill Cody. It sat right in the middle of Erie's commercial district, on the corner of North Park Row and French Street. Check out this description of the Reed House:

"The building is pressed brick, with stone, iron and terra cotta towers at each corner and in the center of the north and south fronts. The structure is in the form of a hollow square, thus securing an abundance of light and air to every room in the house, which is traversed by broad corridors running the entire length and breadth. Splendid staircases connect the various stories, and a fine passenger and baggage elevator enables guests to reach their rooms quickly and with little exertion. 

The first floor is laid in marble tiles, and comprises the spacious office, barroom, wine-room, barber shop, baggage room, etc., all elegantly finished in costly woods. On the second floor are the grand dining room, 80x120', reading and writing room facing French street and the park, 40x60', reception room, general parlor, ladies' parlor, sample rooms for traveling salesmen, and several beautiful suites of rooms for the use of guests.

The appointments as regards furniture, carpets, hangings and decorations are of the most luxurious kind, each room or suite of rooms being provided with toilet closet, bath, bells, gas-lights and the neatest, daintiest and most refreshing beds that ever invited the weary wayfarer to repose. 

The dining room with its array of spotless table linen, glittering glass, crystal and silver, and battalion of attentive colored waiters, is another most attractive feature, and especially worthy of the epicure's attention, and every substantial and delicacy obtainable being provided in profusion to tempt the appetite and satiate the inner man. All servants are in livery, and the promptitude and reliability of waiters, bell boys and all employed about the hostelry would satisfy the most exacting."

The description above was written in 1888. Sounds like we had our own Downton Abbey in Downtown Erie. The Reed House was demolished in 1933. A parking lot now occupies this site.

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

Perry Square Fountain Light Show

New Edison Electric Fountain postcard courtesy of Michele H.

The fountain in the east park of Perry Square was dedicated with a huge celebration on October 22, 1929, when the Chamber of Commerce presented the structure to the City of Erie, PA. The ceremony kicked off with a military parade led by the 112th Regimental Band, followed by the Academy High School Marching Band, the Erie Drum and Bugle Corps, the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The parade started on 18th and State and ended at Perry Square. 

The fountain was dedicated to Thomas Edison in honor of Light's Golden Jubilee, a week-long celebration of the invention of the electric light. The Edison Electric Fountain was constructed by General Electric for $16,500 and was the pride of Erie when it was finished. The City of Erie paid $5,000 and the remainder of the money was raised by private citizens through popular subscription. 

"Said to surpass even the Atlantic City fountain, there will be eight changes in water effects, the entire light cycle requiring 10 minutes for completion. For each water effect there will be 12 changes in lighting effects, or a total of 96 combinations to each cycle." -Erie Dispatch Herald, October 22, 1929.

A number of dignitaries were present when the Edison electric fountain was dedicated, including Erie Mayor Joseph Williams, local G.E. head H. L. R. Emmet, Charles H. Strong, W. Pitt Gifford and judge/congressman/state representative Henry A. Clark. 

Knowing the history makes me look at the fountain in a whole new light (no pun intended). My aunt moved to the Los Angeles area, and whenever she came back to Erie for a visit, she had to go see the 'colored water' in Perry Square.

Old fountain in Perry Square. Postcard courtesy of Tom DiLuzio.

The old fountain in the east park of Perry Square was replaced in 1929. You can see the Reed Hotel in the background on the left on North Park Row, and the Becker Block on the right along French Street. I'll bet kids got yelled at for jumping the rail and splashing in this fountain on a hot summer day. 

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