Walnut Creek Hotel in Kearsarge, PA

Walnut Creek Hotel postcard courtesy of Tom DiLuzio.

Here is a real photo postcard of an old Erie County hotel, complete with several pieces of luggage sitting in the dirt. The Walnut Creek Hotel, if it existed today, would sit at 5701 Peach Street, on the southeast corner of Peach and Biebel Avenue in Millcreek Township. The site is currently occupied by Roth Cadillac. It's across the street from the Millcreek Mall.

The Walnut Creek Hotel was also a tavern. There are three Erie Brewing Company corner signs on this wooden building, advertising beer, ale and porter. Kids who grew up in Kearsarge referred to this building as the 'Haunted House.'

There are three men in this photo, two on the porch (one in a white apron) and one standing next to the horse-drawn wagon. Unfortunately, there is no postmark on the postcard. At the turn of the century, Peach Street was called Edinboro Road, or the Erie and Edinboro Road. Biebel Avenue was called Zauniger Lane. (Zaunnegger St. now runs parallel to Peach St.)

My theory is that the Walnut Creek Hotel was owned by George and Mary Biebel. They were the parents of William and Edward Biebel. William died in his home at 5637 Peach Street on May 14, 1929. The headline of his obituary read "Well-known Kearsarge Merchant Succumbs at His Home." William and Edward owned a general store near the hotel. 

I'm hoping that one of the descendants of the men shown above will drop me an e-mail to solve this mystery. 

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

Roth Cadillac 1117 State Street and Plymouth Tavern

-ad in Erie Tageblatt, March 26, 1908

Today I'll take you on a trip, but first I want you to get your bearings. See the tall building near the center that says "United States" in large letters on the side? That is the current location of the Plymouth Tavern and Restaurant.

OK? Good. The wide building on the right in this postcard is now a parking lot for a bank, but it was the home of Roth Cadillac. Founder Jacob Roth sold automobiles and bicycles.

The ad on the right is from the German newspaper, the Erie Tageblatt. It says that Pennsylvania Bicycles represent Quality, Endurance and Economy. Roth sold roadsters and high grade business bicycles. He also sold bicycle tires ($1.50 to $4) and cemented tires for free.

"The Roth Cadillac Company had its origin in 1892 when Jacob Roth engaged in the bicycle business with his brothers at 18 West 9th Street. In the years following, the business was located at the following addresses: 1027 State, 1018 State, 1117-1123 State, and in April, 1922, it was removed to its present location, 20-22 East 8th St. In 1898 Messrs. Roth combined their bicycle business with the automobile industry and in 1903 discontinued the former altogether." -Reed History of Erie Co., PA, published in 1925.

Jake Roth was also the vice-president of the Erie Cycle and Athletic Association in 1897. Here is an article about Erie Cycling Clubs in 1897: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/10/bicycle-cycling-clubs-1897-erie-pa.html