Warner Bros. Top Retailer 10th and State

Warner Brothers Dry Goods and Carpets was located on the northwest corner of 10th and State in Erie, PA in 1888. Their business was located in the Scott Block, an ornate building owned by W. L. Scott. 

Edwin L. and W. S. Warner began their career in 1852 as clerks for Cadwell & Griswold. The men then partnered as Griswold & Warner, then Bell & Warner (in 1860) and Warner Bros. in 1866.

"The front portion of the magnificent first floor store-room is devoted to the display of dry goods of every description, for which the house is famous- silks, woolens, linens, cottons, laces, ribbons, embroideries, trimmings, ladies' and gentlemen's furnishing goods, notions, etc. The rear is utilized for cloaks and curtains, which are shown in endless variety. The basement, tastefully arranged and perfectly lighted, contains at all times the largest and most valuable stock of carpets, rugs, floor oil cloths and kindred goods in this market, embracing everything salable, from the cheapest American to the most gorgeous Persian and Turkish fabrics."

Edwin L. Warner, who was born in Oneida County, NY, died on September 27, 1905 and was buried in the Erie Cemetery.

The Scott Block, at 930 State St., was five stories tall with a footprint of 60x150 feet and was said to be fireproof when constructed. This building played a prominent role in Erie history. It was later home to the W. T. Grant Co., which held its grand opening on November 8, 1924. Fireproof? Not quite. Grant's lost $300,000 in merchandise when the Scott building went up in flames on Dec. 20, 1944

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Scott Block and Grant's Store 10th and State Street Erie PA

The Scott Block on the northwest corner of 10th and State Street in Erie, PA.

The Scott Block was built by William L. Scott in 1875 on the northwest corner of Tenth and State Street in Erie, Pennsylvania. The building had a number of cool features, including a mansard roof and unique sets of windows that were different on each floor. The Scott building had a number of tenants over the years, including the Warner Dry Goods Company and Erie Insurance Exchange.

The W. T. Grant Company moved into the Scott Block in 1924, holding its grand opening on November 8, 1924. Grant's leased all five floors of the building. The facade was green Vermont marble and burnished copper. The building was 62' wide on the State Street side and 142' deep along West 10th Street.

"One side of the store is also a great row of show windows, giving the store one of the largest display areas in Erie. Polished copper edging on the windows, lavish lighting effects and the brilliant gilt sign of the W. T. Grant Company make this front one of the brightest in the city...Its new highly polished walnut fixtures, surmounted by sparkling plate glass bins in which the merchandise has been neatly laid out...Above the shelving the walls are finished in cream color with a panel effect, the ceiling is snowy white...The wide and easy stairway leads to the lower sales room...The offices are located on a mezzanine across the rear of the main floor so situated that the entire floor can be supervised from the office." -Erie Dispatch-Herald, November 7, 1924.

Grant's moved into the Scott Block after vacating its original store at 909 State Street. The building was previously occupied by the Warner Bros. Dry Goods store The grand opening of this store, number 24 in the Grant's chain, took place on April 22, 1916. The John Scarlett Company was located at 909 State before Grant's.

So, what happened to the Grant's store at 10th and State? Fire ripped through the building on December 20, 1944, causing extensive damage to the Scott Block and loss of merchandise to Grant's.

Several surrounding businesses were damaged by the Grant's fire, including Pulakos confectioners at 926 State Street and the Strand Theater at 922 State Street. The Scott Block was rebuilt with a different style roof; the building was remodeled once again in the mid-fifties, when blue and white porcelain panels were used to cover the facade. The Scott block was demolished in 1969.

Grant's moved to Peach Street after it left the Scott Block at 928-932 State Street.

Here is another view of the old Scott Block, looking east from 10th and Peach Street

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Majestic Theater and Scott Block Erie PA

Majestic Theater and Scott Block on West 10th St. Photo courtesy of Erie Police historian Ken Sidun.

The Majestic Theater was built in 1904 at 18-24 West 10th Street in Erie, PA. It was just west of the Scott Block and was located on the north side of Tenth St. between Peach and State. The Majestic was also known as the Perry Theater and most recently was Shea's Theater.

None of the buildings shown in this photo exist today. The Majestic was demolished in 1967.

The Lawrence Hotel, on the corner of 10th and Peach Street, is the first building on the left. The Lawrence was built in 1913 and was demolished in 1968.

The Scott Block, shown on the right in this photo, was built in 1875 and was demolished in 1969. It was owned by W. L. Scott. The Hilton Hotel occupied the site of all three buildings in the 1980s, stretching from State to Peach on West 10th St.

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11th and State Street 1893 Erie PA Wonderland

State Street looking north from 11th Street circa 1893.

Hard to believe that this photo was taken at the intersection of 11th and State Streets in Erie, PA. It's amazing what a difference 120 years makes. The trolley tracks are long gone, along with the horses and the unsightly utility poles on either side of the street. The Boston Store and Baldwin Bldg. are not yet in the picture.

The store on the left, 1022 State Street, was the home of Aaron Smith. H. V. Claus & Co. was at 1020 State along with the Wonderland Theatre and Museum. Cronin & Prendergast was next door at 1018 State and George E. Weber was located at 1014 State. A building in the center of this block has an American flag as an awning. The tall building on the left (near the trolleys) is the Scott block on the southwest corner of 10th and State.

The barrel on the back of horse-drawn cart on the right is a Studebaker sprinkler carriage. There is an ad for the People's Shoe Store on the side of the building at 929 State Street, right above the sprinkler.

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