Public Dock and USS Wolverine Erie PA

Here's a cool old postcard showing the Public Dock in Erie, PA, which is now known as Dobbin's Landing. This bird's eye view was taken on the east side of the dock. The large white vessel sitting parallel to the dock is the USS Wolverine, also known as the USS Michigan. It was painted white around 1907. There were a number of commercial fishing companies that operated on Erie's lower east side, and fish nets are drying in the sun on racks on the lower left side of this picture.

Here's a newer shot of the Public Dock from a different angle: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/05/lower-state-street-photo-by-chester.html

State Street Erie PA pre-Bayfront Highway

State St. in Erie, PA looking north to Public Steamboat Landing. Courtesy of Erie Police historian Ken Sidun.

Here's a gritty-looking shot taken around 1910 from the west side of State Street in Erie, PA near the spot where the Bayfront Highway cuts across State. The building on the left with 'Chew Honey Scrap' painted on the side was demolished, as were the smaller buildings in the foreground. The bow of the USS Wolverine sat in the park on the left before it was moved to a spot on East Front Street in front of the Maritime Museum. This photo was taken before the Wolverine was cut up for scrap. 

The low building on the east side of State Street used to sit at the northeast corner of State and East Front Street. It no longer exists, nor does the big building on the right which is partially obscured by a man walking past the photographer. 

There is a delivery truck belonging to Ed. Kraus on the right side of the photo. Edward Kraus started Kraus' Department Store at 810-816 Parade Street in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1886.

 A cobblestone street similar to the one in this photo, called Dobbins Lane, still exists off of State Street, just north of the office building at 100 State Street in Erie, PA.

Erie Public Dock & Lower State Street

Erie Public Dock and lower State Street. Photo by Chester Wasielewski, ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

Erie Bayfront and the Public Dock

Bugging State on a Saturday night was what every hot blooded young man did back in the day, trolling for girls in Erie, PA. Here is a daytime shot of the Public Dock taken from Hamot Hospital. Nolan Boat works is in the upper left, the bow of the USS Michigan/Wolverine is on the left and the Brig Niagara is in her berth on the west side of State Street. It sure looks different now. For instance, the large building in the center of this photo is now a field, the Niagara is parked behind the Maritime Museum, and the anchor from the USS Wolverine sits in front of the Maritime Museum on East Front Street.

The Erie Steamboat Landing was the tall structure topped by a red flag at the foot of State St. It has been replaced with the Bicentennial Tower, a major tourist attraction in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Here's an older shot of the Public Dock from a different angle: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-dock-and-uss-wolverine-erie-pa.html

Lower State Street in Erie near the Public Dock

State Street looking southwest. Photo by Chester Wasielewski, © 2012 Debbi Lyon.

Lower State Street in Erie, PA near the Public Dock

Downtown Erie, Pennsylvania looks a lot different than it did when this photo was taken on Lower State Street around 1963. The bow of the old USS Michigan/Wolverine used to sit in the park on the west side of State Street before it was moved inside of the Maritime Museum. The old anchor that was in the park now sits on East Front Street in front of the Maritime Museum.

The big brick building on the top of the bluff on the left was the Hamot Hospital Nurses Home at 2 West 2nd Street in Erie. The Niagara Hotel is the long building next to it with the blue and yellow color scheme at 20 West 2nd Street. The Niagara was managed by Christ Scott, a Greek immigrant. His son Nicholas C. Scott, the President and CEO of Scott Enterprises, which owns hotels, restaurants, Splash Lagoon and Peakn'Peek.

The Brig Niagara, which used to sit on the west side of State Street, is not visible in this picture.

Back in the day, many teenagers and young adults spent every Friday and Saturday night Buggin' State.

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