Happy Days at the Home Drive In

The Home Drive In was a very busy place in the 50s and 60s," said Patty Hanes. "They were open pretty much all the time, and sometimes we would sleep on the beach and have breakfast there. Of course, most of the action was in the evenings and late at night. It was a place to 'See and be seen.' I remember seeing Spesh Servidio and his friends. They were sort of the original Erie 'Bikers.' He had a Harley with ape-hanger handlebars. He later had a furniture store called 'Especially Victorian' in the late 80s. Spesh passed away on December 13, 2011."

The Home Drive In was located at 2902 West Lake Road and was owned by Lamar and Edward Majeroni. It may have closed around 1968 or so. The restaurant had a prime location on the northwest triangle at West 8th and Peninsula Drive. It was close to the beach, Waldameer amusement park (and Trinity Cemetery). Cars parked under an awning which was heated in the winter and shady in the summer. Girls on roller-skates brought orders right to the car and attached a tray on the car door. Just like on Happy Days or American Graffiti. Another long gone piece of Erie history.

The Home Drive In attracted lots of tourists who visited Presque Isle State Park and lots of locals who hung out on the beach working on their tan.

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

Swimming at the Chestnut Street Pool in Erie PA

Chestnut Street Pool photo © John E. Baker 2012, used with permission of the photographer.

Looks like these girls are having a great time splashing around in the Chestnut Street Pool in Erie, PA. Photographer John E. Baker captured this great shot of girls gathering on the platform, ready to jump into the cool water on a hot summer day. Boys and girls swam on alternate days. 

Lots of Erie kids learned to swim here, and many remember skinning their knees on the rough bottom of the cement pool. Another piece of Erie history that holds a special place in the hearts of so many people.  The pool has since been filled in, but you can still see its outline as you drive by on the Bayfront Highway.

Here is a link to an old postcard of the Chestnut Street Pool: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/11/chestnut-street-pool-and-waterworks.html