The SHY Club- Ronald vs. Peggy

The Erie County Motor Club, formed in 1912, published a neat magazine with items of local interest. The issue shown here is from May of 1952. 

"Fifty-two thousand five hundred pairs of shoes have crossed the threshold of the SHY Club at Sarah Hearn Memorial church since the club was founded February 8, 1945. 

Peggy Postgate and Ronald Sitter, the lively looking young people on our front cover, wear two of those pairs of shoes...SHY Club, under the adult direction of John Gillespie and Andy Peterson (who also direct Y-Astee Club at the YMCA) meets Friday evenings, and attracts about 150 junior high and early senior high age youngsters for pleasant, healthful fun. The club is jointly sponsored by the YMCA and Sarah Hearn church."

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Rad-O-Lite RELCO Emergency Lights

Old Time Erie - 1971 ad for RELCO.

Remember the white light at the top of the traffic lights in Erie, PA that would blink when triggered by an emergency vehicle? Police, fire and ambulances drivers could with on this system at major intersections. The only problem? It was very confusing to tourists passing through Erie who did not have this system in their town. Under ideal conditions, drivers would see the blinking white light, hear the sirens and pull over to the right side of the road, clearing a path for the police car or fire truck. This system was marketed by the Radio Emergency Light Co (RELCO) under the name Rad-O-Lite. The company was located at 3427 Sterrettania Road in Millcreek Twp.

This system no longer exists, but I wish there was something like it, especially at East 12th and East Avenue and East 12th and the Bayfront Connector. Too many close calls there for me.

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Congested Traffic 12th and State

It's no wonder that traffic was so congested at the intersection of 12th and State Street in Erie, PA. There does not appear to be a traffic light!

Trolleys ran up and down State Street, and also made the turn at 12th Street to head east or west. 

There were multiple distractions with pedestrians, cars, trucks and trolleys sharing the road. The Erie Police Department had a post at 12th and State. It was the little white structure near the bottom left corner. 

The Commerce Building, shown on the right, was demolished in the eighties. The trolley tracks were either ripped out or paved over. A traffic light and cross walks make this intersection much safer for people who are shopping at retail stores or working at one of the businesses or banks downtown.

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Click below to see a postcard of the Commerce Building and 12th and State Street intersection from a different angle.

Industries in Erie PA in 1958

At one time, Erie was a manufacturing powerhouse with quality products known around the world, such as Hammermill paper. In its heyday, the Hammermill plant ran 24 hours a day. The logos shown above represent some of the industries and service providers that operated in Erie, PA in the spring of 1958. Security-Peoples Trust Company used this image in a magazine advertisement to promote pride in the community. It would be interesting to see what items each company made and if they are still in business.

It would be great if there was a Museum of Erie Industries with sample items and photos of the businesses, especially the ones on West 12th Street.

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