Erie County Courthouse Part 1

The Erie County Courthouse at 140 West 6th Street in Erie, PA has nearly doubled in size since this postcard was released. The trees on the right side were removed to make way for a courtyard. An addition to the right side of the structure mirrors the one shown here. The Erie courthouse has quite a history. Many documents and memorabilia were destroyed by fire around 1823. The west side of the building, shown above, now houses the offices of the Recorder of Deeds, Prothonotary, Register of Wills, Marriage Bureau, Tax and Revenue, Planning, Clerk of Courts and several courtrooms. 

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

Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park

The Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park was dedicated on September 10, 1926, the 113th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie. "The dedication services and unveiling which were under the direction of Major William Spencer were brief and simple. Less than 200 people were in attendance, the Erie County Historical society being largely represented."-Erie Daily Times, Sept. 11, 1926.

The Perry Memorial was designed by architects Fuller and Stickle in honor of Oliver Hazard Perry. The monument cost $45,069 and was built by the Continental Construction Co. of Erie, PA. It was 101 feet above lake level and can be seen from the bluff, the bayfront and Horseshoe Pond. This is a popular spot for tourists to visit when they go to the beach or drive around the Peninsula on Fisher Drive. 

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Home For The Friendless in Erie PA

The Home For The Friendless, at 2208 Sassafras Street in Erie, PA, was a home for orphaned or unwanted children. State Senator Morrow B. Lowry donated a frame house located on the old Gaggin property at West 22nd and Sassafras in 1875. Architect D. K. Dean designed the brick home shown above (he also designed Longfellow School, which still stands at 509 West 8th St.). Neighbors and donors were able to visit the home during an open house on February 22, 1876. Look closely and you'll see a number of kids standing at the corner of the building near the opening in the fence. Children were educated at the home for five hours each day. 

The Home For The Friendless was later renamed the Sarah Reed Children's Home. This charity exists today and is known as the Sarah Reed Children's Center in Millcreek.

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Strong Mansion is Gannon's Old Main

Strong Mansion. Views of Erie circa 1904.

The Strong Mansion, a majestic house that is currently known as Gannon University's Old Main, is located at 109 West 6th Street in Erie, PA. President William H. Taft stayed here in September of 1911. http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/11/president-taft-at-strong-mansion-in.html

"The house now in process of erection for Mrs. C. H. Strong will be a strikingly handsome one...It will be nearly as long as the City Hall and somewhat wider." Mrs. Charles H. Strong was Annie Wainwright Scott, the daughter of Senator William L. Scott. 

"The first story will be laid up in blue sandstone...From the top of the first story up, the walls will be of Pompeiian brick- made in New Jersey. These bricks are of a sort of antique yellow color, spotted with a darker tint...The trimmings, ornamentations and cornices will be of terra cotta and the roof of slate. The terra cotta work is all designed expressly for this house, and is made according to the architect's detail plans at the famous terra cotta works in South Amboy, NJ....There is a tower that is not as high as the rest of the building, and abundance of bays, gables, porches, balconies and all the etceteras that go to break up and render picturesque the houses of today. There is a large force of men now engaged upon it." -Erie Daily Times, May 16, 1891.

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