Musician Harry T. Burleigh Was Born in Erie

Harry T. Burleigh, an internationally known baritone vocalist and musical arranger, was born in Erie, PA on December 2, 1866. Unfortunately, his former home at 137 East 3rd Street was demolished to make space for a parking lot. The Harry T. Burleigh Street Marker was dedicated on May 16, 2013 in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at Erie City Hall.

According to the Erie Dispatch, Harry Burleigh graduated from Erie High School and moved to New York City to study music after borrowing $25 from Lewis Adams of the First Presbyterian Church. Burleigh won a scholarship from the National Conservatory of Music and later studied under composer Anton Dvorak. Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School in Erie is named in his honor. 

Burleigh was a very interesting man. He learned traditional African-American spirituals from his grandfather, a former slave, and later performed these songs throughout the world. The book "Hard Trials" by Anne Key Simpson chronicles the life of Harry T. Burleigh, who died in 1949, in great detail. Click here http://www.afrovoices.com/burleigh.html to learn more about Mr. Burleigh and hear a sample of his music. The Blasco Memorial Library in Erie has a CD called "Deep River: Songs and Spirituals of Harry T. Burleigh."

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

Pulakos Drive-In Grand Opening 1959

Remember back when you could pull up in your T-Bird and order chocolate from the comfort of your car? Pulakos opened the first store in the tri-state area with drive-in car service on May 4, 1959 at West 26th and Elmwood in Erie, PA.

The Pulakos brand goes back to the early 1900s. The business moved to 926 State Street during World War I, hence the name Pulakos 926 Candies. 

When this ad was published in the Erie Daily Times on opening day, Pulakos had four locations: 926 State St., 26th and Parade St., Buffalo Road in Wesleyville and 26th and Elmwood. 

Opening day specials included a free gold box chocolate sampler and a free half-pound of fudge with each purchase of a one-pound box of chocolate. The new store opened just in time for Mother's Day. 

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

Old Shrine Club on East 8th Street in Erie PA

This majestic house at 124 East 8th Street in Erie, PA was originally the home and office of Dr. Charles Brandes. Dr. Brandes died in 1899 at the ripe old age of 81 years; his wife died in 1905. The Shrine Club acquired the house after her death and converted it into a club. 

"Early in 1908 the club purchased the fine semi-modern residence of the late Dr. Brandes on East Eighth street. Possession was taken immediately and in feverish haste the necessary alterations were undertaken, for it was desired to  have it in readiness for the fifty-fifth annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, to be held in Erie during the last week in May, 1908. It was completed in time and its formal opening was a feature of that important Masonic event."-Twentieth Century History of Erie County, PA by John Miller.

The old Shriners' Club shown in the postcard above was destroyed by fire on February 12, 1980. None of the houses shown in the postcard exist today. The site was a surface parking lot for many years. A parking garage is currently under construction on this lot, which is across the street from the Erie Insurance Arena (formerly the Erie Civic Center Tullio Arena). The Zem Zem Shrine then moved from East 8th Street to a much larger facility on West 38th Street in Millcreek Township.

Please consider donating to the Shriners Hospital for Children- Erie: http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/Hospitals/Locations/Erie.aspx

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Scolio Fancy Fruits at the Central Market

Old Time Erie: Scolio Fancy Fruits photo courtesy of Joe Scolio.

The Scolio family has been in the fruit business for nearly 100 years. Antonio Scolio, shown in the photo above on the left, was the pioneer in this business. He stands proudly behind his display in the Central Market at 16th and State Street in Erie, PA. This shot was taken in the 1920s. Antonio's son, Anthony Scolio, is shown on the right. A. A. Scolio sold fancy fruits such as apples, bananas and pineapples. Scolio also had stands in the Parade Street Market and the Twelfth Street Market. Antonio's great-grandson, Joe Scolio, continues the tradition with Scolio Fruit Baskets at 32nd and Cherry.

Here is a photo of the exterior of the Central Market shortly before it was demolished: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2012/06/central-market-on-state-street-in-erie.html

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