Erie Centennial Festivities Open

The Erie Centennial Festivities began with a bang on August 11, 1951, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Erie, PA. The celebration made the front page of the Erie Dispatch. Look closely at events that shaped the history of Erie, including the Wayne Blockhouse, the U.S. Brig Niagara, Presque Isle Lighthouse, the Custom House, the Erie Extension Canal, the Millcreek Flood, Vet's Hospital, the Erie Stadium (Veteran's Memorial Stadium) and a salute to veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict. 

Events were reported in the Erie Dispatch and WICU TV, shown in the center. 

I'm not sure why it's included here, but the Atomic Bomb is illustrated on the right. Any theories on this one?

Here's a souvenir from the Erie Centennial: http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/05/erie-centennial-felt-hat.html

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

Erie Foundry and Bucyrus-Erie Shovel

The West 12th Street corridor in Erie, PA was a force to be reckoned with during the age of steam power. Bucyrus-Erie was located on the northeast corner of 12th and Weschler. Look closely and you'll see a man in the cab of a Bucyrus Erie half-yard Drag Shovel on the left side of the photo. The Erie Foundry Company, at 1253 West 12th Street, is visible in the distance to the right of the cab. This photo was taken in 1929. Erie Foundry Co. was across the street from Bucyrus-Erie on the south side of Twelfth St.

Erie Foundry Co. was formed in 1895 and originally made iron castings. It purchased a steam hammer business from a Pittsburgh Company in 1903. Business picked up when the company began to concentrate on the production of steam hammers. John McDonald was the president and treasurer of Erie Foundry in 1929. D. A. Currie was vice-president and general manager and Donald McDonald was secretary.

"The Erie Foundry devotes its entire capacity and 180 employees to the making of steam hammers that are battering steel into forgings in every state in the union and every progressive, civilized country in the world. Its prominence and productivity has brought to the City of Erie a thriving trade that brought a wartime gross business peak of $8,500,000 in one year." -Erie Dispatch May 1949.

Erie Foundry Company changed its name to Erie Press Systems. They manufacture hydraulic and mechanical presses. 

I think the large building on the right has been demolished. There is a similar building with three arches one block east (on the opposite side of West 12th Street) that was once the home of Ball Engine Works.

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

Happy Birthday Old Time Erie

Old Time Erie photo of the Brig Niagara by Debbi Lyon.

It seems like yesterday when Old Time Erie was hatched. Hard to believe a year has passed. Where did the time go? I had no idea how much that so many people loved Erie history. Thanks for sending compliments and suggesting story ideas. A big thanks to all the people who have made this possible! If you've ever contributed a picture or a postcard, give yourself a pat on the back. If you've been meaning to say hello or send something in, here's your chance.

Here's to the next chapter in the people's history of Erie, PA!

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

Erie Centennial Felt Hat

One of the fun things about writing a blog about Erie history is helping people identify cool things that they find in their attics. I get some pretty interesting questions and pictures of Erie memorabilia via e-mail.

Question: "When I was a little girl, in the late 40s or probably the early 50s, there was a centennial celebration at which Mom & Dad bought me a hat. I am unable to find the year. Perhaps you can help me. It is black felt and sort of a Peter Pan style. There used to be a large feather on the side."

Answer: Well, Lynette, it looks like you have a souvenir from the Erie Centennial, a weeklong celebration that took place in Downtown Erie August 11-18, 1951. Erie had existed as a borough since the early 1800s. It became an incorporated city in 1851. In the old days, the city would throw a party at the drop of a hat- huge celebrations- complete with parades, marching bands, plays and pageants. Many of the events centered around Perry Square.

If you have an Erie item that could someday show up on Antique's Roadshow, take a picture and I'll research it. Send it by e-mail to: dlyontamer@gmail.com

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