Harry Kellar (1849-1922). Known as the 'Dean of American Magicians,' he was mentor and friend to Harry Houdini. Considered the first American magician to become an international star, he performed extensively on five continents, impressing audiences with his elegant theatrical illusions for more than 40 years. He popularized the Vanishing Birdcage effect and perfected the levitation illusion. Born in Erie, he returned to perform many times. His boyhood home stood nearby.
Griswold Park, S side of W 13th St., betw. Peach & Sassafras Sts., Erie, PA, United States
Cashier's House. Erected as a residence for the cashier of a branch of the U.S. Bank of Pennsylvania, which occupied the adjacent building. Completed 1839. Under a series of new owners after 1849.
417 State St., Erie, PA, United States
Erie. The State's only lake port, bought with Erie Triangle, 1792. Laid out in 1795 by Ellicott and Irvine. Site of French, British and U.S. forts. Perry built his fleet here in 1813.
Peach St. (US 19) near Robison Rd., Erie, PA, United States
Erie. The State's only lake port, bought with Erie Triangle, 1792. Laid out in 1795 by Ellicott and Irvine. Site of French, British, and U.S. forts. Perry built his fleet here in 1813.
U.S. 20, Erie, PA, United States
Col. Philip Cochran. WW II hero. Cochran distinguished himself as a daring pilot commanding P-40 fighter planes in N. Africa and as the colorful leader of the 1st Air Commandos during the invasion of Burma. He became a colonel at the age of 33 and earned such honors as the Distinguished Service Medal and British Distinguished Service Order. The Erie native inspired cartoon characters Flip Corkin in "Terry & the Pirates" and Gen. Philerie in "Steve Canyon."
Erie County WWII Memorial State Street and Glenwood Parkway, Erie, PA, United States
Captain C.V. Gridley. Grave of Captain Gridley, commander of Dewey's flagship Olympia in the Battle of Manila Bay, 1898, is located in this cemetery. Dewey's order, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," opened the battle.
Lakeside Cemetery, E. Lake Rd., Erie, PA, United States
Canal Basin. End of Erie Extension of the Pennsylvania Canal system. Work begun here July 4, 1838. Canal formally opened Dec. 5, 1844, by arrival of "R.S. Reed" with Mercer County coal, and "Queen of the West" with passengers.
N end of State St., Erie, PA, United States
Anthony Wayne. A restored blockhouse marking the site of American Fort Presque Isle and the original burial place of General Wayne stands on the Soldiers and Sailors Home grounds near the foot of this street. Wayne died there Dec. 15, 1796.
E. 6th St. (Alternate Pa. 5) at Ash St., Erie, PA, United States
African Americans in Battle of Lake Erie. These skilled crewmen were among those who enabled Oliver Hazard Perry to defeat and capture a British squadron, Sept. 10,1813. Their participation--critical to victory--secured a place for African Americans in the region's history.
Erie Maritime Museum at Niagara Plaza, 150 E. Front St., Erie, PA, United States
John Nelson (1917-1959). Chief Steward & President, United Electrical Workers Union Local 506, 1942-1959. Accused of McCarthy-era Communist activity, he was the first union leader fired by General Electric, 1953. He defended workers' civil liberties while UE represented him in court. He died prematurely at 42.
3923 Main St., Erie, PA, United States
Harry T. Burleigh. Eminent American baritone, composer, and arranger, was born 3 blocks north in 1866. He arranged "Deep River" and other spirituals, and set to music poems by Walt Whitman. Was a student and associate of Dvorak. He died in 1949.
E. 6th St. and French St., Erie, PA, United States
Fort Presque Isle. Two forts stood four blocks north. French fort, built by Marin, 1753, abandoned, 1759. British fort, built by Col. Bouquet, 1760, and captured by Pontiac's Indians, 1763. The French Road to Fort LeBoeuf began there.
6th & Parade Sts., Erie, PA, United States
Flagship Niagara. This restored vessel was used by Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry as his flagship in the Battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813 after the Lawrence was disabled. From the Niagara's deck Perry sent the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."
Erie Maritime Museum at Niagara Plaza, 150 E Front St., Erie, PA, United States
Erie Land Lighthouse. The first lighthouse to shine on the Great Lakes. Created to aid navigation and promote shipping, the original 20-ft. beacon (1818) and the subsequent brick tower (1858) were built upon unstable soil. The sandstone tower (1867) was the 3rd built here.
At site of lighthouse, 2 Lighthouse Street, Erie, PA, United States
Erie County. Formed March 12, 1800 from Allegheny County. Named for Lake Erie, which took its own name from the Erie Indians. Erie, the county seat, was laid out 1795; made a city in 1851. Ships of Perry's fleet which won the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie were built here.
Erie County Courthouse, W. 6th St. between Peach & Sassafras, Erie, PA, United States
Sr. Bernard Sheridan. Pioneer nurse anesthetist. Born Jeanne Sheridan in Ireland, Sister Bernard entered Saint Vincent Hospital to study nursing in 1877 and developed expertise in anesthesiology. Her work was a landmark in nurse anesthesia education programs nationwide.
Saint Vincent Hospital, 232 West 25th Street, Erie, PA, United States
Perry's Shipyards. Perry's ships, the Lawrence, the Niagara, and the Ariel, were built in spring, 1813, at the foot of this street. His warehouses, blockhouse, and lookout station were also located there.
6th & Cascade Sts., Erie, PA, United States
Paul Allman Siple (1908-1968). One of the world's foremost authorities on Antarctica, he was honored internationally for his work as scientist, explorer, inventor, geographer, diplomat, and author. An Eagle Scout and NIAGARA Sea Scout from Erie, Siple was selected from all US Boy Scouts to accompany R.E. Byrd on his 1928-30 Antarctic Expedition. In 1957, he led the first team ever to winter at the South Pole. Siple designed all-climate army gear and devised the "Wind Chill Index."
At front entrance of Erie Maritime Museum, 150 E Front St., Erie, PA, United States
Old French Road. Here the modern highway leaves the course of the Presque Isle Portage, part of the historic Venango Trail. The French Road, built in 1753, following an Indian path, turned down into the valley.
Old French Rd. (PA 97), Erie, PA, United States
Erie. The State's only lake port, bought with Erie Triangle, 1792. Laid out in 1795 by Ellicott and Irvine. Site of French, British and U.S. forts. Perry built his fleet here in 1813.
U.S. 20, Erie, PA, United States
Captain Daniel Dobbins. Erie merchant mariner, naval officer, born in Mifflin County. Captured by the British during the War of 1812, Dobbins escaped, went to Washington to report the fall of Forts Mackinac and Detroit. Appointed a sailing master in the US Navy, he returned to Erie to supervise the construction of a squadron of warships later commanded by O.H. Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie. Dobbins served in the US Navy and Revenue Cutter Service for thirty years.
Dobbins Landing, foot of State St., Erie, PA, United States