Our West Bayfront Pre-Porch Fest Historic Bike Ride

This bike ride was originally written for Our West Bayfront Porch Fest 2024. At the scheduled time, there was a downpour and we were unable to safely ride. As I had a scheduling conflict this year, and since many of these homes will also be hosting a local musical act again this year (2025), I’mContinue reading “Our West Bayfront Pre-Porch Fest Historic Bike Ride”

Home Again in the OWB Inaugural Architectural Bike Ride 2021

This was the first historic bike ride I ever hosted/wrote and it was done as a part of Our West Bayfront‘s West Baywalk program, which sponsored themed walks throughout the neighborhood (especially during the pandemic), encouraging neighbors (as well as people from outside the area) to learn a little bit more about their city. ThisContinue reading “Home Again in the OWB Inaugural Architectural Bike Ride 2021”

3528 Sassafras St. // The Wallace Knox Meyer House

The home at 3528 Sassafras Street is one of the oldest homes in the city of Erie and was built at a time when it would have been located at the far edge of the southern portion of the city, and was at the time within the border of Millcreek Township. The original portion ofContinue reading “3528 Sassafras St. // The Wallace Knox Meyer House”

1031/33 State Street :: The Lincoln Building

The building on the northeast corner of 11th and State was built around 1905 by local entrepreneur, Jacob Roth. This building was constructed around the same time as a number of other buildings in this section of downtown Erie by the same man including: the Roth building (only ever described as being on the NorthContinue reading “1031/33 State Street :: The Lincoln Building”

3102 Glenwood Park Ave :: The Ehler Benedict-Miller House

While the address for this home is 3102 Glenwood Park Avenue, the home itself is merely visible from Glenwood Park Ave, perched up on the bluff, surrounded by woods, it is in one of the most unique spots in the city. It is actually more accessible from Kellogg Street, rounding out the dead end streetContinue reading “3102 Glenwood Park Ave :: The Ehler Benedict-Miller House”

251 W 21st St // The Felgemaker-Huff House

The home at 251 W 21st Street was built around 1872, which is the same year that Augustus Bernard Felgemaker and his wife, Julia Dickerman Felgemaker, moved to Erie from Buffalo and brought along their Pipe Organ production business. The company was known then as the Derrick and Felgemaker Pipe Organ Company and at oneContinue reading “251 W 21st St // The Felgemaker-Huff House”

114 East 34th Street // The Vance Nemenz House

The bungalow at 114 E 34th Street was my childhood home, where I grew up, in the neighborhood of my youth. I have strong memories of playing in Baker’s Field behind my backyard, walking to Jefferson School playground with my cousins and neighborhood friends, hosting our annual “Don’t Let the End of Summer Be AContinue reading “114 East 34th Street // The Vance Nemenz House”

The Richards Hamilton House // 220 West 9th Street

The home at 220 W 9th Street was originally built by Captain John Stevens Richards and Adelaide Philadelphia McAllaster Richards around 1888. The family’s original home was 214 W 9th (where the Lodge at Sass stands currently). John and Adelaide’s daughter Mary actually married her neighbor (from across the street at 205 W 9th), GeorgeContinue reading “The Richards Hamilton House // 220 West 9th Street”

The Streuber House :: 231 W 21st St

The Italianate/Colonial Revival Victorian style home at 231 W 21st St was built for Emil and Mary Streuber in 1882.  Emil Streuber was born in Alsace, France in 1846 and came to Erie with his parents shortly after the Civil War.  His family established a Tannery business (Streuber Brothers Tannery) and had their headquarters onContinue reading “The Streuber House :: 231 W 21st St”

The Wells House :: 337 W 10th St

This Italianate home on the south side of W 10th Street was built ca. 1870 and would remain in the same family until 1991 (121 years). It was originally occupied by Captain John L. Wells and his wife S. Adelia Chambers-Wells. John was born May 20th, 1841 in Harborcreek to Jarvis Wells, who was aContinue reading “The Wells House :: 337 W 10th St”