Historical Markers in
Erie County, Pennsylvania

21st Century Erie A Century of Recreation A Climate For War A Driving Force A Memorial to Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in this Vicinity A Walk in the Park African American Sailors in the Battle of Lake Erie Alexis de Tocqueville Almy Hall American Fort And the Misery beginsÂ… Anthony Wayne Ariel Hall Avenue of Flags Bayfront Metamorphosis Boston Store Livery & Garage Brewery Lane Brewster House Brigadier General August R. "Gus" Pede Bryan Bell Memorial Playground Budny Beach Caledonia Hall Captain C. V. Gridley Captain Daniel Dobbins Cascade Creek Cashier's House Champlin Hall Charles Vernon Gridley Circus History Civil War Memorial Climax Locomotives Col. Strong Vincent Colonel Philip Cochran Colt Way Colt's Station Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument Conrad-Brevellier Houses Corry State Fish Hatchery Creation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission Dedicated to Those in Northwestern PA. Wounded in All Wars Dedicated to those who served in Operation Desert Storm Dedicated to Those Who Served in the World War Dedicated to Those Who Served in World War II Dobbins Landing Dobbins Lane Don't Give Up the Ship Drake Well Park Eagle Hotel Eben Brewer Edinboro State College Edison Fountain Elliott Hall Erected to the Memory of the Defenders of Our Country and Flag Erie Erie 9-11 Memorial Erie Area Native Americans Erie County Erie County Courthouse Facade Restoration Project Erie County Soldiers' Monument Erie County World War II Memorial Erie Extension Canal Erie Extension Canal Erie Heritage Erie Land Lighthouse Erie Land Lighthouse Erie Land Lighthouse Erie Land Lighthouse Keepers Erie Steam Bakery Erie's Industrial Explosion Erie's Land Lighthouse Erie's Maritime Heritage Expanding Erie Fallen & Missing Comrades Fighting for Peanuts: The Gauge War Fishing on the Sweet Sea Five Courses Thick Flag Display Flagship Niagara Fort de la Presqu'ile Fort de la Presqu'ile Fort Le Boeuf Fort Le Boeuf Fort Le Boeuf Memorial Fort Presque Isle Fort Presque Isle Fort Sur La Rivière Aux Boeufs French Creek French Fort de la Presqu'isle - 1753 Freshwater Fishing Capital From the Bay to the Battle General Anthony Wayne General Anthony Wayne Blockhouse General Charles Manning Reed Mansion George Washington Giant Gondola Wheel Gideon Ball House Gifford-Blanchfield House Harborcreek Area Veterans Memorial Harry Kellar Harry T. Burleigh Hero of Gettysburg Historic Erie Flagpole Horace Greeley Ida M. Tarbell In Commemoration of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski In Memory of Those Who Paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the World War Industrial Erie Inez Mecusker James N. Thompson Land Lighthouse Park John Nelson Joshua M. Merrill Judah Colt House Kennedy Double House Kennedy Row Houses King Pavilion Korean War Memorial Korean War Memorial Lafayette Visit Lawrence Hall Leo's Landing Little Italy Main Library Making of the Flag "Don't Give Up The Ship" Meet Erie's New Americans Michael Cannavino Miracles On Maple Hill Near This Site Niagara Hall Northwest PA Purple Heart Memorial Ohio Hall Oil Creek Railroad Old French Road Old State Line Old State Line Old State Line Old State Line Oliver Hazard Perry Operation Desert Storm Memorial O'Donnell House Packet Hall Paul Allman Siple Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania National Guard Perry 200 Commemoration Perry Monument: A Beacon of the Community Perry Square Perry's Shipyards POW-MIA Preparing For Battle Presque Isle Presque Isle and the Bay Presque Isle Portage Pro Deo Et Patria Russian Town / Pycckое Cоседство Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Scorpion Hall Site of Fort Le Boeuf Somers Hall Son of the Sea Sr. Bernard Sheridan The Ariel, Porcupine, Scorpion and Tigress The Barracks The Bell Tower and Carillon The Cascade Street Docks The Erie Extension Canal The Erie Stone The Flashlight The Lawrence and Niagara The Loneliest Place on Earth The Native Legend of Presque Isle: "Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit" The North Pier Head Light The Old Road The Peninsula's First Roadway The Perry Monument The Pump House The U.S. Navy Seabee Veterans of America This Fireplace Tibbals House Tornado of May 31, 1985 Tribute to a Hero Trippe Hall Turner Hall U.S. Brig Niagara USS Michigan Anchor Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Vietnam Era Conflict Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vietnam War Memorial von Buseck House We Owe So Much To So Few William Leverett Morrison World War I Memorial Yarnall Hall
The famous physicist Albert Einstein briefly lived in Pennsylvania, taking a position at Princeton University in nearby New Jersey in 1933.
Erie County, Pennsylvania has a rich history shaped by its geography and location in North Western Pennsylvania. The area was originally home to Native American tribes such as the Erie, who gave the region its name. The first European explorers, including French and British traders, began to arrive in the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, the area that is now Erie County became part of the larger region known as the Pennsylvanian frontier. The French and Indian War and the American Revolution further shaped the history of the county, as forts and military outposts were established to protect the area from conflict. These events also led to a significant influx of settlers, mostly of European descent, who established farms and towns in the region.

Erie County's strategic location on the shores of Lake Erie made it an ideal location for trade and industry in the 19th century. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected the region to the Atlantic Ocean and led to a boom in shipping and commerce. The county's natural resources, including iron ore and coal, also contributed to its economic growth. The establishment of the city of Erie as a port and industrial center further solidified the county's position as an important hub.

In the 20th century, Erie County experienced both economic prosperity and challenges. The decline of the manufacturing industry in the latter half of the century led to job losses and economic downturn, but the area has made efforts to diversify its economy. Today, Erie County is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, including Presque Isle State Park, and its vibrant arts and culture scene.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Erie County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1795: Erie County is established as part of the Northwest Territory.
  • 1800: The first settlers arrive in the area.
  • 1803: Erie County becomes part of the newly created Ohio Territory.
  • 1805: The town of Erie is founded.
  • 1812: The War of 1812 begins, and Erie County becomes a key location for naval activities.
  • 1839: The first courthouse is built in Erie County.
  • 1877: The Erie Extension Canal is completed, connecting Lake Erie to Pittsburgh.
  • 1881: The first electric streetcar line is established in Erie County.
  • 1892: Presque Isle State Park is established.
  • 1917: The United States enters World War I, leading to increased industrial activity in Erie County.
  • 1938: The first water treatment plant is built in Erie County.
  • 1959: The Bayfront Parkway is completed, improving transportation and access to Lake Erie.
  • 1983: The Erie Land and Water Transportation System is designated a National Historic Landmark.
  • 2018: Erie County celebrates its bicentennial anniversary.