Client: The City of Erie
Location: 571-601 State St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original layout — 1795; Redesign complete — 2018
Andrew Ellicott arrived in Erie in June of 1795 to survey and create a plan for Erie that included a park at the center, now known as Perry Square. A revised plan for Erie was created by John Nolan in 1913. Some of Nolan’s improvements to Perry Square were included in this master plan and design.
The improvements were completed in four phases over eight years. The first phase included creation of elliptical and circular paths and the lantern gateways, in addition to electrical and pedestrian lighting improvements. The second phase included the addition of a new pavilion in West Perry Square. The third phase was dedicated to improving the historic Thomas Edison electric fountain, installed c.1929, and its pump house. The fourth phase included decorative brick fencing along the pedestrian paths and plaques commemorating the historic aspects of the park.
