Spencer Townhouse Apartments -1868

Client: Historic Erie Restorations
Location: 527-529 West 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building — c.1868; Renovation - Planning stage
National Register of Historic Places Listing: Significant building in the West Sixth Street Historic District.

The Second Empire-style townhouses were completed in 1868 for Judah Colt Spencer (1813-1885) as residences for his two unmarried daughters, Frances Laura Spencer (1838-1924) and Lavania Deborah Spencer (1840-1929).

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Judah Colt Spencer came to Erie in 1829 to take a clerical position in the land office of the Pennsylvania Population Company, managed by his uncle, Judah Colt, who was well known in connection with the early history of Erie. After Judah Colt passed away in October 1832, he took over his uncle's business. He remained in general supervision of the company's affairs until he brought the enterprise to a close about twenty years later. During this period, he played a pivotal role in the sale of thousands of acres of land, significantly contributing to the development of northern Pennsylvania. He was secretary and treasurer of the Erie & Northeast Railroad Company, until its consolidation with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company.

In the mid 1850s, he was one of twelve citizens who formed an association and collectively raised funds to purchase what is now the Erie Cemetery. He initially served as the first secretary of the association before becoming its manager and eventually its president, a position he held for 20 consecutive years. In 1852, Judah C. Spencer entered the banking business in Erie and founded the First National Bank of Erie, which was the twelfth bank in the United States to be incorporated under the new law authorizing national banks. Spencer served as the first president of the bank and held this position for 22 years until his death.

The building was listed as 527-531 W. Sixth Street (Spencer Double Tenant House) on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a significant building in the West Sixth Street Historic District in 1984.