Bicentennial Tower

Bicentennial Tower
The Bicentennial Tower looking towards the bay on State Street
Map
General information
TypeObservation Tower
LocationDobbins Landing,
Erie, Pennsylvania,
 United States
Address1 State Street, Erie, PA, 16507
Coordinates42°8′20″N 80°5′30″W / 42.13889°N 80.09167°W / 42.13889; -80.09167
Construction startedDecember 26, 1995 (1995-12-26)
CompletedOctober 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
OpeningOctober 1996[1]
Cost$2.1 million[1] (equivalent to $4.08 million in 2023)[2]
OwnerErie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority
Height
Antenna spire187 feet (57 m)
Top floor137 feet (42 m)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators1
Design and construction
Architect(s)Weber Murphy Fox, Inc.[3]
Main contractorPerry Construction Group, Inc
References
[4]

The Bicentennial Tower is an American observation tower that is located in Erie, Pennsylvania and features panoramic views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and downtown Erie.[5]

History and architectural features

The tower was built in 1995 to commemorate the city's bicentennial year, 1996,[6] and is located at the end of State Street on Dobbins Landing.

This historic structure is 187 feet (57 m) tall and has two observation decks.[4]

A portion of the area around the tower was decorated with bricks engraved with the names and messages of individuals and groups that donated money in support of various community-benefit projects, including the tower's construction.[7][8][9]

On November 11, 1996, a time capsule to be opened in 2095 was buried at the base of the tower.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b Rhodes, Kara (March 11, 2006). "Bicentennial Tower to get paint job for $112,400". Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Rhodes, Kara (March 31, 2006). "Landmark vision". Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Bicentennial Tower". Erie Western PA Port Authority. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Rutter, Jon (June 11, 2000). "Erie similarities". Sunday News. Lancaster, PA. pp. A1, A6 – A7.
  6. ^ Stoneback, Diane (July 11, 2004). "Spectacular sunsets, sports and a state park add to the fun". The Morning Call. Allentown, PA. pp. F1 – F2.
  7. ^ "For Some, Bricks Too Permanent". The Latrobe Bulletin. Latrobe, PA. April 4, 2000. p. 6.
  8. ^ "Erie messages all too lasting". Kennebec Journal. Kennebec, ME. April 11, 2000. p. A2.
  9. ^ "There's no paving grace for outdated bricks". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, IL. April 10, 2000. p. A12.
  10. ^ Flowers, Kevin (October 14, 2021). "Erie's Bicentennial Tower, an iconic waterfront 'home run,' marks 25 years". Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021.