Named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, Perry Square is defined by a legacy that permeates across every era of Erie, Pennsylvania. With numerous notable monuments as well as various places for the community to gather and connect, it highlights what it can mean for a landmark to cultivate engagement that spans space and time.
Connected to the Origin of Erie
Perry Square was originally part of the plan for the city of Erie which was laid out in 1795. Thought it had been informally connected to Commodore Perry and known as “Central Park,” in 1911, on the eve of the centennial celebration of his victory in the Battle of Lake Erie, the park was formally named Perry Square. A statue of Commodore Perry was erected on the bicentennial of his birthday in 1985.
A series of courthouses helped to define the original space, but they were cleared out in 1866. Fountains were first installed in 1868 but the Edison Electric Fountain that was installed in 1929 came to dominate the square. In 1872, the Soldiers and Sailors monument was erected in honor of the Erie County residents who gave their lives to preserve the Union.
More recent installations include a stone erected by organized labor in 1989 recognizing the contributions of working men and women of Erie County to their communities. Two large memorials list fallen police officers and firefighters while numerous smaller memorials and markers connected to more recent conflicts can be found near the Soldiers and Sailors monument.
Between 2008 and 2017, Perry Square received a multi-phased renovation that included a new Pavilion, renovated Edition Fountain, redesigned sidewalks, corner gateways and new electrical lighting systems. Many of these features define the current version of Perry Square that has enabled it to become a hub of the community on multiple levels.
Community Connections
The Perry Square District is the hub of major outdoor events centered on Perry Square. It is also home to key government and private economic engines in the downtown area, showcasing how Perry Square has helped to define the entire neighborhood in a positive manner. Numerous businesses have utilized the identity that Perry Square provides.
The Perry Square Alliance was founded to improve and promote Perry Square by cultivating the creativity, energy and edge that have made the area the center of Erie’s commercial district for over a century. The group is committed to maintaining Perry Square as the focal point of downtown Erie for the benefit of all its citizens.
Perry Square has hosted the Erie Farmers’ Market since it moved from Griswold Park in the summer of 2008 due to major construction. Additionally, the greenspace and Pavilion support organized and impromptu events and gatherings, providing the community with a space to connect no matter their size or purpose. It is also directly connected to the Great Lakes Seaway Trail that exposes a much wider audience to the Eric community through Perry Square.
All of these elements further connect Perry Square to the legacy of Erie that is about so much more than any one individual or landmark. The entire space continues to evolve and be redefined in a way that connects the park to the past and future for audiences all across the region.
Connecting to the Legacy of Erie
The ambience that Perry Square has enabled for the entire district that surrounds it has helped it to become a historic and civic center of Erie. Doing so is the result of an active effort to development individual monuments that are part of a place for people to connect with one another. All of these elements are tied to the legacy of the region while also cultivating connection with the community in present.
