Observation Tower in Pennsylvania, United States
Bicentennial Tower
The Bicentennial Tower looking towards the bay on State Street
Type Observation Tower Location
Dobbins Landing ,
Erie ,
Pennsylvania ,
United States Address 1 State Street, Erie, PA, 16507
Coordinates
42°8′20″N 80°5′30″W / 42.13889°N 80.09167°W / 42.13889; -80.09167 Construction started December 26, 1995 (1995-12-26 ) Completed October 19, 1996 (1996-10-19 ) Opening October 1996
[1] Cost $2.1 million
[1] (equivalent to $4.08 million in 2023)
[2] Owner Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority Antenna spire 187 feet (57 m) Top floor 137 feet (42 m) Lifts/elevators 1 Architect(s) Weber Murphy Fox, Inc.
[3] Main contractor Perry Construction Group, Inc
[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
^
a
b Rhodes, Kara (March 11, 2006).
"Bicentennial Tower to get paint job for $112,400" .
Erie Times-News . Retrieved July 11, 2007 .
^ 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 .
^ Rhodes, Kara (March 31, 2006).
"Landmark vision" . Erie Times-News . Retrieved July 11, 2007 .
^
a
b
"Bicentennial Tower" . Erie Western PA Port Authority . Retrieved April 6, 2024 .
^ Rutter, Jon (June 11, 2000).
"Erie similarities" . Sunday News . Lancaster, PA. pp. A1, A6–A7.
^ Stoneback, Diane (July 11, 2004).
"Spectacular sunsets, sports and a state park add to the fun" .
The Morning Call . Allentown, PA. pp. F1–F2.
^
"For Some, Bricks Too Permanent" . The Latrobe Bulletin . Latrobe, PA. April 4, 2000. p. 6.
^
"Erie messages all too lasting" .
Kennebec Journal . Kennebec, ME. April 11, 2000. p. A2.
^
"There's no paving grace for outdated bricks" .
The Pantagraph . Bloomington, IL. April 10, 2000. p. A12.
^ 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.
External links