Bicentennial Tower

Bicentennial Tower
The Bicentennial Tower looking towards the bay on State Street
Interactive map of Bicentennial Tower
General information
Type	Observation Tower
Location	1 State Street, Erie, PA, 16507, Dobbins Landing, Erie, Pennsylvania,   United States
Coordinates	42°8′20″N80°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 $4.21 million in 2024) [2]
Owner	Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority
Height
Antenna spire	187 feet (57 m)
Top floor	137 feet (42 m)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators	1
Design and construction
Architects	Weber Murphy Fox, Inc. [3]
Main contractor	Perry 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. 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. "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.

External links

• Visitors Guide to Erie, Pa