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]
| Bicentennial Tower | |
|---|---|
 The Bicentennial Tower looking towards the bay on State Street | |
 | |
| General information | |
| 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 |
| Construction started | December 26, 1995 |
| Completed | October 19, 1996 |
| Opening | October 1996[1] |
| Cost | $2.1 million[1] (equivalent to $4.08 million in 2023)[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 | |
| Architect(s) | Weber Murphy Fox, Inc.[3] |
| Main contractor | Perry Construction Group, Inc |
| References | |
| [4] | |
History and architectural features edit
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 edit
- ^ 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.