By Christine Lorraine Morgan ~ 2001, updated Feb. 20, 2025

NOTE: This quiz was assembled in 2001 when Google only offered hundreds of results, not hundreds of thousands like today. Please do you best to avoid looking up the answers.

THE QUESTIONS

1. The Warner Theatre has hosted many world-renowned performers through the years. Which stars have performed on the stage of this historic downtown spot?

a. Jimmy Durante, Peter Lawford, Dudley Moore, Patti Page

b. Harry Chapin, Lorne Green, Stella Stevens, Monte Hall

c. Beck, Pete Rose, Slim Whitman, Led Zeppelen

d. None of the above

2. What was the name of the downtown Erie “skyscraper” formerly located at the northeast corner of 12th and State streets?

a. Baldwin Building

b. Scott Tower

c. Commerce Building

d. All of the above

3. Inside of which downtown Erie landmark was this scene visible in 2003?

a. Park Place/Sherlock’s

b. Dickson Tavern 

c. Perry Historical Musem of Erie County

d. Candyworld/Book City

4. In which year did the flooding of downtown Erie by the powerful Mill Creek result in over 30 fatalities, including the city’s fire chief?

a. 1792

b. 1863

c. 1915

d. 1999

5. In the 1880s, riots and fights sometimes erupted on the Public Dock as thousands of people vied to board the ferry boat for a ride to Presque Isle.

a. True

b. False

6. Which department store occupied the northeast corner of 9th and Peach streets in the 1970s?

a. Grants

b. Macy’s

c. Kresge’s

d. Wal-Mart

7. The first court in Erie County was held in the “big room” of Buehler’s Hotel at the corner of French and 3rd streets.

a. True

b. False

8. On Dec. 7, 1853 at 10 a.m., what did an immense crowd of Erie citizens gather to  tear down?

a. A row of tattered pine trees near the bay

b. The “Great Wall of Erie” that once encircled the region

c. Railroad bridges over French and State streets

d. An old abandoned barn near the mouth of Mill Creek

9. In 1806 the first schoolhouse in the town of Erie was built on the southwest corner of 7th and Holland streets. This 18′ x 20′ hewed-log structure constructed by John Greenwood was paid for by contributions from local citizens. It cost a total of:

a. $3,000

b. $300

c. $30

d. $3

10. There are four downtown Erie city blocks which are comprised entirely of buildings from the 1800s.

a. True

b. False

THE ANSWERS

1. a ~ Jimmy Durante, Peter Lawford, Dudley Moore, Patti Page ~

In one of his movies from the 1930s, Durante makes an enthusiastic reference to “Erie P-A.”

2. c ~ Commerce Building ~ This sturdy multi-story structure was built around 1900, and demolished in 1989.

3. b. Dickson Tavern ~ Although this museum-esque scene of Commodore Perry is no longer visible through street-level windows, the good news is that this historic structure at 2nd and French Streets is still standing and in use. 

4. c. 1915 ~ This tragic flood resulted in Mill Creek being “tubed,” or encased in concrete beneath the ground from 30th Street through downtown Erie to the bay.

5. a. True ~ There were no viable thoroughfares on Presque Isle until a road to the Lighthouse was completed in 1928. Then, in 1932 a one-lane road from the Lighthouse to Perry Monument was built. In the 1800s the only way to reach Presque Isle was to cross the bay by ferry or other watercraft, thus the ferry in summertime was a popular vessel.

6. a. Grants ~ This well-known chain eventually expanded to Grant City at W. 12th and Pittsburgh Avenue before closing permanently.

7. a. True ~ After the “big room” at Buehler’s Hotel, “…the place of holding the court was changed to the log jail on Second street,” according to History of Erie County, 1884.

8. c. Railroad bridges over French and State streets ~ This “Railroad War” was triggered by a change in rail gauge that prompted indignation among local citizens. This variation ruined the local folks’ hope of having Erie become the lake terminus of the New York & Erie Railway.

9. c. $30 ~ The first teacher in Erie was Mr. Anderson, and his immediate successors were Mr. Blossom and Dr. Nathaniel Eastman. Included on the very first list of students in Erie, comprised of 40 boys and 30 girls, were Alexander Brewster, Dunning McNair, Zedekiah Curtis, Charles Reed, Edwin Kelso, William Dobbins, Benjamin Wallace, Richard McCreary, Hanna Rees, Sarah Bell, Zebinia Schantz and Mary Brewster.

10. b. false ~ There are numerous buildings from the 1800s still standing in downtown Erie, check them out sometime. There are many such structures located between 4th and 5th, and State and French Streets.

SCORING

8 – 10 correct – Excellent – You are extremely well-informed regarding the rich heritage of downtown Erie, and you deserve to be commended. Chances are you read about local history whenever you have a chance. Keep it up and pass it around every chance you get.

6 – 7 correct – Good – You possess a strong foundation of knowledge about Erie’s evolution. You care about this fair city and it shows in your spirit, attitude and everyday life. You are savvy enough to savor the flavor of historic Erie.

2 – 5 correct – Solid – Some of the answers were correct, which means your local knowledge is pretty good. Next time you’re downtown, take a walk around some of the historic buildings and inhale the history. But be careful, it’s contagious.

1 or less correct – Hang in there – The good news is that you have much to look forward to as you learn about Erie’s rich past, present and future. The fact that you took the quiz is definitely a historic step in the right direction.