By Christine Lorraine Morgan, January 18, 2026

“Dedication of Erie’s New Dock, 1909. (The Pride of Erie) Erie, Pa.”

Erie’s Public Steamboat Landing was joyously dedicated on June 24, 1909. It was a gala event that was attended by thousands, presided over by PA Governor Stuart.

When such newsworthy happenings took place back in 1909 there was no TV, radio or internet to inform the public. Thus picture postcards were heavily relied upon to convey current events far and wide.

The postcards shown here were little pieces of news designed to traverse the miles and tell the story of Erie, PA to those who received them.

Top postcard shows the 1909 dedication, the others depict the port of Erie’s Public Steamboat Landing with ships visiting.

In 1966 the name was officially changed to “Public Dock,” and changed again to “Dobbins Landing” in 1987.

“Dedication of Erie’s New Dock, 1909 (The Pride of Erie) Erie, Pa.” ~ Postcard

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“Boat Landing, Erie, Pa.” ~ 1911 postcard

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“Public Steamboat Landing, Erie, Pa.” ~ postcard year unknown

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“Public Steamboat Landing, Erie, PA.” ~ 1934 postcard

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Public Dock in 1985, if you look closely the “L” is missing in “Public” and is painted on in white. The stealing of the “L” to create the word “Pub ic” was a hometown jokester phenomenon.

The “L” is noticeably missing in this March 1984 image, where the ice is melting on the bay.

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Dobbins Landing (formerly Public Steamboat Landing and Public Dock) in 2021 gives off a very different vibe with the addition of Erie’s Bicentennial Tower.