Edwina Tries… An Erie Black History Driving Tour

Contributed

A Trail of Shared Heritage is the perfect way to celebrate Black History Month

I know we're all feeling that Spring Fever coming on – a little extra sunshine has me itching to leave my coat at home and go explore. But I know it's only February, so what's a girl to do when she wants to get out of the house and celebrate Black History Month? Luckily, Erie legend Johnny Johnson's Shared Heritage Project (co-authored by historians Melinda Meyer and Chris Magoc) created a driving tour of 29 locations and an educational pamphlet outlining the history of each. So, I got into my 2009 Camry and hit the road.

The weather, on par for Erie in February, has been unpredictable, so I broke my tour up into three parts. Eventually, I'd like to make a full day of this drive that includes Lawrence Park and Harborcreek to the East, McKean and Edinboro to the South, and Girard to the West, as well as 21 locations in the city proper.

My personal favorite from this list is the Erie Cemetery, which is beautiful any time of year and the final resting place of Erie native and composer Harry T. Burleigh. But I have always been intrigued by the old stone house at East Lake Road and Water Street (the Crowley House) in Lawrence Park, and was so interested to learn more about its history as a probable Underground Railroad station, with a tunnel leading from the house to the bank of Four Mile Creek.

We in Erie love our ice cream so I was excited to find out more about James Franklin's Gem City Ice Cream which stood at 10th and French for nearly 40 years and John S. Hicks' Ice Cream Factory at 12th and State, which used steam power to mass-produce ice cream. The Hicks family also lived in the building.

The biggest revelation and most interesting part of the tour for me is a place that is sadly no longer standing: Hotel Pope at 1318 French St., which was touted as a music hot-spot for 50 years.

Interchangeably called the Pope Hotel, the business was primarily a nightclub and featured live entertainment by many famous singers and musicians, including Louis Armstrong, Pearl Bailey, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Jackie Wilson, Lena Horne, and Dina Washington, as well as regular nightly shows with a house band, emcee, and chorus line. The building was demolished in 1978.

The Shared Heritage Driving Tour is chock-full of interesting stories about Black men and women who shaped Erie's rich history. A collaborative effort by many local historians and historical societies over several years resulted in a beautiful, detailed, easy-to-use driving tour guide that will help you feel a little more connected to Erie's diverse ancestors. Take a little drive and celebrate Black History Month on the Trail of Shared Heritage.

More information at www.sharedheritage.org and www.eriehistory.org

Edwina is Erie's (self-proclaimed) biggest fan who loves being a tourist in our own town. If you have an idea of something new she should try you can email her at edwina.capozziello@gmail.com