Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
1854 - Erie

Erie, a post-borough, port of entry, capital of Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the lake of the same name, 90 miles S. W. from Buffalo, 129 miles N. from Pittsburg, and 310 miles by turnpike from Harrisburg. Lat. 42° 8' N. , Lon. 80° 10' W. It is pleasantly situated opposite the island of Presque Isle, formerly a peninsula. The harbor, which is one of the largest and best on the lake, is 31 miles long, and over 1 mile wide, and from 9 to 25 feet deep the whole length. Large sums have been expended in improving and fortifying the harbor, and in erecting a lighthouse. The island is 4 miles long and 1 mile wide. Erie is an important place of outfit for vessels of the United States, and is remarkable for its flourishing trade. The Erie Extension canal connects it with the Ohio river and Beaver; several railways extend to Cleveland, Buffalo, &c. It is the terminus of the Sunbury and Erie railroad, now in course of construction, with a branch leading to Pittsburg. Eric contains a court house, a bank, about 10 churches, a fine hotel, an academy, and four newspaper offices. About 20,000,0000 feet of lumber are received here annually by canal, and over 80,000 tons of stone coal. The reported value of imports and exports in 1851, was $3,832,852. The canal affords extensive water-power, which is employed in mills of different kinds. The shipping of the district, (Presque Isle,) June 30th, 1852, amounted to an aggregate of 8122 tons, enrolled and licensed, of which 5850 tons were employed in steam navigation. Incorporated in 1805. Population in 1840, 3412; in 1850, 5850.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States, 1854

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