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Presque Isle State Park
History
Early History: The Eriez Indians lived along the southern shores of Lake Erie and were the early inhabitants of the area. According to legend, the Eriez ventured far into the Lake to find the pllce where the sun sank into the waters. The spirits of the lake caused a great sorm to arise, so the Great Spirit stretched out his left arm into the lake to protect the Eriez from the storm. Where the sheltering arm of the Great Spirit had lain in the lake, a great sandbar in the shape of an arm-like peninsula was formed to act for all ages as a shelter and harbor of refuge for the Great Spirit's favorite children, the Eriez. It was not until the French occupied this part of the new world in the 1700s that it became known as Presque Isle, which translated means "almost an Island."
Presque Isle Lighthouse: The Presque Isle Lighthouse located near the Mill Road beaches is the second oldest lighthouse on Lake Erie. Built in 1872, the 57-foot high tower has a red brick dwelling at its base and is currently used as a park residence. The lighthouse is owned by the State, but it flashes a white light that is still maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. An education kiosk is adjacent to the property.
North Pier Light: Guiding ships into Erie Harbor since 1858, this square, metal pier head light is located at the end of the Erie Harbor Channel. Visitors can walk out to the light and watch the boat traffic in the harbor channel.
Perry Monument - Misery Bay: During the War of 1812, six of eleven ships commanded by Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s fleet were built at the mouth of Cascade Creek in Erie, PA. Little Bay at Presque Isle was the temporary home of the fleet. The shores and waters of Presque Isle protected the fleet during construction.
On September 10, 1813, in the Battle of Lake Erie (at Put-in-Bay near Sandusky, Ohio), Commodore Perry and his men defeated the British. During the battle Perry’s first flagship, the Lawrence, was heavily damaged requiring Perry to transfer to the Brig Niagara. He then re-engaged and defeated the British fleet using the Niagara as his flagship. After the battle, Perry and his men returned to Little Bay at Presque Isle to repair their fleet and seek medical treatment for the wounded. During the winter of 1812-1814, many of Perry’s crew suffered from poor living conditions and the harsh winters. Many died. In remembrance of those hardships during those winters, Little Bay was renamed Misery Bay by the surviving sailors.
The Perry Monument on Crystal Point was built in 1926 to commemorate this significant battle and honor those brave sailors who fought and died for their country.
A working replica of The Flagship Niagara has been built and is now the Flagship of Pennsylvania. It can be seen across the bay from Presque Isle where it is berthed at the PA Maritime Museum.
Waterworks Park: The city of Erie developed this area in search of a cleaner water source. In 1908, workers began placing a pipe from the lake to the settling basins. In 1917, the pumphouse was built. At that time it contained a steam boiler and engine. Water was drawn from the lake to the settling basins and then pumped across the bay to the city of Erie. This pumphouse and water supply system operated from 1917 until 1949. Currently the pumphouse is used as a zebra mussel control facility for Erie's water supply as well as a surrey and bike rental concession.
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