Perry Square facts for kids
Perry Square is a special park in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. It was designed by a famous surveyor named Andrew Ellicott. The park is split into two parts by State Street, which also divides Erie into its east and west sides.
The park is surrounded by other streets: French Street to the east, Peach Street to the west, and Park Row North and South. These streets help carry traffic around the park. In the western part of the park, you'll find a nice gazebo. In the eastern part, there's a beautiful fountain.
Many important buildings are right next to Perry Square. These include Erie City Hall, the US Federal Court House, the Erie County Courthouse, and Gannon University. You can also find the old Erie County Public Library and the offices of Erie Insurance Group nearby.
Since 2008, Perry Square has been home to the Erie Farmers' Market during the summer. Local farmers come here to sell fresh fruits and vegetables every week. Sometimes, music is played from the gazebo, making the market a fun place to visit.
There are plans to make the park even better. Some ideas include adding a stage on the west side and updating the fountain on the east side. New lights and tree planting were finished in 2008. The city also received money to help with these improvements.
Statues and Memorials
Perry Square is home to several statues and memorials that honor important people and events.
Honoring Heroes
- A statue of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry stands at the east end of the park. He was a hero of the War of 1812 and led the US Navy in the Battle of Lake Erie. This statue was put up in 1985, 200 years after Perry was born.
- A statue of Eben Brewer is also in the park. He was the first mail agent for the United States in Cuba. Postal workers put up this statue in 1907 to remember his service.
- At the west end of the park, there's a statue of a Union soldier and a sailor. This memorial honors people from Erie County who died fighting in the American Civil War to keep the country together.
- A memorial for Anthony Wayne, a hero from the American Revolutionary War, can be found here. It has two cannons on a stone and was put up by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1902.
- There's also a stone base without a statue. It says it was given to the City of Erie in 1893 by Geo. D. Selden. This base might be connected to a local iron works company.
Remembering Service and Sacrifice
- Near the Civil War memorial, you'll find plaques and memorials for those who served in many wars. These include World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Operation Desert Storm. There are also plaques for those who died or were missing in action (MIA) or prisoners of war (POW).
- Other memorials list the names of police officers and firefighters from Erie who died while serving their community.
- A stone put up by organized labor in 1989 recognizes the hard work of men and women in Erie County. It celebrates their past, present, and future contributions to the community.
