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Bicentennial Tower

Coordinates: 42°8′20″N 80°5′30″W / 42.13889°N 80.09167°W / 42.13889; -80.09167
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Bicentennial Tower
The Bicentennial Tower looking towards the bay on State Street
Map
General information
TypeObservation Tower
LocationDobbins Landing,
Erie, Pennsylvania,
 United States
Address1 State Street, Erie, PA, 16507
Coordinates42°8′20″N 80°5′30″W / 42.13889°N 80.09167°W / 42.13889; -80.09167
Construction startedDecember 26, 1995 (1995-12-26)
CompletedOctober 19, 1996 (1996-10-19)
OpeningOctober 1996[1]
Cost$2.1 million[1] (equivalent to $4.08 million in 2023)[2]
OwnerErie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority
Height
Antenna spire187 feet (57 m)
Top floor137 feet (42 m)
Technical details
Lifts/elevators1
Design and construction
Architect(s)Weber Murphy Fox, Inc.[3]
Main contractorPerry Construction Group, Inc
References
[4]

The Bicentennial Tower is an American observation tower that is located in Erie, Pennsylvania and features panoramic views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park, and downtown Erie.[5]

History and architectural features

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The tower was built in 1995 to commemorate the city's bicentennial year, 1996,[6] and is located at the end of State Street on Dobbins Landing.

This historic structure is 187 feet (57 m) tall and has two observation decks.[4]

A portion of the area around the tower was decorated with bricks engraved with the names and messages of individuals and groups that donated money in support of various community-benefit projects, including the tower's construction.[7][8][9]

On November 11, 1996, a time capsule to be opened in 2095 was buried at the base of the tower.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b Rhodes, Kara (March 11, 2006). "Bicentennial Tower to get paint job for $112,400". Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ Rhodes, Kara (March 31, 2006). "Landmark vision". Erie Times-News. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Bicentennial Tower". Erie Western PA Port Authority. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Rutter, Jon (June 11, 2000). "Erie similarities". Sunday News. Lancaster, PA. pp. A1, A6–A7.
  6. ^ Stoneback, Diane (July 11, 2004). "Spectacular sunsets, sports and a state park add to the fun". The Morning Call. Allentown, PA. pp. F1–F2.
  7. ^ "For Some, Bricks Too Permanent". The Latrobe Bulletin. Latrobe, PA. April 4, 2000. p. 6.
  8. ^ "Erie messages all too lasting". Kennebec Journal. Kennebec, ME. April 11, 2000. p. A2.
  9. ^ "There's no paving grace for outdated bricks". The Pantagraph. Bloomington, IL. April 10, 2000. p. A12.
  10. ^ Flowers, Kevin (October 14, 2021). "Erie's Bicentennial Tower, an iconic waterfront 'home run,' marks 25 years". Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on October 14, 2021.
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