Hidden History
Weschler Ave Sign
Embedded in the pavement along Weschler Avenue in Erie is a charming remnant of the city’s early infrastructure—a tile street sign that quietly anchors the neighborhood in time.
These ceramic street markers were once common throughout Erie, installed in the early 20th century as part of a citywide effort to modernize and beautify public spaces. Durable and decorative, the tile signs were set into sidewalks at intersections, offering a crisp, legible alternative to metal signage. Most have vanished due to roadwork, weather, and redevelopment, but the Weschler Avenue tile remains remarkably intact—a rare survivor that evokes the craftsmanship and civic pride of a bygone era. Framed by concrete and softened by age, it’s more than a label—it’s a subtle invitation to look down, slow down, and notice the layers of history beneath our feet.
Winter Piano Co. Sign
Beneath the shuffle of shoes and the hum of traffic in downtown Erie lies a ghostly whisper: Winter Piano Co. etched into the pavement, a relic that refuses to be forgotten. The Winter Piano Company was previously located at 1015 State St. Why this sign endures here, embedded in Erie’s streets, is a mystery—like a phantom advertisement that outlasted its own cash cash registers. Step lightly when you cross it; some say the letters hum faintly at night, as if unseen keys are struck in rhythm with the city’s heartbeat. Erie’s sidewalks hold many secrets, but few sing as strangely as this one.
Sidewalk Stamps
Beneath your boots, the past is pressed in concrete.
Before Erie’s stories were digitized, they were etched—by hand, by boot, by brass. Sidewalk stamps and embedded plaques dot our city like quiet signatures, marking the names of long-gone contractors, forgotten civic pride, and cryptic commemorations. These modest markers are more than decorative—they’re time capsules, cast into the very bones of our streets. Some date back a century, others whisper of mid-century optimism or industrial grit. All of them ask the same thing: Did you notice me?
Below, you’ll find a slideshow of Erie’s sidewalk stamps and plaques. Click the arrow to the right of the photo viewer to step through each one—and see what’s been hiding in plain sight.
