Whispers

Beneath the sidewalks we stroll and the fields we forget, history lingers like a whisper — quiet, persistent, and impossibly close. Erie’s past isn’t buried; it’s layered, folded into the bricks of forgotten buildings and the shadows of long-vanished roads. Every rusted sign, every cracked foundation, is a portal to what once was. You may not see it, but it sees you. And if you listen closely, you might just hear the echo of footsteps that came before your own.

A bronze manhole cover embedded in asphalt pavement, inscribed with 'W. SIEGRIST'. The left side has a blue panel with white text detailing information about W. Siegrist, including address, date, and source reference.
Close-up of a manhole cover on a sidewalk with the words Wheler & Marcki Erie, PA.
A metal plaque embedded in asphalt sidewalk with the inscriptions R.J., MCGRATH, ERIE, PA. The left side of the image contains text indicating the location as 1110 W 25th St, sidewalk, plate, photo taken on November 12, 2024, with additional details
Close-up of a brass plaque embedded in a pebble-textured sidewalk. The plaque reads 'BATISTELLI. ERIE PA.' The image also shows a newspaper clipping on the left side with details about Quintino Batiselli and a blue background.
A stamped concrete sidewalk with an oval-shaped imprint that reads 'Wagner John J.'.
Photograph of a cement sidewalk with an embedded stamp from a 1931 Erie City cement block, showing text and information about its manufacturer and location.
A sidewalk with a stamped mark reading "Wagner John J." and located at 1031 W 26th St, Erie City, taken on November 13, 2024.
A concrete sidewalk with an oval-shaped stamped mark that reads 'WAGNER JOHN J. CEMENT CONSTRACTOR'.
A green bronze plaque embedded in the ground that reads 'JOHN BERNARDINI ERIE PA'.
A cement stamp in the sidewalk with the name 'WAGNER JOHN J.' visible, surrounded by sandy concrete surface.
Close-up photograph of a weathered brass or bronze sidewalk plate with green patina, embedded in concrete, with the inscription 'S.G. BECKMANN ERIE PA.' in raised letters.
A close-up photo of a greenish metal marker embedded in a concrete sidewalk. The marker reads 'R. MEYER ERIE, PA.' The sidewalk surface consists of small pebbles and gravel.
A historic green manhole cover embedded in a gravel sidewalk. The cover reads 'J G SEBALD' and 'ERIE PA.' The photo was taken on November 14, 2024, at 2716 Liberty in Erie City, and the accompanying text mentions a 1940 directory entry for John G. Se
A green metal street grate with the words 'R MEYER' and 'ERIE, PA' embossed on it, set in concrete sidewalk with small stones.
A bronze plaque embedded in asphalt sidewalk reading 'WM P. KERN ERIE PA'. On the left, a blue informational panel provides details: 'WM P. KERN, 1816 W 28th, sidewalk, plate, photo taken Nov 14, 2024, 1917 Erie City Directory p. 754: 'Kern Wm P (Cat
A blue metal plaque embedded in the sidewalk with the inscription R. J. McGRATH ERIE PA, surrounded by small gravel.
Photo of a manhole cover embedded in asphalt pavement with embossed text reading 'A. Anthony & Sons Erie, PA'.
Close-up of an oval-shaped manhole cover with embossed words, surrounded by a textured asphalt surface.
A bronze street marker embedded in concrete sidewalk, reading '1909 GEO LUNDQUIST ERIE PA'.
A bronze street plate embedded in the ground, inscribed with the words 'PETTINATO', 'VERGE, PAO'. The ground surface around the plate is gravelly and rough.
A metal plaque embedded in the ground with the text 'PETTINATO' and additional words in reverse, surrounded by aged cobblestone sidewalk and small patches of moss and weeds.
Photo of a sidewalk plaque reading 'T. VACARELLO 1525 POPLAR ST.' on rough concrete.
A concrete sidewalk with a stamped footprint that reads "BEMINS NANCOCK" and some additional text, partially obscured, that appears to say "OMA" and "POW."
Close-up photograph of a green, weathered street nameplate embedded in concrete sidewalk. The street nameplate reads "D. BERGIOI, ERIE PA." The accompanying text on the left side of the image provides additional information about the location and dat
A metal plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk with the inscription 'T VACCARELLA ERIE PA'.
A rectangular metal plaque embedded in asphalt sidewalk, inscribed with 'O.S. RIBLET ERIE, PA', with a weathered and greenish patina.
A gray concrete sidewalk with small pebbles embedded and a metal plaque that reads "D. BERGOLI ERIE PA".
A concrete sidewalk with a faint, stamped inscription that reads 'PARK' in darkened letters.
A sidewalk with a rectangular metal marker embedded in it, inscribed with 'CITY J. Joseph B. Nicholas, W.A.' and some small fallen leaves nearby.
A sidewalk with a cement block marked with the number 1919
A concrete sidewalk with an embedded round metal marker or stamp. The sidewalk appears weathered with small stones and dirt around the marker.
Close-up of a concrete sidewalk with an oval cast-iron utility stamp reading 'Wagner John J.'.
A metal plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk reads 'HERRICK & WHIPPLE, ERIE, PA, CONTRACTORS'.
Close-up of a concrete sidewalk with a small bronze plaque embedded in it, reading 'P. ELLER, ERIE PA.'
A brass sidewalk plaque embedded in concrete that reads 'CHAS. H. FRY BRIE. PA.'
Close-up of a cracked concrete sidewalk with a rectangular metal manhole cover inscribed with 'P. Eller Erie PA'.
A metal utility cover embedded in concrete sidewalk, engraved with the words 'P. ELLER ERIE PA.' The sidewalk has small stones and pebbles.
Close-up of a rectangular metal plate embedded in a cracked concrete sidewalk. The plate has the inscription 'P. ELLER ERIE PA'.
A metal plate marked '2660 Maple' is embedded in the sidewalk, surrounded by dirt and gravel.
A metal marker embedded in cracked concrete sidewalk. The marker reads "R. MEYER; ERIE, PA." The sidewalk has small weeds and dried grass growing around the edges.
A rectangular metal plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk, inscribed with the text: "A.F. GIACOBELLO CONTRACTOR 1552 RALPH BLVD."
Close-up of a metal utility cover embedded in a gravel sidewalk with the word "DIRECTION" and "SEWER" inscribed in reverse.
A metal sidewalk plaque embedded in concrete reads 'BURGER & GRAIL ERIE PA.'
A metal street plaque embedded in the sidewalk, reading "BURGER & GRAIL ERIE PA." The sidewalk surface is asphalt with small stones and patches of lighter color.
Photograph of a small plaque on the ground with the inscription: 'AL SCHNARS JR, RAY SCHNARS, TOM HOOVER, OCT 1971', surrounded by rocks and small plants.
A metal identification plate embedded in a concrete sidewalk, with the words 'Remington' and 'Epoca' engraved on it, taken on November 16, 2024, at 2631 Hazel.
A bronze or copper rectangular plaque embedded in a gravel sidewalk at 2614 Hazel, with the word 'PETTINATO' embossed on it, taken on November 16, 2024.
A concrete sidewalk with a stamped impression of the word 'COMMUNITY' on it.
A brass plaque embedded in a concrete sidewalk, reading 'PETTINA' on top and 'Y. ERIDE PA' on the bottom, with some weathering and moss around it.
A sidewalk with a brick embedded that has the name Joseph B. Nicholas and the date November 16, 2024, along with the address 2684 Hazel, and the word 'sidewalk' inscribed on it.
Photo of a sidewalk with a rectangular metal plaque embedded in the concrete. The plaque reads 'JOHN HEUBEL ERIE PA.' The left side of the image has a blue background with white text listing the name 'John Heubel,' an address '3121 Walnut,' describin
Close-up of a sidewalk with a blue metal plaque embedded that reads "JOHN HEUBEL ERIE PA."
Close-up of a concrete sidewalk with a stamped metal marker reading "PROPERTY OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE."
A sidewalk with a cast iron plaque embedded in the ground that reads "T VAGGARELLA ERE D." The sidewalk is concrete with some grass and small plants growing around the plaque.
A metal plate embedded in concrete sidewalk reads 'P. Ellar Erie PA'.
Photo of a sidewalk with a metal plaque embedded in the concrete that reads 'T. Vaccarello 1625 Poplar St.'
A sidewalk with a brass or metal plaque embedded in the concrete that reads 'John Heubel Erie, PA.' The image includes a text overlay with the address '424 W 29th,' and notes that it is a sidewalk plate photo taken on November 16, 2024.
A weathered concrete sidewalk with a crack running through it. Near the crack, there's a faded stamp that reads 'CITY OF AURORA CEMENT CO. 1949.' Small plants are growing in the crack.
Photograph of a concrete step staircase leading up to a house with pumpkins on the porch. The photo is taken from ground level looking up.
A photo of a sidewalk with a cement block manhole cover and a heart-shaped patch of wet concrete, with fallen leaves on it. The left side features a blue overlay with white text detailing a person named John J. Wagner, his address, and a description
A concrete sidewalk with an embedded cement block featuring a stamped or embossed logo or signature.
Photograph of a small metal marker embedded in concrete sidewalk reading 'R. MEYER EAME PA' with dry grass and small green plants nearby.
A sidewalk with a metal plaque embedded in the concrete that reads "CHAS. H. FRY ERIE PA."
Sidewalk with a metal marker reading 'R. MEYER, ERIE, PA'
Close-up of a concrete sidewalk with a stamped name "H B NICHOLAS" on a cement piece embedded in the concrete.
A sidewalk with a yellow fallen leaf and a blue-green metal plaque that reads 'PETTINA F.EROE PLA' with a background of asphalt.
A metal street sign embedded in gravel showing the name 'Filippo Bongiorno' and address '1044 W 21st St, Erie, PA.'
Photograph of a blue sidewalk plaque showing 'BATISTELLI & CO ERIE PA' on a paved sidewalk.
A sidewalk with a metal street nameplate embedded in concrete, and a blue informational panel on the left with text including a person's name, address, and details about the photo.
Photograph of a bronze plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk, reading 'James Stewart & Company Incorporated, New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Toronto, Salt Lake, Houston.' The plaque has a decorative border and appears aged with a patina.
A bronze plaque embedded in concrete, reading 'James Stewart & Company Incorporated' with addresses in New York, St. Louis, Chicago, Salt Lake, and Houston.
A bronze plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk reads 'James Stewart & Company Incorporated Contractors, Tempe, Chicago, St. Louis, Toronto, Salinas, Houston.'
A small rectangular bronze plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk with weathered green patina, reading 'James Stewart & Company Incorporated Contractors' with listed city names: New York, St. Louis, Salt Lake, Chicago, Toronto, Houston. The plaque is l
A star-shaped plaque embedded in a sidewalk with the words 'LAID BY J. HEALY L. RIEPAL' inscribed inside, situated on a concrete sidewalk with some moss and dirt around the edges.
Blue ceramic tile street sign displaying "Weschler Ave" on concrete sidewalk, with fallen leaves around.
A concrete sidewalk with a metal plaque embedded in it. The plaque reads 'Filippo Bongiorno, 1044 W 21 St., Erie, PA.' There is some grass and leaves on the right side of the sidewalk.
A close-up photograph of a cement sidewalk with an oval-shaped imprint of a shoeprint.
A bronze plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk with the text "R. J. McGRATh ERIE PA". The plaque is made of three connected sections, with the top section reading "R. J." and the lower section reading "McGRATH" followed by "ERIE PA".
Metal plate embedded in the sidewalk with the inscription "R.J. McGrath Erie PA" on a concrete sidewalk.
A metal plaque embedded in concrete sidewalk with the inscription 'R. J. McGrath Erie PA', photographed on November 18, 2024.
Close-up of a metal street marker embedded in a concrete sidewalk with the text 'BATISTELLI ERIE PA'. The sidewalk has small stones and cracks, with some grass and dirt along the edges.
Close-up of a textured sidewalk with a small, bronze plaque embedded in it. The plaque has an arrow shape and bears the inscription 'R.J. McGRATH ERIE PA'.
A sidewalk with a bronze plaque embedded in the concrete that reads 'R. J. McGrah, Erie PA'.
A metal plaque embedded in a sidewalk displaying the names 'ELLER & REICHEL' with an arch shape. The sidewalk is concrete with small pebbles. On the left side, there is a blue sidebar with text providing address and photo details.
A sidewalk with a small metal plaque embedded in it. The plaque reads 'Filippo Bongiorno 1044 W 21 St, Blu, PA'. The ground is made of concrete with small stones. There is a dried leaf and a small twig nearby, and the overall scene appears outdoors.
Photo of a blue metal tag embedded in a concrete sidewalk with text reading 'Filippo Bongiorno, 1044 W 21st St., Erie, PA,' along with a yellow leaf nearby.
A blue sidewalk plaque with engraved text reading 'Filippo Bongiorno, 1044 W 21 St., Erie, PA' on an asphalt sidewalk surrounded by small leaves and gravel.
Close-up of a metal marker on a gravel sidewalk, engraved with the words 'R.J. McGRATH Erie PA', with some pine needle debris.