New Historical Marker for New Jerusalem Neighborhood

A new historical marker at the corner of Sassafras and West 5th Street helps share the unique history of New Jerusalem and its impact on our region. This project was a partnership and collaboration between Preservation Erie, the Harry T. Burleigh Society, and Our West Bayfront. Supported by Gannon University and the City of Erie, this project was funded by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority and Building Systems Inc.

The sign reads “Erie’s first African American neighborhood, this nearly 30 block area located north of West 6th Street and west of Sassafras Street offered lots for early residents, welcomed freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, housed important small businesses, and provided a home field for the Pontiacs baseball team.”

Dig further…

Our West Bayfront partnered with local historian and founding member of the Harry T. Burleigh Society in 2020 to create a walking tour of Black history in the New Jerusalem area, which can be found here.

Further information about Black history throughout Erie County can be found at the Shared Heritage website.