Scenic downtown Erie is home to a plethora of fine examples of architecture, both modern and ancient. This architecture is utilized all over the cityscape, from legal buildings to simple housing structures. Clearly, the examples of architecture that are from more ancient times are still efficient, and are worthy of examination. As students of the noble ancient Greek culture, we are more inclined to search out the pieces from that time period, namely pillars, entablature, and pediments. So, without further ado, let us show you the beautiful art of Erie, borrowed from the coast of the Mediterranean.
Our first venture was to find the elusive Corinthian pillar, and whatho! We found a group outside the Erie Insurance Building, and they were even fluted. The building was constructed in 1983, making these pillars babies compared to some of the other structures we stumbled upon later in our day. In the above photo, two models posed along with the clearly fluted pillars.
Here we can see a close-up shot of the Corinthian pillar's acanthus leaves.
Our travels then took us to the Erie Public Library, a cultural powerhouse that was home to pillars at its front gate. After scaling the pillars, we discerned them to be of the Ionic order.
Here we can see the elegant pillar's top up close, with its scroll-like head. Just above it, we can also see a case of entablature, which contains the building's name for all to see. This building was erected in 1897, making this pillars over a century old and still doing their job.
A nearby church , an affiliate of the Gannon campus, hosted a lovely pediment. Mary, Seat of Wisdom chapel, built in 1860, partially destroyed by a blaze in 1880, restored in 1940, and fully decimated by another fire in 1944, was rebuilt in 1950, and has had no issues with arson, accidental or otherwise, thus far.
Above is the building and pediment in full, with a close up of the carved image below.
The adventure concluded at the Roadhouse Theatre, which was partially supported by pillars of the Doric order.
And here we have our brave heroes practicing for their sports competition: EXTREME stair jumping.
