Tuesday, June 6th
Erie, Pa
Relaxed and visited with family and friends around town. I took my Dad to get his hair cut at his old barber. My dad has been getting his hair cut their since he was a little kid. It on the East side of Erie, near the old Hammermill Paper Co. This paper company was Erie’s largest employer for many years. In fact over four generations of my family have worked for the company in capacity or another. It shut down about 4 years ago. Like many manufacturing businesses in the region, the plant is a thing of the past. Hammermill Paper Company ran the pulp and paper mill from 1898-1986, when International Paper (IP) bought it and produced brands Beckett, Hammermill, Springhill and Strathmore at the site. In May 2002, IP shut down the plant, citing a soft market and the chance to save more than $36 million a year.
This closing is devastating to the city. A lot of blue collar families were able to work there make a good wage and send their kids to college. My grandpa Steph worked there for about 50 years. It was his first and last job when he left Findlay College. This happens rarely in America anymore. It employed my great-grandpa, both of my uncles, my dad, and even my sister, although hers was only technically because she sold the Hammermill Brand for IP when she lived in Memphis. In a very substantial way I owe my present life to Hammermill. When IP bought the company it made me aware of Rhodes where I eventually ended up in college. My Dad is in his 27th year there. I’m rambling; Erie and my family have been greatly affected by Hammermill/IP.
Dad and I went on an unofficial Pub crawl. We went to the Sports Page, Hectors, and finally Joe Roots for dinner with family friends. The Page is owned by one of my
Dad’s old college friends and is an Erie staple. It has been featured on the NBC’s game day coverage for the Browns vs. Steelers games. Happy hour price, 75 cent drafts. Hectors is a classic Italian tavern, great food and drinks, and pictures of famous Italians on the wall who have visited. It is another landmark. I have included some pictures of Hectors and a sign from a beer distributor, maybe some of the non Erie folks are starting to understand why I am the way I am.