Take Your Beer For a Walk: It's Gonna Be MAY
A sudsy stroll through the historic West Bayfront
Guys, we made it. It's finally, finally safe to put away those mittens and don your sunglasses and short sleeves instead. Warm weather is here and that means you can comfortably drink a beer on your walk through town without fear of icicles forming on your upper lip. This time we're strolling along a particularly stellar route through the West Bayfront neighborhood. So get your sunnies, your barley pop, and let's hit the bricks!
We'll start our May journey at the foot of Cherry Street on the western end of Bayview Park, home to the big "Erie" sign, an impressive 10-foot by 5-foot sculpture overlooking our bayfront. Installed in 2020, it has become one of the most popular photo spots in town, especially when one of our famous third-best sunsets is happening in the background. Cheers, Erie! You're looking better every day!
From your vantage point overlooking the bay, we'll hit our next stop by simply turning around and walking south on Cherry to the next corner, West Second Street. This is the western edge of New Jerusalem, Erie's first African American neighborhood. In the early 1800s this area was purchased by William Himrod, an early Erie entrepreneur and abolitionist involved in ironworks manufacturing. The neighborhood was meant to be a safe refuge for free Black folks wary of slave hunters, runaway enslaved people, and poor or destitute whites.
See that ball field? The one with the wonderful mural? Pontiac Field lies before you, named after the Erie Pontiacs who played here between 1936 and 1956. The field was dedicated to the team in 2010 and honors Erie's most celebrated African American sports team. Sam Jethroe played for the Pontiacs, eventually joining the Boston Braves in 1949. Cheers, Pontiacs!
Next, cross West Second heading south on Cherry Street. We're traversing three blocks up to 516 Cherry, the new digs for Herb & Honey Bakery, where we'll trade in one form of carbohydrate for another. Sip that beer along the way and give a wave at the folks at 202 Cherry if they're on their porch. Local band, Psych Patrol, played here during Porchfest two years ago, a neighborhood-wide event you should not miss, returning each fall.
When you arrive at the bakery check out that sweet floor tile, the gigantic picture window overlooking the production area, and my favorite, the stuffed pretzels. Buy them all before I do! Cheers, Herb & Honey!
Drink local, and keep on walking.
Jeff McCullor is the co-owner of Erie Ale Works. He can be reached at jeff@eriealeworks.com
