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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Jan 1, 1500
Erielhonan, original Indian tribe settles in the Erie area
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The Erielhonan are victorious in the first of many Indian wars over the Seneca tribe
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The Erielhonan’s largest village, Risque is destroyed by 1,800 Iroquois warriors
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The Erielhonan are annihilated and absorbed into the Iroquois and Seneca
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Period: to
The French name the land now known as Presque Isle meaning “almost an island/peninsula”
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Fort Presque Isle is built; two additional outposts, one at the mouth of the peninsula and one at the eastern point are constructed
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Period: to
The French and Indian War begins
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The French abandon their outposts and burn their fort
The British reconstruct Fort Presque Isle -
The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the French and Indian War
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Dissatisfied with British control of the region, Pontiac’s War begins, uniting various Native American tribes to expel the British.
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Fort Presque Isle falls to Indian forces
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Pontiac’s War ends with signed treaty
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Period: to
American Revolutionary War
Americans take Fort Presque Isle -
Treaty of Fort Stanwix: Iroquois sell their rights to the land containing the peninsula to the US government
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Pennsylvania acquires undisputed title of the land from the US government
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General Anthony Wayne builds a new “American” Fort Presque Isle
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The town of “Presqu’ Ille” is renamed to Erie and laid out nearby
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Erie County is formed from Allegheny County
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Period: to
War of 1812 breaks out
Presque Isle played a decisive role in the Battle of Lake Erie, as Oliver Hazard Perry, commander of American forces prevented British control of the Lake -
Period: to
An outbreak of smallpox leads to infected bodies being dumped in what is now known as “Misery Bay” and “Graveyard Pond”
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The Brig Niagra, suffering from damages, is intentionally sunk in Misery Bay
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The Erie Harbor North Pier light, Lake Erie’s first lighthouse is constructed
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The Presque Isle Light, the second lighthouse is constructed
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The predecessor to the United States Coast Guard, known as the United States Life Saving Service is opened
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The third and final lighthouse is constructed by Erie Waterworks
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In an effort to provide freshwater to the city of Erie, a waterworks is constructed
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The State Legislator authorizes the creation of the “Pennsylvania State Park”
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The first paved road in the park is built
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The Perry Monument is constructed
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The Park is renamed to Presque Isle State Park
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The Peninsula is expanded to accommodate new roads and additional parking
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Presque Isle is named a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service
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The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is built at the entrance to the park
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A small tornado touches down and causes damages to the park, wrecking power lines, trees, and an observation platform