The Public Steamboat Landing was formally dedicated in June, 24, 1909. The formal dedication was presided over by Pennsylvania Governor Stuart, who turned it over to the city of Erie as a public boat landing. Immediately the Cleveland & Buffalo Steamboat Company arranged to furnish regular passenger and freight transportation between Erie and Cleveland and Buffalo, making use of the new dock. Clark Olds, who at the time of the dedication was the former president of the Chamber of Commerce, was also present at the dedication.
The extension of the old original Public Dock northward 600 feet into the bay was made possible by an appropriation of $150,000 voted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania. The accomplishment of acquiring the appropriation to build the landing was due to the efforts of the Erie Chamber of Commerce, and more especially to the individual efforts of Clark Olds, the president of the Chamber, who succeeded in lobbying the Erie representatives in the legislature.
The Pennsylvania State Commission for the Construction of a Public Steamboat Landing at the Port of Erie created a General Assembly on June 13, 1907. This Commission consisted of five persons charged with constructing a public steamboat landing or wharf at the port of Erie. Chaired by President Clark Olds, the Commission consisted of T. D. Schultz (treasurer), Henry Beckman, E.C. Siegel, and M. H. Taylor. Out of the $150,000 that the legislature appropriated the Commission awarded a contract in the amount of $127,000 for the construction of the dock
The landing was of timber construction to a short distance below the water line, the superstructure being of cement, the central was area paved with vitrified brick. The gallery rising above was constructed of steel and reinforced concrete construction, it was pronounced the best dock on the chain of lakes.
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| People arriving early for the the dedication. |
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| The Dedication Ceremony. |
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| A flotilla of observers watching the dedication from their boats. |
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| A flotilla of observers watching the dedication from their boats. |