Twenty Miles to Boston Store

Erie, Pennsylvania 

Boston Store

Circa 1960s

This is one of the brass Boston Store plaques that appeared on either side of the Boston Store entrance doors.  The one pictured is privately owned.  Another plaque is on display at the Watson Curtze Museum in Erie.  The owner of this plaque is always on the look out for the other two.  

The Boston Store in Erie, PA, a prominent downtown department store, installed iconic black-and-white mile marker signs on 15 major roads leading to the city in the 1930s.  Originally made of cypress, then redwood and aluminum, these markers listed the listance to the store to aid with rural deliveries and serve as brand marketing. 

The Boston Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places

 October 24, 1996.

The signs originated from the store's deliversy dispatch office on French Street to measure the distance to rural customers.  In 1971, most signs were removed due to the Highway Beautifications Act, but they had already become beloved local landmarks.  

Many residents requested or kept the signs as souvenirs with some placed far away to show the distance such as a sign in St. Paul, Minnesota noting "932 miles to the Boston Store".  The store was a major hub and the signs are remembered by many.

I recall one of these signs on Route 20 between the PA/NY Stateline and Ripley, NY.

Other signs were located at Route 20 (West Ridge Road/Main Street, Route 5 (East and West Lake  Road), Route 8 and Route 98. Markers were found throughout Erie County including Fairview, Millcreek Township,, Harborcreek and East Springfield. One well-known marker was located on West Lake Road near the 16-mile point.  Another was noted at the corner of Millfair Road (formerly Townline Road) in Fairview.

A local company, Lake Shore Industries still uses the original pattern to make replicas for private homes. The Hagen History Center maintains archives and artifacts related to the Boston Store.  They occasionally display original signage and markers as part of their Erie County history exhibits. Some local residents still have original signs on their property or in garages.  For instance, a notable original sign has been spotted on a home on Jones Road in Greene Towship.  There is at least one original sign kept in the museum at the Watson-Curtze Mansion property in Erie.

If  you'd like a marker for your location from the former Boston Store made by Lake Shore Industries, here is the contact information ..

Address:  1817 Poplar Sreet P.O. Box 3427 Erie, PA 16508-0427

Phone:  (800) 458-0463 or (814) 456-4277

Lake Shore Industries can create custom cast aluminum signs using the authentic historical specifications.  If you happened to find an original sign that is peeling or faded, they also offer a refinishing service to restore it with a durable baked-on enamel.

Custom cast alumium signs such as the authentic Boston Store mileage sign replicas from Lake Shore Industries typically cost between $90 and $400 depending on size and finish.

This is one of the wall fountains with decorative tile work throughtout the Boston Store.

PLEASE SIGN  HERE IN INK

Mrs. Frank Alonge

A decorative stairway in the stairwell

"The first escalator I ever saw was in the Boston Store.  It was the old wooden kind and it made quite an impression on me.  I still remember the clackity clackity sound it made."

"Lots of shopping memories with my mom there.  I especially remember a beautiful red Easter coast with a white collar.  It was so pretty and I felt so special to have something just just for me."

"Meeting under the clock or in the mezzanine which later became a department called "The Loft". My Mom worked there for over 20 years.  A great store."

"The store was positively it!!!!"