The Old Customs house, at 415 State Street, was originally built for banking purposes and was occupied by the United States Branch Bank of Philadelphia until 1840 when the parent bank failed and forced the closing of the Erie Branch. This building is said to have cost seventy thousand dollars, while the president's house south of it, and the barn located on east Fourth Street cost about ten thousand more.
In 1849 the United States Government purchased it from W.C. Curry who had been appointed to settle up its affairs. After being acquired by the government it was converted into a Customs House and the basement used as a bonded warehouse. In 1853 the Erie Post-Office was located in this building and remained there until 1867 when that institution removed to Eighth and State streets.
From 1867 to 1909 this building was unoccupied, when the Grand Army of the Republic was made custodian. The interior was re-decorated but no major alterations was made to change it. On September 26th, 1932, the Grand Army of the Republic gave up the place to the Erie County Historical Society who leased it from the United States Government until 1983 when the building became a part of a five building complex of the Erie Art Museum.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1922) |
In the photo above, the building on the right of the old Custom House was occupied by the Erie Drug Company. Emmett D. Hurley was the president of Erie Drug. Two sets of trolley tracks run in the center of State Street in the foreground of this picture. The building on the left, behind the Custom House, was occupied by the Lawrence Welding & Blacksmith Company on 11 East 4th Street. The business was owned by Peter Lawrence.
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1935) |
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1935) |
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1935) |
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1935) |
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| Custom House, 415 State Street (1935) |