Historic Name

George Wingerter House

Address

627 Myrtle St

Municipality

City of Erie

Tax Parcel

17040007020900

Historic District

West 6th Street HD

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

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Historic Function

Domestic - single dwelling

Style

Bungalow

Built

1920

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

8/11/2016

This home was built in 1920 for prominent Erie cigar manufacturer, George Wingerter. George and his brother, Adam, both originally from Erie, opened a cigar shop in Central City, Colorado in 1883, where they operated for two years before returning to Erie in 1885. In that year, the brothers formed Wingerter Brothers Cigars, and the firm became one of the largest cigar manufacturers in Erie. George was a travelling salesman, selling the company’s products on the road, while Adam remained in Erie, operating the firm’s factory at 926 State Street. Before opening his own firm, George learned the cigar trade from prominent cigar manufacturer Manley & Company, of Chicago. After working with the company for a decade, George worked for E.A. Fette in Colorado for four years. With his expertise in the cigar industry, George and his brother became one of the largest cigar manufacturers in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and successfully operated their firm for over thirty-five years in the City of Erie.

George commissioned the construction of this home towards the end of his career with Wingerter Brothers Cigars. Over the last century, multiple families have lived in the home. In 2016, Gannon University uses the property as a Christian community residence and renamed the home the “Kirk House.”

Sources: Northwest Institute of Research, Historic Survey 1982

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Submitted information is reviewed by Preservation Erie prior to updating the database.

Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office