Erie Federal Courthouse

The Erie Federal Courthouse is a courthouse in New York designed in the Streamline Moderne style, featuring sleek lines, rounded corners, and an exterior of Indiana limestone accented with polished black granite details. The carefully crafted facades and interior spaces demonstrate how practical function and visual refinement were skillfully combined in this public building.

The building was constructed in 1937 during the Great Depression as part of the federal government's job creation programs. Architect R. Stanley-Brown designed it as an example of how public building projects served as tools for economic stabilization during difficult times.

The building shows how federal architecture once combined practical function with design elements that expressed stability and government authority through its physical form.

The exterior is freely accessible for visitors to view the building's architecture and facade at their own pace. While the interior remains in active court use, certain areas with original finishes are sometimes open for informal viewing when not in session.

Two original courtrooms inside retain their historical wooden wall paneling from when the building opened in the 1930s. These rooms offer a direct connection to the craftsmanship and material quality of that era.

Location: New York

Inception: 1937

Architects: R. Stanley-Brown

Architectural style: Streamline Moderne

GPS coordinates: 42.29560,-79.08420

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22