Commission advances William and Mary Spencer House nomination toward city council

The City of Erie Historic Review Commission voted to find reasonable cause that the William and Mary Spencer House at 519 West 6th Street qualifies as a City of Erie historic landmark and moved to recommend the nomination to city council.

Staff described the house as a high‑integrity example of late‑19th‑century Second Empire architecture with Stick and Queen Anne elements and presented the building’s association with the Spencer family, including JC (Judea Colt) Spencer and William Spencer, who founded and led local banking and civic institutions. The presenter also noted Mary Spencer’s civic activities, including leadership of a needlework guild and participation in early women’s‑rights activities, and said the house retains original interior woodwork and decorative tiles.

Why it matters: Staff said the house meets Criterion B for association with significant persons and Criterion C for architectural significance. The innkeepers who brought the nomination—Steve and Lisa—were present and described ongoing preservation of original features.

Action taken: A motion to determine reasonable cause under Criteria B and C was offered and carried by voice vote. Commissioners later voted to forward the nomination to city council so the property can proceed through the local hearing and ordinance process.

Next steps: The nomination will appear before the planning commission and then city council for hearings; staff recommended scheduling a public tour and preparing the council packet.