Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Native Legend of Presque Isle: "Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit"

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 13, 2018

1. The Native Legend of Presque Isle: "Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit" Marker

Inscription. It is said that Manitou, the Great Spirit, led his favorite children, the Erie tribe, to the shores of this great inland sea where they fished its waters, hunted, and tilled the field.

As the Eries ventured into the lake to find the place where the sun sank into the water, the spirits of the lake, angered at their boldness, caused a great storm to rise.

The Great Spirit, hearing the Eries' cries for help, stretched out his great left arm into the lake to protect his favorite children from the crashing waves. Behind this sheltering arm, the Eries paddled their canoes to safety.

Where the arm of the Great Spirit had lain in the lake, a great sand bar in the shape of an arm was formed to act for all ages as a shelter and harbor for the Great Spirit's favorite children, the Eries.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 42° 8.646′ N, 80° 3.741′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It can be reached from Lakefront Drive east of Lighthouse Street, on the right

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when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Lakefront Drive, Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The North Pier Head Light (here, next to this marker); Erie Land Lighthouse Keepers (here, next to this marker); Erie's Maritime Heritage (here, next to this marker); Erie Land Lighthouse (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Erie Land Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Erie's Land Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); James N. Thompson Land Lighthouse Park (within shouting

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 13, 2018

2. The Native Legend of Presque Isle: "Sheltering Arm of the Great Spirit" Marker

distance of this marker); a different marker also named Erie Land Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 798 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.