Erie County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Lake Erie, which in turn had been named for the Indian tribe of the same name. It was attached to Crawford County until 1803. Erie, the county seat, was so named because it was Pennsylvania's port on Lake Erie. It was laid out in 1795, incorporated as a borough on March 29, 1805, and as a city on April 14, 1851.

Erie, the county seat, is the state's third largest city. Downtown Erie, there are new developments taking place every day. There is a new bicentennial observation tower that affords great views of Presque Isle Bay and the city. Uptown Erie, many new stores, superstores, outlets, restaurants and hotels along with the giant 200 store Millcreek Mall combine to make an exciting shopping mecca for the whole region.

Historical sights abound including the completely restored and seaworthy U.S. Brig Niagara, Commodore Perry's victorious flagship in the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. Across the bay, Presque Isle State Park juts seven miles out into Lake Erie.