Club History

Commodore Perry Yacht Club is named after U.S. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, who led a fleet of nine American ships to victory over a squadron of six British warships at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The yacht club was formed in 1972 by a group of boaters who lived in Erie but belonged to the Barcelona Yacht Club in Westfield, NY — they decided to start a new boat club closer to home.

The club was granted a charter as a nonprofit corporation by the State of Pennsylvania on August 29, 1973. The membership agreed on the location at the foot of Poplar Street in Erie and after some negotiations with the Erie-Western-PA Port Authority, a long-term lease was signed. 

And the rest is history…

Commodore Perry Yacht Club Timeline

*See below for some photos.

1972: Club is initiated.

Summer 1973: Nonprofit corporation is established.

1973–1976: Club functions as social organization.

1976-1977: Dock permits are negotiated and obtained.

1978: Ground is broken.

1978: Break walls, parking areas and club facilities constructed by club members.

Winter 1978: West side docks built using bay ice as a work platform.

Summer 1979: First boats in the water.

Winter 1979: East side break wall and docks built.

1984: Clubhouse designed by member architect and built by members.

1997: New lease negotiated, additional property gained and used for parking and winter boat storage.

1998: Fencing installed, property beautification in step with Erie waterfront development. 

1999: Purchase of two barges and large crane enabled dredging of club basin and club expansion.

2000: Extensive expansion plan approved by membership.

2004: The pool was added.

2010: Expansion plan completed including new floating docks, new knee wall and other amenities. 

Present Day: CPYC is a state-of-the-art facility for members and visitors to enjoy.

A full history is available here if you’d like to read more.