Client: Historic Erie Restorations
Location: 555 West 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building —1910; Renovation complete — In progress
Size: 5,000 SF
National Register of Historic Places Listing: Contributing building in the West Sixth Street Historic District.
This Tudor Revival-style house was built in 1910 for Edward Everett Walker (1881–1911) and his wife, Florence Trautman Keil Walker (1884–1972) of Pittsburgh.
This project is currently under construction.
Edward Walker built this home across the street from his parents, Erie industrialist Benjamin J. “B.J.” Walker (1856–1915) and Sarah Kies Walker (1861–1943), who lived at 538 West Sixth St. Following in his father’s footsteps, he joined Erie Malleable Iron Co. and rose to president and CEO. Later, he was president of Erie Wheel Corp. He served on the board of People’s Bank and was a member of many clubs. Edward’s wife, Florence Walker, was active in the community and was a founder of Erie Infants Home, now Erie Home for Children & Adults. Edward and Florence’s son, B.J. Walker (1919–1997), served as an Army Air Corps captain in World War II and was later president and CEO of American Sterilizer Co. (AMSCO).
In 1933, the house was bought for Margarita Burns Filer (1895–1982) and her husband, Enoch Crawford Filer (1897–1970), by her parents. Margarita Filer was a native of Mount Carmel, Illinois. Enoch C. Filer, Esq, originally from Grove City, Pennsylvania, was the son of Walter G. Filer. He served as a U.S. Army corporal in World War I and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1921. A distinguished Erie attorney, Filer was named chancellor of the Erie County Bar Association. He was also chairman of the boards of Erie Malleable Iron Co. and Marine Bank, as well as a member of the board of directors of Zurn Industries, Erie Brewing Co., Erie Window Glass and Ervite Corp. In 1935, he became one of three original trustees of the Erie Endowment, now The Erie Community Foundation. Enoch and Margarita Filer were active in many community organizations, and among the earliest supporters of WQLN public broadcasting. Enoch died in 1970 and Margarita sold the house in 1972, after which it was converted into apartments.
In 2021, the house was acquired by Historic Erie Restorations.
