On May 16, 1792, Thomas Rees was appointed Deputy Surveyor for the State of Pennsylvania and immediately set out for the Erie Triangle to survey it. His first two efforts to travel here were set back by problems with Indian and other problems. His third attempt was successful and Mr. Rees successfully surveyed the Erie area and effectively laid out the street grid of the City of Erie. In 1796, Rees returned to Erie from Philadelphia, inactuated with the countryside, and immediately took a tract of land which became known as Rees Reserve. He became the first full time resident of Erie County. The Gospel Hill area of Harborcreek on Station Road became his place of residence and his body is still buried along with other family members, employees, and friends in the Gospel Hill Cemetery.

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