Schmap Buffalo Historical Background

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Buffalo - Historical Background
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Compared to other cities in the original 13 colonies, Buffalo is relatively young. While French explorer Robert LaSalle is credited as the first white man to view the area in around 1628, it would be another 130 years before the first permanent French settlement was established.

Control of the area changed hands several times before the turn of the 19th century with the British and the Dutch each having a turn. Finally, the land was sold for development to a group called the Holland Land Company, which was led by Joseph Ellicott, known as the founder of Buffalo.

Ellicott named the settlement New Amsterdam to please his Dutch superiors, and began to plan the new village. The system of major arteries radiating from the central hub—what is now Niagara Square—was copied from the design of Washington, D.C.

Five Lawyers and No Church

In 1810, New Amsterdam had fewer than 500 residents, a newspaper, a few stores and "five lawyers and no church," according to the diary of De Witt Clinton who was finalizing the route for what would become the Erie Canal.

When the residents decided to rename the town Buffalo, Joseph Ellicott was insulted. He left to make his residence in Batavia, 30 miles east, and vowed never to return.

The derivation of "Buffalo" has never been fully explained. One thing's for sure: no buffalo, or North American bison, has ever been sighted in the area—unless, of course, you're talking about the Buffalo Zoo. One theory is that the first settlers, upon sighting Native Americans in the area, gave the name Buffaloe's Creek to what is now the Buffalo River. Another idea is that the French called the Niagara River beau fleuve or beautiful river, and this came to be mispronounced as "Buffalo."

By 1812, the United States was at war with Great Britain and Buffalo's border location would bring the war home. The British burned the city in December 1813, reprising their 1759 attack on the then-new French settlement.

He Built the City

By 1820, events started to fall into place for Buffalo. Construction of a harbor began, led by Samuel Wilkeson and financed by a $12,000 loan from New York State. The epitaph on Wilkeson's Forest Lawn Cemetery grave reads Urban Condidit, Latin for "He built the city."

The value of the harbor was not lost on New York State officials, who decided in 1822 that Buffalo, not rival town Black Rock, should be the western terminus of the Erie Canal, linking the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The opening of the Erie Canal in October 1826 was probably the single most important event in the growth of Buffalo. Nearly all of the 2,400 residents turned out to see the first vessel enter the canal and the dumping of a bottle of Hudson River water into Lake Erie.

Buffalo, which would be incorporated as a city in 1832, was now set to become one of the country's most important transportation hubs. By the mid-1830s, grain pouring in from the Midwest was processed in Buffalo then shipped via the canal to points east. Grain elevators, invented in Buffalo, sprang up everywhere. By World War II, Buffalo would be processing 300 million pounds of grain annually.

Buffalo's growth continued through the 19th century. The arrival of the railroads spawned the development of heavy industries such as steel and auto manufacturing. At the railroads' peak, just after World War II, this city of 42 square miles had within its borders some 700 miles of track.

Presidential Native Sons

Two of Buffalo's native sons served as U.S. presidents in the 19th century. Millard Fillmore took office in 1850 upon the death of Zachary Taylor, and would subsequently be elected to his own term. Grover Cleveland, a Buffalo mayor, then New York governor, was elected to office in 1884. After losing a bid for re-election in 1888, Cleveland became the only president to serve non-consecutive terms with his victory in 1892.

The flow of electricity from Niagara Falls, 20 miles to the north, beginning in November 1896, continued Buffalo's spectacular economic growth. This plentiful supply of energy helped Buffalo land the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, fending off bids from larger cities like Detroit.

The Exposition grounds covered an area between Elmwood Avenue and Delaware Avenue, north of Delaware Park, the city's biggest green space. Park designer and renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted also designed park systems in Chicago, Montreal and New York City. The last remaining building from the Exposition now houses the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.

On September 6, 1901, tragedy struck at the Exposition. Anarchist Leon Czolgosz shot President William McKinley as he shook hands in the crowd. McKinley succumbed to his wounds early in the morning of September 14, and that afternoon Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as his successor at the Wilcox Mansion, the home of a personal friend.

Of Growth and Prosperity

Although the Exposition lost money, it put Buffalo squarely on the map as one of the most important business centers in the United States. This position continued through the first half of the 20th century, as Buffalo grew and prospered on its way to becoming the country's 15th largest city in 1950.

However, Buffalo was not immune to the regional trend of plant closings and relocations. Beginning in the mid-1950s, many businesses shut their doors or headed to the south and west, and the city's population declined by more than 150,000 before stabilizing by the mid-1970s.

More recently, beginning in the early 1980s, the city has undergone a renaissance as old, "smoke stack" industries have been replaced with financial and high technology firms. Additionally, the waterfront has been developed more wisely, with housing, businesses, restaurants and recreation replacing the steel mills and factories.

Now, visitors and residents can enjoy attractions such as the Erie Basin Marina with its restaurant, the Hatch. Or take a lake cruise on the Miss Buffalo. Or a step back in time at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park. You could say that the city is experiencing its second youth—and really enjoying it!

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society

Bringing History to Life

25 Nottingham Court
(at Nottingham Terrace)
Buffalo, NY 14216
United States
+1 716 873 9644
http://www.bechs.org/

Founded in 1862 by Buffalo native and former President Millard Fillmore and housed in the last remaining building from the 1901 Pan American Exposition, the Society has exhibits on Western New York history from the first explorers to the present. Included in the over 80,000 artifacts are items such as the pistol used to assassinate President William McKinley in Buffalo in 1901. The building and the Delaware Park setting alone are worth the visit.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society photo by DigitalHecht

Photo: DigitalHecht

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society photo by Maureen

Photo: Maureen

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society photo by Eye8Pudding

Photo: Eye8Pudding

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society photo by Rayman.

Photo: Rayman.

Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society photo by Will Wagner

Photo: Will Wagner

Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park

Western New York Veterans' Museum 1 Naval Park Cove
(at Pearl & Main Streets)
Buffalo, NY 14202
United States
+1 716 847 1773
http://www.buffalonavalpark.org This waterfront museum, located across from HSBC Arena, salutes all branches of the United States armed forces, with special emphasis on Western New York veterans. Visitors can tour a World War II submarine, destroyer, and guided missile cruiser. There are military artifacts such as tanks, aircraft and memorabilia, including a collection from the Polish Armed Forces. See website for complete visitation particulars.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: MJ Worthington

Buffalo Zoological Gardens

Family Attraction 300 Parkside Avenue
(at Russell Street)
Buffalo, NY 14214-1963
United States
+1 716 837 3900
http://www.buffalozoo.org One of the oldest in the U.S. and in existence since 1875, this zoo displays more than 1000 species of animals and 300 types of plants on its 23-acre Delaware Park site. Newer attractions include the lion and tiger habitats, and the gorilla rain forest exhibit. Favorites include the children's petting zoo, polar bears and the North American Bison. Food and seasonal carousel and train rides are available. See website for complete visitation particulars.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: CharlesSF
Photo: W. Alan Baker

Erie Basin Marina

Public Boat Launches 329 Erie Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
United States
+1 716 842 4141 This marina might be about boats and water but the view from the air is the most interesting: the marina was built in the shape of a Buffalo. A public boat launch site, the marina is very convenient for weekend sailors.It is also close to downtown attractions and accommodations for anyone making the tour of Lake Erie by boat. The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park and HSBC Arena are nearby.The marina is the site of the annual August Wine Fest.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Forest Lawn Cemetery

Eternal Home of Buffalo's Famous 1411 Delaware Avenue
(at W Delevan Avenue)
Buffalo, NY 14209
United States
+1 716 885 1600
http://www.forest-lawn.com Known as Buffalo's city cemetery and in existence since 1849, this 267-acre property features the grave sites of some of the city's most important citizens. Buried here are former U.S. President Millard Fillmore, Indian Chief Red Jacket, from whom the land to create the city of Buffalo was purchased, and Pony Express pioneer William Fargo, to name a few. You can stop at the office inside the main entrance for a self-guiding map. Bird watching and Sunday hayride-style tours of the beautiful grounds are also available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Miss Buffalo Cruises

View from the Water 79 Marine Drive
(at Buffalo Dock)
Buffalo, NY 14202-4225
United States
+1 716 856 6696 / +1 800 244 8684
http://www.missbuffalo.com You would expect a lake city to offer great cruises, and Miss Buffalo does jus that offering afternoon, evening and weekend cruises. The afternoons are the most sedate, while the weekends are party cruises with live bands, dancing and a bar. The cruise takes you under the Peace Bridge and through the historic Black Rock Lock and Channel, with great views of Buffalo. There are brunch, lunch and dinner cruises and there's even a Murder Mystery Dinner. See website for charter info and more.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Miss Buffalo Cruises photo by wcities
Photo: wcities

Wilcox Mansion

Presidential Inaugural Site 641 Delaware Avenue
(at North Street)
Buffalo, NY 14202
United States
+1 716 884 0095
http://www.nps.gov/thri/ The Ansley Wilcox family, friends of Theodore owned this early 19th century Greek revival mansion. It became the site of Roosevelt's Presidential inauguration in 1901 following the assassination of President William McKinley, and so was named the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. The only National Park Service location in Western NY, its displays include items related to the assassination and inauguration. The site also hosts a teddy bear picnic each August and a traditional Victorian Christmas celebration.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: paul hunt

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Buffalo - Historical Background"
Buffalo
Buffalo - Neighborhood Guide
Buffalo - Where to Stay
Buffalo - Dining & Drinking
Buffalo - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Niagara Falls (30 miles)
Toronto (94 miles)
Detroit (354 miles)
Ottawa (374 miles)
Baltimore (445 miles)
Philadelphia (451 miles)
Washington DC (458 miles)
New York (471 miles)
Montreal (511 miles)
Richmond (609 miles)

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