History of Buffalo, New York
Introduction:
Today Buffalo, NY is more commonly identified with the crumbling infrastructure, abandoned homes and dwindling jobs that have defined the Rust Belt for the past 50 years. And for decades its architecture has seemed strangely frozen in time.
The city’s rise began in 1825 with the opening of the Erie Canal, which opened trade with the heartland. By the end of the 19th century the city’s grain silos and steel mills had become architectural pilgrimage sites for many thousands of tourists each year, which saw them as the great cathedrals of Modernity. In their vast scale and technological efficiency, they reflected a triumphant America and sent a warning signal to Europe that it was fast becoming less relevant.
The city’s downfall began in the 1950’s with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the beginning of the decline in manufacturing jobs. Now our beloved city is at a crossroads. Just as local preservationists are completing restorations on some of the city’s most important landmarks. The outcome of these plans will go far in determining the city’s prospects for economic recovery, but it could also offer a rare opportunity to re-examine the relationship between preserving the past and building a future.
The city’s rise began in 1825 with the opening of the Erie Canal, which opened trade with the heartland. By the end of the 19th century the city’s grain silos and steel mills had become architectural pilgrimage sites for many thousands of tourists each year, which saw them as the great cathedrals of Modernity. In their vast scale and technological efficiency, they reflected a triumphant America and sent a warning signal to Europe that it was fast becoming less relevant.
The city’s downfall began in the 1950’s with the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the beginning of the decline in manufacturing jobs. Now our beloved city is at a crossroads. Just as local preservationists are completing restorations on some of the city’s most important landmarks. The outcome of these plans will go far in determining the city’s prospects for economic recovery, but it could also offer a rare opportunity to re-examine the relationship between preserving the past and building a future.