Buffalo is the second-biggest city in New York State with so many architectural treasures, including historic buildings, churches, and mansions. The Buffalo area was inhabited before the 17th century by the Native American Iroquois tribe. Buffalo grew significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries as a result of the Erie Canal, railroads, and Lake Erie. Automobile, steel, Iron, and meat-packing plants were the primary industries during the 20th century. Buffalo was greatly affected by the great depression, and unemployment increased rapidly. The population of Buffalo was over a half-million at its peak and declined by up to 50% as the industries began to shut down, and people left the Rust Belt for the employment opportunities of the South and West. Erie County has lost population in every census year since 1970.
Here below, we have compiled a list of old Buffalo, NY photos that show streets, landmarks, and everyday life of Buffalo in the 1900s.
#1 Labor Day parade, Main Street, Hotel Iroquois, Buffalo, 1900
#2 William McKinley monument, Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York, circa 1911
#3 Ellicott Square Building, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900
#4 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York, circa 1911
#5 Along the river at Buffalo, New York. Circa 1905
#6 Post Office, Ellicott Street, Buffalo, New York, circa 1910
#7 Buffalo River and elevators, foot of Main Street, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900
#8 Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y. Circa 1911
#9 The merchants of Buffalo, aside from making that fine city a haven for the herniated, circa 1900
#10 Great Northern elevator and shipping, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900
#11 Landmarks on view include the Buffalo Savings Bank dome and Hengerer’s department store, Buffalo, New York, circa 1904
#12 The Buffalo River, city ship canal and flour mill elevators circa 1911
#13 Buffalo Savings Bank
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That’s my bank! I always loved that beautiful Dome. Outstanding. I also remember in the late ’50’s, the radio jingle sung often. If you could include this jingle somehow on this website with this photo, it would really enhance the memories!
#14 Washburn-Crosby Co. flour mills, Buffalo, New York, circa 1910
#15 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, New York, circa 1905
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So cool to see the rail cars in 1905! Buffalo was ahead of its time. I still remember the rails at Humboldt Park where we played, skated, and swam in the ’50’s. I couldn’t figure out as a child why they removed the rails in those years.
#16 Hulett machine unloading ore at Buffalo, N.Y. Circa 1908
#17 Castle Inn at Buffalo, New York, 1908
#18 Shelton Square, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Prudential Building, Erie County Savings Bank, Buffalo, New York, circa 1908
#19 Tifft House, Main Street, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900
#20 St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, Buffalo, New York ,1900
#21 Hotel Iroquois, Buffalo, New York, circa 1905
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Man, what a hotel! I sure hope they had elevators back then!
#22 McKinley Monument, Niagara Square, Buffalo, New York, circa 1908
#23 Looking up Main Street. Steamer North Land at Long Wharf, Buffalo, New York, circa 1905
#24 Erie County Savings Bank, Niagara Street, Bustling Buffalo, New York, circa 1908
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I hope this building still stands! It’s a beauty.
#25 New York Central freight sheds, Buffalo, 1900
#26 The ectoplasmic pedestrians are out in force, Hotel Iroquois, Buffalo, 1900
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What in God’s name is an ectoplasmic pedestrian?????
#27 Labor Day parade, Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y., 1900
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Is that the military marching????
#28 Labor Day parade crowd, Main Street, Buffalo, New York, 1900
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So neat to see Main Street so busy! Love it!
#29 Erie County Savings Bank, Niagara Street. Buffalo, New York, circa 1904
#30 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, New York, circa 1904
#31 Chicago River elevators at Chicago, Illinois, September 1, 1900
#32 Canal harbor and elevators, Buffalo, New York, circa 1910
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Have these ancient bridges been preserved? I remember my dad driving us over them in the fifties; and they were pretty scary structures, but equally impressive!
#33 Eastern elevator, Buffalo, New York.” Ship: The Frank L. Vance.
#34 A bird’s-eye view of Buffalo, Circa 1905
#35 Swan Street, Buffalo, New York, circa 1911
#36 Unloading ore from whaleback carrier, Buffalo, New York, circa 1901
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A masterpiece of mechanical engineering!
#37 St. Paul’s Cathedral, Episcopal, Buffalo, New York, circa 1904
#38 Jack-Knife Bridge, City Ship Canal, foot of Michigan Street. Buffalo, New York, circa 1905
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Was this bridge still there in the fifties? I wonder if Dad drove us over it. Driving in this area of Buffalo was scary!
#39 An old-timer at C.T.T. elevator, Buffalo, N.Y., circa 1900
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Talk about congestion! Very busy port!
#40 Student at vocational school in Buffalo, New York. February 1910.
#41 Main Street, Buffalo, N.Y. Circa 1908
#42 Home of the Palia family, 260 Terrace Street, Buffalo, New York, February 1910
#43 Thornberger hoist unloading ore at Lackawanna docks, Buffalo, New York, circa 1900
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Are these docks still in operation?
#44 Buffalo, New York, Circa 1900
#45 Brown electric hoist unloading ore carrier, Buffalo, New York, circa 1908
#46 Unloading ore from Hulett machine, Buffalo, New York, circa 1908
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This machine looks pretty dangerous!
