Buffalo, Niagara Falls

Buffalo/Niagara Falls

 

Now, when you first think of Buffalo, what do you think?  Snow?  Niagara Falls?  Four consecutive lost Super Bowls? (That's not easy, Scott Norwood, "wide right").

 

Well, Buffalo is an interesting story.  Originally a small trading community connecting the East to the West, in 1804 the Dutch "Holland Company" laid out a spoke and wheel grid (much like Washington DC) pattern for the new town.  It was a sleepy town until the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, connecting Albany and points East to Buffalo and points West.  Buffalo boomed, producing great wealth for the area.  It was a primary access for grain and mineral commerce, immigration among other things.  The advent of the railroads eventually killed off the benefit of the Erie Canal and eventually the St. Lawrence Seaway plus the de-industrialization of America crippled Buffalo as officially part of the "Rust Belt".  Finally, in the early 2000's, the town fathers developed the Buffalo Fiscal Stabilization Authority to try and help.  More recently, in 2013, New York state and Governor Cuomo granted a $1 Billion total of grants and tax benefits to attempt to jump start the Buffalo area.  It has resulted in health services industry, solar manufacturing and wind energy development for the area.  In addition, the downtown is going through a renaissance.  New stores, theatres, restaurants and residences are being developed.  To me, it is a leap of faith, but you have to start somewhere.  Downtown looks very new/renovated, they have added a  trolley line, but they could use more people.  Current unemployment is 5%; living costs are very reasonable; we'll see how they do.  They have saved many spectacular old commercial buildings and residences from the "golden years"; some have been or in process of being renovated.  From my point of view these renovations are a "labor of love"; more power to them; I wish them the best./

 

 

The new trolley line; somewhat limited, but still well used.

 

Lobby at the Statler, 1100 room hotel currently being renovated.  Picture does not do it justice; lots of weddings here.

Lobby of the Louis Sullivan "Guaranty/Prudential" building.  Magnificent interior.

Next, we visited the home of a young Millard Fillmore, 13th president of the US.  In my opinion, Fillmore, rated among the worst of the presidents, gets a bad rap.  He was the Northern VP to Southern President Zackary Taylor in a pragmatic ticket to win the White House.  As VP, Fillmore resided over a contentious Senate as Calhoun, Clay and Webster, among others, refused to compromise over many years, primarily over the issue of slavery.  Fillmore was basically ignored by Taylor, and Taylor would not support any compromise.  Then, when Taylor died, his entire cabinet resigned as Fillmore took over.  Fillmore, fearing the worst, promised to support Henry Clay (who, at age 73, basically killed himself in the process) and promised to sign the contentious "Compromise of 1850", which bought 10 more years prior to the secession of the South.  Fillmore also, through Commodore Perry, opened up trade again with Japan.  His Whig Party chose not to run Fillmore as their nominee during the next election.  Who said life was fair?

 

Fillmore's house, that he built, at the age of 26, and lived in until his political career began.

 

Of course, no trip up here would be complete without a trip to Niagara Falls, where the Niagara River empties Lake Erie from the Southwest to Lake Ontario to the Northeast.  A nearly 200 foot drop produces greater water flow than any other falls in the world.  Enjoyed our view there.  Below a picture of a sightseeing boat (they all get wet) and then a short video where we were perched right on top of the American Falls. 

 

Next a trip to Ft. Niagara, at the mouth of the Niagara river, where it empties into Lake Ontario.  The fort, developed by the French in 1726  is strategically located to control primary waterway entrance into the increasingly valuable trapping territories of North America by the Europeans.  The French/Indian War resulted in Britain gaining control of the fort, then swapped back and forth between the British and new United States, until the US gained final control in 1816.  The development of the Erie Canal in 1825 then made Ft. Niagara largely irrelevant.  Below some pics while we were there.  The docents/guides were excellent; dressed in period costumes.

Picture of a renovated group of buildings, around the time the British controlled it.

Marlene talking to a "cooper",  who makes barrels the same way they were made in the day, using the same tools.  Happily retired bank exec; excellent demo.

Soldier chopping wood; park is open all year round (don't no how they do it in the Winter).

On the Canadian side, just north of the Falls is the hidden gem, Niagara-on-the-Lake.  What a beautiful little town, surrounded by excellent vineyards, full of flowers and plantings, they take great pride in how attractive they make the town, and it shows.  If you ever get to the Falls, save a day or two and visit Niagara-on-the-Lake, you won't be disappointed.  Very popular George Bernard Shaw festival every year in Aug/Sep

Had a five star luncheon at one of the wineries there. 

Can you see the legs on that red?  Excellent wine.

Tough to see the salad above, prosciutto, asparagus, radish; delicious

Enlarge this picture of downtown scene. Still doesn't do the town justice, place just makes you smile and relax.



Found time to play some doubles on red clay at the Buffalo Racquet Club.  They were very gracious to let me play; had a great time; my "scoped" knee did pretty well.