Lower West Side

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Buffalo, NY Circa June 4, 1938.... Caption from Buffalo evening news.


"A new, low-cost housing project containing 696 living units will be built in the area bounded by the solid white line in this airplane photograph.
The slum clearance project on Buffalo's West Side will be financed in part by a ... federal loan and will be handled by the Buffalo Housing Authority."




Photo credit: Buffalo News, Bob Caico, David Torke fixBuffalo

Location

Fillmore Council District
Google Bird's Eye View
City of Buffalo Parcel Viewer

Owner

City of Buffalo, BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY per City of Buffalo Property Information

Physical Description

One of Buffalo's oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the 1850s. This waterfront community with dense housing, retail and industrial components featured one of the highest population densities in the city.

Current Condition

Demolished entirely by urban renewal plans in the 1960s. Subsequently replaced with low density suburban and brutalist construction, or left as empty parcels and surface parking. Remains devastated 50 years later.

History

  • "Lower West Side: Encompassing the area from behind city Hall to Porter Avenue, the Lower West side has long been recognized for its Italian heritage. But long before their arrival here, the area served a pointedly different purpose. Hemmed in by the Erie Canal on the West, the land immediately adjacent to the canal functioned in capacities related to the canal and shipping. Along the canal slips were cut inland to serve the water related industries such as boat makers and riggers. Numerous other industries competed for space on the lands immediately adjacent to the docks including several cotton and wool textile mills and a paint factory. During the mid 1850s, residential development of the area began to occur." BuffaloAH.com
  • "Reduced to an area of two city blocks by well intended urban renewal efforts, the Efner/Trenton district is a reminder of the living conditions of dock workers in the 1870s and 1880s. Two blocks of small cottages line both sides of the streets providing the last visual link to the appearance of the area during its canal years." BuffaloAH.com

Recent Events and Actions Taken

Other Pertinent Facts

Links


Newest Pages

■ 71 North Street ■ 100 Eighteenth Street ■ St. Rose of Lima School ■ 1291 Main Street ■ 22 Chateau Terrace ■ 807 Clinton Street ■ 250 Richmond Avenue ■ Liberty Tailors ■ 1966 Niagara Street ■ 1942 Niagara Street ■ 1930 Niagara Street ■ 2018 Main Street, Niagara Falls NY 14305 ■ 1940 Niagara Street ■ 1932 Niagara Street ■ 1035 Jefferson Avenue ■ 701 Third Street, Niagara Falls ■ The Turtle - Native American Center for the Arts ■ Nabisco Elevator, Niagara Falls ■ 945 Washington Street ■ 941 Washington Street ■ 931 Washington Street ■ 929 Washington Street ■ 927 Washington Street ■ Prophet Isaiah's Second Coming House ■ 1681 Main Street ■ 1215 Niagara Street ■ 882 West Avenue ■ 878 West Avenue ■ 29 Minton Street ■ Paramount Lodge

Added 2014-03-06 • Last changed 2023-01-12

Buffalo | Commercial Buildings | Houses | Lost Buildings | Non-Buildings | Waterfront | West Side