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  #1  
Old Posted May 27, 2018, 1:58 AM
benp's Avatar
benp benp is offline
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Bufalo, New York - Black Rock

Black Rock is a neighborhood in the northwestern section of Buffalo, as was formerly part of the Town of Black Rock, a losing rival of Buffalo for the Erie Canal terminus, that was absorbed by the City of Buffalo in 1853. The neighborhood is much smaller than its namesake town, but is within the area of the former shipyards at the mouth of Scajaquada Creek, dating to at least the 1700s, and the heavy industries which formed along the creek in the early 1800s.

The area was and is still primarily working class, and has some of the oldest existing housing in Buffalo, which along with Black Rock was burned in the War of 1812. The area is also filled with churches built by waves of immigrants since the 1830s, and which continue to arrive today with significant Burmese and African arrivals this century. Many of the former industries, however, no longer exist, and there are many vacant factories and land area, although in just the last 5 years a significant number have been converted to other uses and more are on the way. Despite being a poorer area, the population has been increasing and development from the wealthier Elmwood area and Buffalo State College has given the Grant-Amherst area of Black Rock a "hipster" reputation.


IMG_1056
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Assumption Church was the center of the Black Rock Polish community.

IMG_1039
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Amherst Street - the market is the longest continuing operating market in the city.

IMG_1042
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Neighborhood homes near Amherst Street, dating back to at least the 1880s.

IMG_1045
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The area maintains an "old neighborhood" feel today.

IMG_1047
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1052
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The corner of Grant and Amherst Street, which has been re-developing as a commercial destination after several decades of neglect.
IMG_1053
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The first fire station in Buffalo built for a gasoline powered fire engine, now converted to a private residence.

IMG_1038
by bpawlik, on Flickr

One of the oldest homes in Buffalo, built around 1830, used as a residence today. The following photos are in the same area, near the location of the former Black Rock Market Square at Niagara Street, which now only exists as a small park.

IMG_1058
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1061
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1063
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1064
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1066
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1067
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1068
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1069
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1070
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Unlike most of Buffalo, many homes in Black Rock were built without basements, and were often referred to as "cottages" by old-time residents. Some homes were also built two-deep on the narrow lots. Houses in this area show build dates in city records as early as 1824, just 11 years after the town was burned by the British.

IMG_1071
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1073
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1074
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1075
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1080
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Grant and Military Road, which was built to connect American Fort Niagara with Black Rock in order to avoid the British portage route along the Niagara. The following photos are also near this intersection, which has kept its business structures intact, including the former Unity Theater.

IMG_1309
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1308
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The Burmese community has blended in with previous residents of the area.

IMG_1307
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The corner of Tonawanda and Ontario Streets, where Black Rock meets the Riverside neighborhood.

IMG_1301
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1299
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Adjacent to Black Rock, there are recreational harbors near the entrance to the Black Rock Lock, which is part of the Black Rock Canal that runs parallel to the Niagara River along the Erie Canal path.


IMG_1081
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1083
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1085
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Across the Black Rock Canal lies Unity Island, a former waste dump now cleaned and converted to a well-used park by the local community. The International Railway Bridge crosses from Black Rock to Canada, and was built in 1873. Black Rock once had an extensive railroad yard, and much of it lies vacant today and held in private hands by speculators.

IMG_1090
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The Black Rock Canal continues for about 7 km where it enters the harbors of Buffalo. During the construction of the Erie Canal in the 1820s, the water in the current canal was blocked by "black rock" which gave the town its name, and also prevented ships from traveling as far as Lake Erie without entering the swift Niagara River current. Canal sponsors blew up the rock formation, and Black rock not only lost its namesake, it also lost the terminus to the canal, and eventually its independence as a separate city.

West Ferry lift bridge:

IMG_1291
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Bird Island Pier separating the canal from the Niagara, with the Peace Bridge to Canada in the background.

IMG_1103
by bpawlik, on Flickr

View of Canada and the USA-Canada border

IMG_1270
by bpawlik, on Flickr

The remains of the "black rock" alongside the Bird Island pier.

IMG_1109
by bpawlik, on Flickr

end

Last edited by benp; Oct 24, 2020 at 2:03 AM.
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  #2  
Old Posted May 27, 2018, 2:39 PM
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EastSideHBG EastSideHBG is offline
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Nice!
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Right before your eyes you're victimized, guys, that's the world of today and it ain't civilized.
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  #3  
Old Posted May 27, 2018, 8:57 PM
stormkingfan stormkingfan is offline
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Enjoyed these photos. I used to live in Riverside and sometimes rode the bus through Black Rock.
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  #4  
Old Posted May 27, 2018, 9:08 PM
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benp benp is offline
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One more Black Rock image that I took today that many people seem awfully excited about.

IMG_1240
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Last edited by benp; Oct 23, 2020 at 7:53 PM.
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  #5  
Old Posted May 28, 2018, 10:16 PM
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Was a Loblaws in the 60's and 70's
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  #6  
Old Posted May 30, 2018, 5:05 PM
IMBY IMBY is offline
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Thanks so much for the tour!
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  #7  
Old Posted May 31, 2018, 8:26 PM
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Older image of the area:

Passing thru the Black Rock Lock a couple of years ago. The original lock was built as part of the Erie Canal, while the current lock was constructed in 1914. It is 200m in length, and rises 8 feet to separate the downstream river level from the lake level at the end of the canal.

DSCF1429
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Last edited by benp; Oct 23, 2020 at 7:53 PM.
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  #8  
Old Posted Jun 5, 2018, 11:51 PM
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benp benp is offline
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Market Square Park, near the corner of Niagara and Amherst Streets, former location of Black Rock Market Square in the early 1800s.

IMG_1060
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Strong Catholic community of descendants of Polish, Hungarian, Ukrainian, and states of the former Yugoslavia remain in the community, along with newer members.

IMG_1044
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Amherst Street business district, roughly 2 km long, has been preserved and many businesses are re-occupying the buildings, including popular bars, restaurants, and music clubs. Across the street (not shown) was the location of former foundries and paint factories, closed and demolished in the 1970s and 1980s, now occupied by a small shopping center along with vacant land.

IMG_1054
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Many former industrial buildings, particularly near to and including the former Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company plant have been, or are in the process of being redeveloped and re-purposed for retail, commercial, and residential use, with hundreds of new apartments added to the area.

IMG_1032
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1065
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Last edited by benp; Oct 23, 2020 at 7:53 PM.
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  #9  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2018, 1:34 PM
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xzmattzx xzmattzx is offline
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Nice pictures! Black Rock is one of my favorite Buffalo neighborhoods, mainly because of the history, but also because of the waterfront.
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  #10  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2018, 4:08 PM
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pj3000 pj3000 is offline
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Thanks for the tour and history lesson! The resemblance to neighborhoods in my hometown of Erie is uncanny. Very good to see this long-neglected area of Buffalo on the comeback. Witnessing the overall revitalization in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland finally gaining a strong foothold has me optimistic for the future after decades of frustration.
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  #11  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2018, 4:09 PM
Omaharocks Omaharocks is offline
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Nice photos!

To my eye, Buffalo looks a lot like Milwaukee. Makes sense.
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  #12  
Old Posted Jun 9, 2018, 4:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaharocks View Post
Nice photos!

To my eye, Buffalo looks a lot like Milwaukee. Makes sense.
Yeah, many of the Great Lakes cities definitely resemble each other in layout and architectural style... well, actually more like the swath of cities strecthing west from western Massachusetts/western Connecticut through the Great Lakes.
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  #13  
Old Posted Jun 26, 2018, 12:36 AM
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benp benp is offline
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IMG_1277
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Sadly, 2 men lost their lives here today after entering the water to retrieve some driftwood.

Earlier this year, a rescue diver also lost his his life here during a training exercise.

Last edited by benp; Oct 23, 2020 at 7:54 PM.
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  #14  
Old Posted Oct 28, 2018, 3:06 AM
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There some affordable apartments overlooking the Niagara River, but somewhat isolated from the rest of the neighborhood.


IMG_1320
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Near the Market Square the 19th century business district is finally seeing some signs of new life:


IMG_1324
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1325
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1332
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1339
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1340
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181021_095939869_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181021_095958401_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181021_100114296_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181021_100153433_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Factory buildings along the Belt Line railroad are seeing new life as they are being renovated for new businesses and apartments operating alongside existing businesses and factories.

IMG_20181026_094806493
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1033
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_094815113
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_094909370_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr

This residential area at one time had taverns occupying nearly every corner as late as the 1980s, serving the thousand of local factory workers. While several still exist, many are now being used as apartments or awaiting new lives.

IMG_20181026_095245372_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_095351934
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_100058978_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr

Unoccupied and derelict factory and warehouse buildings, many vacant for decades, are being rebuilt and re-used on another street near the Belt Line. On this particular street demand is exceeding availability, and additional vacant buildings are being redone.


IMG_20181026_095508512_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_095520176_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_095553410_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_095616662_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_20181026_095631913_HDR
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Last edited by benp; Oct 23, 2020 at 7:58 PM.
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  #15  
Old Posted Oct 24, 2020, 1:00 AM
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benp benp is offline
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It has been over 2 years since I updated the Black Rock imagery. Since then I got a new camera, there has been a lot of local building restoration taking place, and I took some more time to wander through many more streets and alleys. Today was also a beautiful Indian Summer day, so I took a bike ride with my camera.

The bulk of the images were taken today, and the rest of the newer images were taken in 2019 or later.


Assumption Church from Scajaquada Bridge
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Black Rock neighborhood homes
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Under the Viaducts - Black Rock Rail Yard
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Shoreline Trail
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Precinct 13
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Fenced
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Ukranian Social Club
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Chandler Street Revival
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Chandler Street
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Chandler Street
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Grote Street conversions
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Next street to be converted?
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Railyard Lofts - recently converted
by bpawlik, on Flickr


The Showplace, formerly Unity Theater (1910)
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_1202
by bpawlik, on Flickr


St. Elizabeth of Hungary
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Polish Cadets
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Swing Closing over Black Rock Canal
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Passing Thru
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Black Rock Shipyard
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Very Mixed-Use
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2816
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2815
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Zip 14207
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2813
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2810
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2818
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Black Rock Pop
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Jasper Parrish projects
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2823
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Emily's
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2828
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Old and Narrow
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Tesla's Terminal A
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2833
by bpawlik, on Flickr


The Corner Barber
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2839
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2840
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2841
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2844
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2846
by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2865
by bpawlik, on Flickr


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by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2872
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2873
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2874
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2878
by bpawlik, on Flickr


One of several rehab/conversions
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2885
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2887
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2888
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2890
by bpawlik, on Flickr


Military-Amherst
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2893
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2895
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2897
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2899
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2903
by bpawlik, on Flickr

IMG_2904 by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2907
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2908
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2910
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2913
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2914
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2916
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2919
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2921
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2922
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2923
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2925
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2926
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2927
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2928
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2929
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2931
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2935
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2937
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2938
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2939
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2940
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2943
by bpawlik, on Flickr


IMG_2945
by bpawlik, on Flickr


New Paint
by bpawlik, on Flickr



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  #16  
Old Posted Oct 24, 2020, 1:12 AM
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jdcamb jdcamb is offline
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Pretty cool stuff...
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