Art & Performance
Gallery: The Raft
New gallery opened fall 2021 at 1255 Niagara Street.
“Part of the role of The Raft will be to connect regional artists with collaborators, critics, and collectors. They are doing this by banding together with a project space in Bushwick Brooklyn (for example), which will help to open doors for artists looking to further their reach beyond WNY. The goal is to create opportunities for the artists, by getting their works seen by broader audiences.” Buffalo Rising. Full article here.
Underground Railroad and Broderick Park
Broderick Park is now under renovation and can be touted as a jewel of a park.
Broderick Park is located at the foot of West Ferry and Niagara Street. It is a jewel of a park and is currently being restored and renovated under coordination of the City of Buffalo and Broderick Park Steering Committee. Broderick Park is recognized by the US National Park Service as a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
Fishing is a popular sport at Broderick Park as well as along the bike path heading north from the park to Unity Island. The waters are habitat for the emerald shriner, and the waterways are an important migratory route for many species of birds and fish.
War of 1812
War of 1812
Many battles throughout the War of 1812 were fought along the shores of Niagara River. Numerous batteries were built, often as temporary structures including Swift’s Battery near Lafayette Avenue and Niagara Street, Dudley’s Battery near Breckenridge Avenue and Niagara Street, and Gibson’s Battery near Ferry and Niagara Streets.. A commemorative plaque is located at 1010 Niagara Street, once the site of Ft. Tompkins Battery from 1812 to 1814.
Belt Line
Photo courtesy of Chris Hawley
In 1883, a railroad line opened in the rapidly growing city of Buffalo making it possible to move people and goods to factories and housing in a 15 mile track that circled the city. Many consider the tracks as potential to bring back to life a transportation system that could once again service the community. The Belt Line sits on much of the Niagara Street corridor and is part of what some label “Rust Belt chic”.
From a guidebook dated 1899, shared by Marty Biniarz.
International Community Upper Rock
“Many come as refugees from countries as far apart as Bhutan, Burma and Iraq, as well as Somalia, Eritrea, Liberia and Cuba. According to the Buffalo-based Journey’s End Refugee Services, there were some 1,600 refugees resettled in Buffalo last year, with another 2,000 expected this year.” Advincula, Anthony. “A Diverse Ethnic Community Breathes Life into Buffalo, NY.”Highbrow Magazine. October 18, 2013
Niagara Street corridor is an international community.
Photo courtesy of kta preservation specialists
Upper Black Rock Historic District
Properties outlined are all contributing buildings in the historic district.
Application has been filed with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation for Black Rock Canal-Belt Line-Niagara Street Industrial Heritage Historic District. The application has been approved by Buffalo Common Council.
Seaway Trail
Great Lakes Seaway Trail
Niagara Street is part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, a 518 mile National Scenic Byway in the northeastern United States.
