771 Busti (part 2), A House by the Peace Bridge

Quite a while back I wrote about the Wilkeson House at 771 Busti, along with several other homes. They were purchased (after some browbeating and implicit threats) by the Peace Bridge Authority in order to build a parking lot, and then left to rot. So, of course they are vacant, boarded up, and deteriorating! That was part of the plan!

In 1980 771 Busti was lived in and loved...

...by 1996 it had been bought and boarded, with others soon to follow, and the rest is history, but not the good kind....A few weeks ago the chain link fences went up...

Just looking at the property records, it seems that there was quite the turnover in the effected houses starting in the late 80's to people who then sold out...wonder if they knew something in advance? No way of proving it, and real estate speculation is as old as the land the PBA covets.

Speaking of which, down at the end of the block at the corner of Busti and Massachusetts sits the former Episcopal Nursing Home.

Not all that long ago it was filled with people...than unfounded rumors started that the place was going to go down along with the houses. People panicked and didn't chose for their loved ones to reside there. Others moved while they still had a choice. Soon the owners were all stressed and declared they had to close...well...they managed to build a spanking new place out in the 'burbs, although I don't think many, if any, of their former residents followed.

And then they waited, and waited, waited for the buy-out that never came.  Meanwhile they quit paying on loans, taxes, and other financial things specific to that building.  But then the governor tossed some $15 mil in a Peace Bridge related pot and said use this for whatever (wink wink)...Wow...that just about covers any liens and a good chunk of demolition (people who think demo's don't cost any taxpayer money are sadly deluded)...Coincidence? I think not.

To the rescue came Mayor Byron Brown...thank you Mayor...urging restraint, however temporary that may be. Also, the Campaign 4 Greater Buffalo rode in and obtained a court order for a stay of execution, pending further review. Thanks!  What I would like to see is the PBA be held liable for the dereliction of the houses and ordered to restore them. I won't hold my breath though.

I still worry about the Hutchinson Chapel too, connected to the Episcopal Home by a walkway...

Supposedly it will be saved, but moved. It's historic where it is, not somewhere else! Building the shiny new duty free store around it might be awkward though...sort of like Trico Plant#1 being built around the Weyand Brewery.  Maybe they'll move it next to its mother church, St. Mary's on the Hill...oh, wait...City took care of that already...maybe on the vacant lot where it once was. Meanwhile the Episcopal Church, one time owner of all, looks at the sky and whistles off key...

Despite what the unknowledgeable prefer to believe, there are a lot of beautiful sections of the City of Buffalo, some large and others small. Prospect Hill (the name of the area) is one of them...for now anyway.  By the time the PBA gets done it'll be a big parking lot and another duty free store. Is that number 3 or 4? The last one they built is only 7 years old...

...but that's considered progress, Buffalo-Style.

Bethlehem Steel

The last few days I've been hanging around just over the Buffalo border in Lackawanna, site of one of the last remaining vestiges of the days when steel was king and tens of thousands of people were employed in the mills. The work was hard, dirty, and very dangerous, but yet provided a steady paycheck, and a better life.

When the mills started shutting down, those who apparently could not land a job in any of the factories took up the company stance that the wages were too high. But people were getting sick and dying, and instead of shrugging it off as part of the job, they were starting to wonder why the plant didn't do more to protect the workers.  Environmental standards were making an appearance, and it was cheaper to import foreign steel, where standards in air quality, worker safety, and wages were/are non-existent.

As long as the administration building stands, it's not too late. Call the Mayor of Lackawanna and express a preference for repair and preservation instead of demolition with no plans for the vacant lot.  Lackawanna has a lot of those.  Of course, not everyone feels that way. Some see it as a symbol of promises not kept, capitalist greed linked with disregard for the common worker, jobs gone that will not return. Tear it down...like they'll ever forget.

These last few days it's been like a vigil, with people coming and going in shifts. Some are preservationists, both those who have been adamant about saving and preserving history and heritage for a while now, .and those younger, awakening to what is around them and what it means.

Then there are those who spent part or maybe a good portion of their lives in the mills. Some reminisce, some just come and look, perhaps taking a mental roll call of their co-workers...how they were then...how things are now...

There are places I'll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone, and some remain

All these places have their moments

With (people) and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all...

It's not living in the past...it's respecting the past, our heritage, our history, and looking to integrate it as we move forward.

Save St. Adalbert Basilica!

Despite being self-sustaining, Bishop Kmiec has ordered the shutdown of St. Adalbert Basilica on Stanislaus Street.  The last day as a full time church is scheduled for this upcoming Sunday. The people strenuously objected, much to the dismay of those who prefer to believe that demographers and the bishop can do no wrong.  As fast as the signs went up, some people felt a need to tear them down.  Ha...missed one...

Painting for Preservation did its last Art-In to bring attention to the plight of the devastated parishioners, and as a show of support. You can read about it in the Buffalo News, as well as view a few pictures here. Note the scaffolding...the people haven't given up.

It was a beautiful day, and wonderful homemade food and music were provided by the parishioners for all to enjoy. The keyboard player also played the sax, and as I was wandering down a side street she let loose with a plaintive solo that just seemed fitting, echoing through the quiet neighborhood.

There is an Ethiopian Orthodox Church across the street, and a few streets over I spotted some new domes peeking up over the houses. Later on I went over to check it out...

...and did a little research once I got home. While the main church is now a mosque/school (other building appears unused), the Holy Mother of the Rosary Polish National Cathedral was built in conjunction with St. Adalbert...sort of...Seems that back in the day the parishioners got in a bit of a battle with each other, things got ugly. Then the Diocese tried to dictate the outcome...some things never change. From my favorite church history site (click on link to read the rest):

The seat of the Buffalo-Pittsburgh Diocese of the Polish National Church, former parishioners of St. Adalbert's Church on Stanislaus Street founded the church after a period of discord resulted in their departure. Throughout the early years of St.Adalbert's, constant turmoil existed among the immigrant congregation. Some of the members were at odds with the Catholic Diocese over who controlled the property and buildings which they had built and maintained through their contributions. On 27 July, 1895 after an extended period of violence and bloodshed, the church enlisted the assistance of police in having thediscontented parishioners removed from church property. After their dismissals, they banded together and purchased property on Sobieski Street. On 8 August, 1895 they celebrated their firstmass on the vacant lot.

After enduring throughout the years, St. Adalbert should be saved and savored, not merely somewhat preserved, to gradually fade away. The faithful should be rewarded, not shunted off to another parish. Multiple priests staff the moneyed...surely some could be spared where the need is greater....Save St. Adalbert Basilica!

Anyway, the Art-Ins are done for the season, however samples of the artistry produced will be on exhibit at the Statler Hotel during the National Preservation Conference.  Until next year...

Lyth Cottage

The Lyth Cottage has been fairly accurately described as the Little House on the (Urban) Prairie. John Lyth started the first construction tile company and settled in the area of Jefferson/Northland because at the time it was considered country. To look at it now, it seems as though it's almost becoming one with nature once again.

It's located on Harwood Place in the Hamlin Park neighborhood. The street itself was once the driveway for the main house at 183 Northland. Luke Easter, of baseball fame, lived in this house also at one time.

Stables were located in the middle area. The street itself was deeded to the City of Buffalo in 1866. 16 Harwood was most likely the maid's cottage, and another cottage nearby (now demolished) was probably also for the help. It's being refurbished with love now, and lots of work!

A former owner drove up to see what was going on, and a nice gentleman, who enjoys walking the neighborhood (and also checked out a previous event at an old hardware store), stopped by to chat.

It seems he and his family once lived on the street right next to the remaining cottage. He is in total agreement that houses were built much better back then, and it's too bad they've been left to deteriorate. Being vacant, especially in winter, is hard on the housing stock.  The group has noticed that many times people will stop by and tell stories of back in the day, or else to find out about the building that they've walked by hundreds of times but never thought much about until now. Now they see it with new eyes.

FixBuffaloToday has done extensive research on the buildings, so I won't repeat it here. While you're at it, check out the update on Buffalo Rising regarding the new owner via the Homestead Program.

The Painting for Preservation Group organized the Art-In last Saturday, and I tagged along. A morning well spent! Check out the sidebar for the Painting for Preservation blog to get info on the next happening!

Buffalo: This Place Matters

Gardens on North Parade

There are only 2 days left to stroll down North Parade and view beautiful landscaping jobs that were donated as part of a group effort by various local landscapers (see here for an out of town viewpoint).  View and vote for the best ones that is.  The splendor will be there long after tomorrow.

I found myself getting distracted by the magnificent houses though.  Some need some work (and money to do it), some don't. It was a pleasure to see them all.  Their view is outstanding also as they all look out across Martin Luther King Jr. Park, which is right by the Science Museum (see blue line for specific garden walk area). This google map isn't entirely accurate in my opinion, as the museum is accessible from Best Street also and is in that x marked spot rather than where they have it...However I never knew how beautiful it appears from the back, looking from Northampton.

Just from the name "Parade" I knew it had been designed to be something special, and so it was.  From Buffalo Architectural History:

"The Parade, built in 1872, is intended by landscape designers Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux  for military drills and public gatherings. It quickly becomes a popular gathering place for the east side's German immigrants, who, like contemporary park users, frequently irritated nearby residents with loud and unruly behavior. The parade will be redesigned and renamed Humboldt Park in 1896.

The large circular fountain and wading pool will be added to thwart the use of the park as a vehicular shortcut. Olmsted will be deeply opposed to these changes but his firm, headed at the time by his son John, will proceed to alter the park at the City's request.

Humboldt Park (was) renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Park in 1978."

Back to the gardens and houses...I had 2 favorite houses at opposite ends of the street.  28/36 North Parade won out though, because I liked the gardens a tad better. Also the owner was outside watering and chatted a bit.  I had thought it must have been split into apartments at some point in time, but according to a real property search its still a one family house!

 At the other end was 84 North Parade with a totally different style (to my eyes anyway):

 And a few more on the street, although truthfully they are all beautiful - you should go see!

And finally, my Hospitality award went to a gentleman in mid block who welcomed everyone to the neighborhood yesterday evening without fail!   Thank you all for sharing!


UPDATE: Before and after pictures of all the homes, along with winners (mostly sorted by gardeners/nurseries, however everyone won something!

Wordless Wednesday - Lady Liberty West

Wordless Wednesday - Lady Liberty East

Nottingham Terrace

By the time I finally decided to brave the cold and get out of the house it was close to noon. The thought of the congestion at Wegman's as the afternoon goes on does have a way of forcing me out the door. Anyway, after three store stops I was going to go by Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park and try out my new camera, something that I had penciled in for 7am daybreak that never happened.

Anyway, as I was driving down Elmwood I had a brain glitch and turned left on the street in front of the History Museum instead of the Art Gallery. Even though I had been planning on dropping off the groceries before doing some genealogy research at the museum, I decided to stop there before I moved that task to the "should have" list.

Nice picture taking opportunities are in the neighborhood too, and since kid1 is finally showing an appreciation for Buffalo architecture after years of studying the basic facts in high school, I thought I'd help out a bit with her latest project. Good excuse anyway.

Rather than do the research in which hours can fly by rather quickly, I opted to take a stroll down Nottingham Terrace first. I only made it down the street about 10 houses before a chill set in and I decided to go back, taking pictures the whole way until my fingers about froze off - no gloves for me, I'm from Buffalo!

Once as I was snapping away I thought I heard someone tapping on a window, but I looked around and didn't see anyone shaking their finger at me, so I figured it was a woodpecker or something and carried on. Hoped no one thought I was casing the joint.

Anyway, those who aren't familiar with the city of Buffalo may spend too much much time listening to or reading from those ignorant souls who dismiss the city as one tumble down ghetto. Please don't - they don't have a clue what they're talking about (and don't care either, I imagine). Gorgeous homes abound in every section of the city, and the ones around here are on the top of many "must see" lists.





Trees kept getting in the shots...


...and one had foliage all around it, but I managed - autofocus is good for things like sticking the camera over ones head and hoping for the best.



Notice how the main entrance to this one is on the side...



I think a lot of them are like that, but I didn't really check it out.


This one holds a special memory for me though - or at least I think it was this one. Made the biggest visual impression at any rate:



Way back when I was in girl scouts we had taken a trip to the History Museum. The drivers had just dropped us off and were supposed to pick us up later. Don't know if they got distracted or it was assumed the building was open later than it actually was, but we ended up booted from the museum at closing time with no ride in sight. No cell phones either, of course.

It was very, very cold. After freezing solid, a small band of us decided to knock on doors and see if someone would let us in to warm up. Being kids had more to do with this school of thought than being from a rural area. Heck, in the real way out there areas people just leave their doors open. Anyway, we trudged from house to house, knocking on doors and being ignored.

Finally some residents felt sorry for us sniffling kids and let us into the entryway for a few minutes as they scurried around putting on jewelry and cuff links for a night out. As we worked on warming up we soon forgot about the cold as we looked around, vaulted ceilings and everything. Wow. Soon we were back at the museum getting yelled at, but it I never forgot it.

Nowadays I live fairly close by, but a world apart. Close enough to mosey by on a whim however! So if the people in these beautiful homes see a woman taking pictures of their houses, maybe with a teenager or 2 along side, its just me.

I won't be knocking on any doors though :)