Historic Linwood Avenue Homes Tour

The historic Linwood Avenue tour of homes was last Sunday, and I was able to catch a lot of the places on the list.  The tour guide book alone was worth the price of admission! It was a day of intermittent rain and drizzle, so the pictures didn't turn out well, and I wasn't able to go back on a sunny day, so it is what it is.

Speaking of the weather, it had the effect of putting a few homeowners on edge, while others were more laid back.  This was also reflected in their inner sanctums. Some were set for maximum show with possible professional assistance, and others were more lived in, while still others were a combination of the two.

There was so much to see that I'll break this down into 3 separate posts. First of all. the district is very old and is still very beautiful, even though slumlords tried their best to drag it down.  This house here was my first stop.  It was built in 1893 for the Schaefer family.  The style is known as Queen Anne. Many of the homes featured turrets.

Across the street at134 is a beauty built in 1894 for the Muenschauers. The 3rd floor ballroom (!) has been converted to a separate living space.  The servants quarters were directly across the hallway.

Further down Linwood at 549 was another in like fashion, however the 3rd floor was a master bedroom - absolutely gorgeous (no pictures allowed).  The first floor was magnificently decorated, while the second was more homey and featured the original iceboxes in the 2nd floor kitchen.  This house also had a memorable whole room devoted to shoes :)

Then there was the duplex at 531-533, built in 1920.  The furnishings consisted mainly of an antique collection left largely in the "found" state, warts and all.  Only one side was open, but it had a lot of living space.

Another home at 293 Linwood, built in 1894, shingle style, was originally owned by Wilhem Willink, a name familiar to Clarence history buffs. Later on it became a tuberculosis treatment center. The current owners have converted part of the downstairs to an area for performance arts.

A few more houses (not on the tour this year) caught my eye, especially the top one - that one looks haunted to me.  One note on that - many of the owners said that there ghosts were friendly, while one flat out denied having any extra residents.  Maybe they just haven't shown themselves yet...

All seem to be in various stages of restoration, and all are proudly presented by their current owners, and rightfully so.

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Curiously, I had these pictures all ready to go this morning but didn't make time to put them on the blog.  Then a story about this very building appeared online on the site of the Buffalo News.  Prescient?  Nah, I'll go with coincidence :)  Notice too how considerate of other, more historic, buildings they were when the Convention Center was built.

St. Mary's on the Hill - Part 3

There's been a lot in the paper lately about St. Mary's on the Hill, located at 783 Niagara Street.  There's also a former school located around the corner on Vermont Street that doesn't appear to be in that bad of shape, all things considered.

To some it looks like a pile of rubble.

Others with talent and vision see it and make tentative plans.

Unfortunately it seems others have made opposing plans. Where to point fingers first?  The Peace Bridge Authority who has put the word out that it covets everything in its vicinity?  Maybe the woman who bought it in a foreclosure sale for a "daycare center", but may have been hoping for a buyout from the aforementioned PBA.  She's got an offer from Savarino, but is balking - why? Maybe she's using the offer as a carrot in order to defraud a potential investor who will shell out more.

How about the City of Buffalo? The roof apparently was in danger of caving in so the City removed it, and in the process caused more damage.

 Now the City claims that the building is an imminent danger to all and must be demolished now, after all its been in housing court for 2 whole years.  Now, that might sound like a lot to those who have never badgered the City regarding absentee/slumlords aka "investors", but its really just a drop in the bucket amid years worth of adjournments.  Then there's the little glitch whereas if the property changes hands, even among various entities of the same main people, the process starts all over. 

There are lots of buildings in Buffalo that have this history of procrastination, so what's the hurry now?  Afraid Savarino might fix the corner up and make it harder for the Peace Bridge Authority's proposed wholesale demolition of a historic neighborhood to take place?

(see also part 1 and part 2)

Eschelman's in Clarence Center

Pretty interesting mini-history of Eschelman's Store, corner of Goodrich and Clarence Center in the video .As seen on WKBW:



When I was little that store was called Bratt's, run by an in-law, and another Eschelman's was across the street where the day care center is now. Bratt's stayed in business a bit longer and had a corner on the penny candy trade.

Wordless Wednesday - Wilson Greatbatch at the Clarence History Museum (or "I was warned that there was a mannequin upstairs, but I still jumped...")

Devil's Cave in Harris Hill

Last week Brandon left a comment asking whether anyone remembered Devil's Cave in Harris Hill.

"Does anyone out there remember "Devil's Cave" that was located behind the Richardson's Root Beer Stand, next to Nativity school???? I spent a lot of my youth in this extensive cave system. I remember that the guy who bought the property, said that he was going to bulldoze it closed back in 1959-1960.
the cave extended to the basement of the Harris Hill Hometown cleaners, and was one of the Main St stagecoach stops in the 1800's"

Being a few years younger than he is, it didn't ring a bell, so I decided to do some exploring of my own.  Who better to go to than Clarence alumnus ('84) Doug Kohler?   Besides wearing the hat of Erie County Historian, teacher, and being part of the Clarence History Museum, he has written a book about Harris Hill.

"His recollection matches with much of the information I gathered in interviews for the Harris Hill book. In fact, there is a hand drawn map of Devil's Cave in the book. Any connection with the Underground Railroad, though, is merely speculation."

If I had read it I would have known that...So I went to the History Museum and picked up a copy.  The map! Click to enlarge...

To learn more about Harris Hill read the book!  I know I'm going to :)

All 4 books about Clarence are available at the History Museum on Main Street in Clarence on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons or online through Buffalo Books (print order form separately as far as I know).  Become a fan of the Clarence Historical Society on Facebook too!

Wordless Wednesday - The Botanical Gardens

(link)

Father Baker's

When Father Baker's is mentioned many think of being sent there as children.  That was a home for wayward boys, but girls heard the words too.  It was synonymous with "straighten up!"  Who knew there was so much more?

Father Baker had been an orphan, and when he became a priest he dedicated his life to those less fortunate, especially children.  He also built the magnificent Our Lady of Victory Basilica in South Park Avenue in Lackawanna, just past Ridge Road.  The view from the parking lot, which doesn't give it justice:

Went there for a short bit on Saturday but didn't take many pictures.  For one thing, thee were small groups of people in there, both sightseeing and praying.  Although it is open to tourists when there isn't a mass scheduled, I don't think everyone appreciates gawkers.  One group came in and softly burst into a verse of Ave Maria, which seemed fitting.

The stained glass is beautiful, there are many smaller alters, and the Stations of the Cross stay with the visitors throughout. It is said that there are 1000's of angels everywhere, both inside and out.  Two are pictured here (click to enlarge):

 

 

There is a museum on the ground floor dedicated to the life of Father Nelson H. Baker, who is within the steps for sainthood.  His crypt is also located in a grotto near the front alter (the immediate history is here). Even if someone hadn't been kneeling in front I probably wouldn't have raised the camera.  Different than a headstone; it seems disrespectful.

Like I said, I didn't take many pictures, but you can visit the website, or better yet, go there and be awestruck in person!

Wordless Wednesday - CCVFC in Winter

Richard Dunker II - RIP

(Clarence alumnus '79) Richard E. Dunker II, age 48, of Arab Hill Road, passed away January 20, 2010, with his loving family at his side.


He was born July 8, 1961, in Buffalo, a son of Richard and Lorraine McDonald Dunker, and graduated from Clarence High School and the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. Richard was united in marriage to the former Kimberly Calhoun, on October 20, 1990 in Clarence, NY. He was a licensed aircraft mechanic, worked several years for US Airways in Pittsburgh, and later as a project leader at Empire Aero in Rome. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy, and attended the Rome Alliance Church.


Richard was a devoted father, husband, and son. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding his Harley-Davidson.


Richard is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly and children, Sean and Hannah Dunker; his mother, Loraine Dunker; and brother, Kurt S. Dunker.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday at 4:00 PM at the Rome Alliance Church. There were no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.

A memorial service will also be held at 11am Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Nativity of the BVM Church at Main and Harris Hill.

The family wishes to thank the Doctors and Staff of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, for their care, compassion and friendship extended to Richard during his illness.

Memorial donations may be made to a scholarship fund for Richard’s children @ Americu Credit Union, Rome, New York.


(from the memory page on the site of Barry Funeral Home and the Clarence Bee)

Wordless Wednesday - Lady Liberty West