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Buffalo and Western New York’s History at Buffalonian.com

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What is The Buffalonian?

As founder Steve Powell puts it. “We are a “NOT-COM” dedicated to the dissemination of historical information… We are a nonprofit organization creating an online community and archive.”

Once upon a time there was a Western New York newspaper called The Daily Buffalonian.

The original Buffalonian was Founded in 1839 by Thomas Low Nichols who acted as publisher and editor.

The Buffalonian boldly printed what others only whispered. Nichols bravely published an article attacking six of Buffalo’s richest and most prominent citizens of behaving as the power elite. Facing the same charges as his contemporary and peer PT Barnum, Nichols was tried, convicted and jailed for libel.

Using his jail time wisely, Nichols continued to edit the Buffalo from his cell, and later published his writings as a “Journal in Jail” which he kept during his four month Imprisonment in the Jail of Eire County[1840].

The Files of Nichols Daily Buffalonian still reside in the archives of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. The paper reads with a sparkle and animation and often feels contemporary. Not only the Buffalonian but other papers from the 19th century–the Courier, the Express, the Commercial Advertiser–contain ‘news’ of value–and entertainment.

We have built a “new” Buffalonian to provide glimpses from and into the past to enrich the present.

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Peoples pages

Gifts

PHOTO GALLERY

The George Coit homestead, southeast corner Swan and Pearl Streets, was built in 1818.It was moved to Virginia near Elmwood Av.in the 1870’s. The last private owner was J. Henry Priebe, Sr. who saved it from destructioon in the latter part of the 20th Century. Photo: From the Picturebook of Earlier Buffalo.

TRIVIA/QUOTE

How Did Buffalo Get It’s Name?
Answer: As far as I am concerned, I think the origin of the name is quite simple. The name “Buffalo Creek”…more>>

Video

“A Round for the House”
A look at the cultural and social impact of alcohol consumption (drinking) on American history…

HNEWS

William J. Donovan (a.k.a. “Wild Bill”) Takes on Buffalo

By Stephen Powell

Probably one of the more notable events in Buffalo History were when then District Attorney William J. Donovan executed a couple of raids in Buffalo on prominent Buffalonians during Prohibition.

What did he do to make people hate him so much? He touched the untouchables and conducted raids on two exclusive speakeasies and in a separate case charged the Mayor of Buffalo with trafficking liquor (bootlegging).

. …more>>

1872 -GOOD TEMPLARS’ COLUMN.

Jas. B. Erwin, Editor
The Influence of Public Opinion


To bring this to bear against intemperance has been regarded by not a few as the chief method of subduing the evil.  Too much, I think, is hoped from it.
One obvious remark is, that the classes most exposed to intemperance are removed very much from the power of public opinion.  But passing over this, I think we generally look to this influence for more than it can accomplish; we lay upon it a greater weight than it can bear.
Public opinion may even work against the cause which it is meant to support, when made a substitute for individual exertion.
A man, temperate because public opinion exacts it, has not the virtue of temperance nor a stable ground of temperance habits.  Opinion no longer affords steady guidance which in former times supplied the place of private judgment and individual principle.  There is no truth which sophistry does not assail, no falsehood which may not become a party bond. …more>>

HISTORY

VIDEO: The Mystery of Sadie McMullen

In 1890, Sadie McMullin during a fit of insanity threw Delia Brown Age 6 and Nellie May Conners age 8 off of the Railroad bridge over Murder Creek in Akron, N.Y.
After trial, Sadie was committed to the Buffalo State Insane Asylum in Buffalo, New York for a period of two-years.
After she was released, she vanished with out a trace and was never seen or heard from again…

…more>>

This building is also known as the HH Richardson Complex, State Insane Asylum, State Lunatic Asylum, Buffalo State Hospital, Buffalo Psychiatric Center is located at 400 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY

The 1967 Riots
in Buffalo, N.Y.

Prelininary Report on the Disturbances in Buffalo June 26 -July 1. 1967.By the Staff of the Store Front Education Centers.

(10.02.04) In 1967, riots that rocked the East side of Buffalo from June 26th through July 1st of that year, virtually shutting down the city. In one night (June 28th) of Violence over 40 people were hurt, 14 with gunshot wounds. For an analysis of the riots click on the images on the right and you can read the report of the causes of the racially motivated uprising.

RED JACKET’S SPEECH

1822
The Chiefs of the Seneca Nation of Indians lately held a Council in this village, (Batavia) and requested several of the citizens of this place to attend; when their celebrated chief and orator, Red Jacket delivered the following eloquent address. The publications which lately appeared in the Niagara Journal, and several other papers, signed by five Indians of the Christian party, Jasper Parish and H. Jones, it appears called forth from Red Jacket the following justification of himself and nation. He addressed himself particularly to……more>>

Buffalo’s Cemeteries

The beginning of the present century [1800’s], as we have before stated in this work, Capt. William Johnston, a British officer, owned a tract of about forty acres of land in the center of what is now the business portion of Buffalo; this tract was bounded on the north by Seneca street; on the west by Washington street; on the south by Little Buffalo Creek …more>>

VIDEO

Watch the Video Trailer for the History of Buffalo Breweries

THE KKK IN BUFFALO, NY
The Following is a very rare 1924 list of an alleged list of the full Ku Klux Klan Membership roster for Buffalo, NY and surrounding towns. This list was posted in Buffalo’s City Hall by Mayor F.X. Schwab and generated quite a stir. See it for yourself: …more>>

(05.12.2003): Page Added -This is the KKK Membership for confectioners -chemical workers in WNY.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

PEDALING HISTORY BICYCLE MUSEUM.
Large collection of historic bicycles and related memorabilia.

COFELD JUDAIC MUSEUM. Over 1,000 Judaic artifacts dating from the 10th century to the present.

KARPELES MANUSCRIPT LIBRARY MUSEUM. “Buffalo Creek Revisited.” Exhibition showcasing the Bufalo Creek Treaty of 1838.

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