West Buffalo Street from the corner of Main Street, c. 1915.
Warsaw NY
West Buffalo Street from the corner of Main Street, c. 1915.
Founded in 1803, Warsaw's historic architecture
reflects the last decades of the 19th century when its population more than
doubled in a few years as a result of the discovery of salt underground. New
industries and homes were built, many in grand style
by newly wealthy entrepreneurs.
The same perspective in 2005. West Buffalo Street is also known as Rte 20A;
Main Street is Rte. 19.
The west side of Main Street, looking from the intersection of Buffalo Street,
c. 1915
By 1900, the "salt boom" was over,
but the village grew other industries fueled by the money made from that era.
The
monument at the traffic circle, right center, was erected to commemorate the
Civil War and Warsaw's very active role
in the Abolition movement.
The same view in 2005.
Warsaw escaped the effects of the Urban Renewal
movement. Its downtown was shaped mostly by fires, as were so many
small town business districts.
The east side of Main Street from the intersection of Buffalo Street, c. 1915.
Industries at the turn of the century included
the Warsaw Button Company, a box factory, knitting mills, the Warsaw Elevator
Company. Although the Oatka Creek was not a good source for water powered industry,
the village had successfully petitioned the
railroads to come through the village and so the community was well-connected
for passenger and
manufacturing transportation.
The same view in 2005.
Warsaw, as Wyoming County Seat, has continued
to be a hub for business and shopping, but the village expanded
north along Main Street, increasingly away from the center of the village. In
2005, Wal-Mart, Tops, and several plazas
line Rte. 19 out of town.