Buffalo Inner Harbor 1924

Aerial view of the Inner Harbor. The sandy-appearing area at upper right is Times Beach. In a few years (1935), it will be opened to the public for bathing.


The 1920's were a static period for the inner harbor, in between two periods of change. By this time, the "old" Erie Canal visible
above was no longer in use, having been supplanted in 1918 by the Barge Canal. The waterfront was nearly completely built up
by the D. L. & W Railroad, which replaced the old merchantile Central and Long Wharf areas. The D. L. & W. had opened
its new passenger terminal in 1917.

Coming in the 1930's was the construction of the Memorial Auditorium. The old Erie Canal bed and Commercial Slip would be
filled in. And the "canal district," the impoverished immigrant neighborhood by the harbor with so much colorful and unlawful
history will begin to be demolished completely.

Image from the 1924 Ronne & Watson aerial survey.

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