c. 1880s Image source: BECHS
First occupant of the land at the foot of Genesee Street was the Buffalo Gas Light Company in 1848, the first gas-manufacturing facility in the country. Over the decades, it became part of Iroquois Gas, now National Fuel Gas. |
1964. Image source: Library of Congress
The gas company retained ownership of the facility after gas manufacturing ceased. Note the vacant land around the facility and on the lake side of the Thruway. |
1978. Image source: private collection
The Waterfront School (right edge of image) has been constructed (1976) and the transformation of the Erie Basin has been completed (1974). No waterfront housing had been developed on the shore. |
2004
| The land formerly occupied by the gasworks was cleared, including environmental remediation of the former manufacturing facility. The 1859 John Selkirk facade of the old complex was retained for incorporation into the design of the new Blue Cross headquarters. More views of the gasworks here. Townhomes had been constructed along the shoreline and one high-rise condominium building is complete. |
2010