Western New York Heritage

Buffalo Inner Harbor Aerial View 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 mercantile Central and Long Wharf areas. The D. L. & W. had opened its new passenger terminal.

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.

Aerial view of the Inner Harbor from the south.

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 mercantile Central and Long Wharf areas. The D. L. & W. had opened its new passenger terminal in 1917.

Image from the 1924 Ronne & Watson aerial survey.