An Inkling of Buffalo

This public domain work – originally published by Charles W. Sumner in 1886 – consists exclusively of pen drawings of various Buffalo buildings and landmarks in the late 19th century. The following is paraphrased from the last pages of the book …

Buffalo, a city of vast commercial importance situated at the extreme eastern end of Lake Erie, has a population of about 240,000.

Its harbor is formed by the Buffalo River, navigable for over two miles; the entrance being protected by a breakwater 2,000 feet long. The forty grain elevators – capable of receiving and transferring 3,000,000 bushels of grain daily – become necessary as the tonnage of vessels – arrivals and clearances – reached the enormous amount of 4,145,886 tons for the year 1886.

Some twenty railroads and 440 miles of tracks inside the city limits (more than any other city in the world) make it an important railroad centre.

Its “East Buffalo” stockyards are the second largest in the country.

The Park – Parade and Front, with connecting boulevards – in all about 500 acres – form an interesting feature, and afford many beautiful and pleasing drives. It has 140 miles of paved streets – 30 of which are asphalt – balance of stone.

Then the City Building – a granite structure costing $1,300,000. Music Hall, Library, Natural Gas, Western terminus Erie Canal, belt line railroad, 50 miles of streetcar tracks, numerous benevolent institutions, hospitals, etc., besides the innumerable business houses, all add to its importance. (All mentioned in this book are of leading ones in their respective lines.)