10/2/2023 0 Comments Bijou restaurant buffalo![]() The area began to see a turnaround toward 2010 with the real estate market surging and increased interest in development. The 1980's, 1990's and 2000's were a rough stretch for the district, hitting low points in business retail, foot traffic and overall activity. Theaters began closing and buildings became leveled as the vacancies piled up. Businesses that once lined Main Street moved to malls and plazas in Cheektowaga, West Seneca and beyond. Highways were constructed to support this demand, including the 198 and 33. By the 1970's, downtown Buffalo began its infamous decline as retailers and residents made the great migration to the prosperous suburbs. Sadly, these are just a few of the many examples in which the city's history was demolished in the name of progress.Īs they say, all good things come to an end. Pratt established the Pratt and Letchworth Company, founded Manufacturers' and Traders' Bank (M&T Bank), supported the Buffalo Female Academy (Buffalo Seminary), supported the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (Albright-Knox Art Gallery) and was a big influencer and donator to the Frederick Law Olmstead-designed park system. Pratt lived at 736 Main Street, which was demolished for the current Potter Building after his passing. The Pratt House, home to Pascal Pratt, one of Buffalo's greatest civic and business leaders. His mansion resided at 700 Main Street, eventually demolished after his passing to erect the current day Byers Building. The Marshall House, home to attorney Orsamus Marshall and one of the original founders of the Buffalo Historical Society. His Italianate style house sat near the corner of Main and Tupper. A few of those mansions include: The Rich House, home to Andrew Rich, former president of Attica Bank. Looking back, you can consider the Theatre District the original "Millionaires' Row" of Buffalo (before there was Delaware Avenue). Technically speaking, the 600 and 700 blocks of main street were outside the village, and originally designated to farming. The original perimeter of the village stretched to Lake Erie on the west, the Buffalo River to the south, and officially stopped at current day Chippewa Street to the north. The locals didn't take to all these Dutch names too well, so in 1825 New Amsterdam officially changed it's name to Buffalo, and Van Staphorst Avenue changed to Main Street. The Dutch purchased much of the present day Buffalo region back in 1797 in effort to create the "Buffalo Road" trail - a link to connect the newly designed Village of New Amsterdam (Buffalo) and Batavia, home to the headquarters of Holland Land Company. ![]() Main Street began as Van Staphorst Avenue. Since I've been using this website (and its development) as an excuse to immerse myself in the history of Buffalo, I need to talk about some of the prominent moments, buildings and people who helped shape the Theatre District to what we know and love today.
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