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Welcome. Buffalo & Western New York History. Western New York Takes Shape. Before there was man… there was the land. The land determines where man will live and how he will work to sustain himself.
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Welcome • Buffalo & Western New York History
Western New York Takes Shape • Before there was man… there was the land. • The land determines where man will live and how he will work to sustain himself. • “The story told here is but one part of the fascinating history of the Niagara region. This is an account of how geography has been such an important factor in the history of this area. In particular, it shows how this unique geography encouraged a series of historical developments that created and sustained a series of Niagara Links over the last 300 years.” John W. Percy
Each visitor to the Niagara Falls viewed the spectacle from a different aspect. How do you see it? Harper’s Weekly 1878 illustration
The Niagara Region is rich in history. • This map by Robert H. De Grange first published in 1931 attests to the size and scope of that history.
Niagara Link • Used by Native Americans to traverse the Upper lakes to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Valley. • The first French explorers arrived to find the “Neuters” – a tribe occupying both sides of the Niagara until 1651. • The Seneca nation of the Iroquois had occupied this area for more than 12,000 years. They “were of the land” and “lived off the land”. • Conflict between white settlers and native Americans increased after 1759 when the English wrested control of the Niagara region from the French.
French Exploration • When Champlain arrived in Ontario in 1615, the Hurons were at war with the Iroquois • Though Champlain led a war party of Hurons into Iroquois territory the Iroquois were successful in expelling the French from North America … temporarily!
English Control of Niagara • The Redcoats are coming -- or at least re-enactors dressed in historical British army uniforms -- to take control of Old Fort Niagara during a re-enactment of the French and Indian War siege of 1759. (photo courtesy Old Fort Niagara)
LANDSAT photo: density of vegetation is shown in red. Densely populated areas in lighter blue
Niagara’s Geology #2 Photo used with permission – NiagaraViews.com
Niagara Looking South from Lake Ontario, Passing over two escarpments An 1845 British attempt to show how Niagara Falls had cut back through several strata over a 12,000 year period following recession of the last ice sheet.
Glacial remains… The above schematic diagram illustrates some of the geologic features of a receding glacier such as covered the Niagara region during the last ice age.
Location of postglacial lakes which filled the depression north of the Onondaga Escarpment. The known outlets from Lake Tonawanda are identified.
Changing face of Niagara Falls - This 1926 photo shows a nearly straight water curtain the width of the cataract. On January 17th, 1931, 76,000 tons of rock fell from the center. On July 28,1954 some 185,000 tons of rock fell from the left side.
Lake Erie Plain • Excellent farmland occupies the Lake Erie Plain southwest of Buffalo. • Note the miles of high bluffs along the shore which makes boat anchorage scarce and helps to explain the importance of the harbor at Buffalo and Black Rock
