buffalo then and now

Most Buffalonians can recall Pano's humble beginnings before the huge remodel they did a few years back -- the brick-and-white-sided building, the bright blue awning, the cute, diner-y feel of it all. It was one of my favorite places to have lunch when I was finally allowed to leave school during senior year free periods (at Nardin, if you're wondering). But do you remember Pano's before that? Rea

Even though I hate flying, I love peeking out the window as the plane descends, just to see if I can pick out places I know. Plus, it's really cool to get a different, aerial view of things.

If you were around in 1798, you could have bought land in Amherst pretty cheap -- try $2 an acre! That’s what the Holland Land Company paid. Joseph Ellicott was one of the company’s agents, and his biggest job was to build roads to attract people from New England to Western New York.

They say you shouldn't mess with a good thing, and while I've only been to Oliver's a couple times (it's expensive, and you didn't think I was gettin' rich from this gig, did you?), the restaurant clearly sticks to that saying -- at least when it comes to their decor.

Looking at the bottom half of the above postcard, can you tell what the old Greyhound Bus Terminal is today? And, no, the answer is not "a pile of rubble" -- this puppy (ha, I'm punny!) is still (mostly) standing. Here's a hint: This bus terminal was located a few blocks away from the current bus station on Ellicott Street, on Main Street. Give up?

Every day as I walk to and from my car, I pass the Buffalo Public Library's Central Branch, which is just across Lafayette Square from our dumpy little studio. It's clear from the old photo of the Square above that a very pretty, old building used to be where the library stands now -- but what was it?

Buffalo has the unfortunately designation of being the place where President William McKinley was assassinated (among other unfortunate designations we've received over the years). Fortunately, that misfortune (are you confused yet?) contributed a very recognizable landmark to our city.

At the turn of the 20th century, Buffalo was a completely different city than it is today. It was the second-largest city in New York and on the Great Lakes (only second to New York City and Chicago, respectively) and 10th-largest city in the United States; everyone wanted to be in Buffalo.

I know, it seems crazy to say that downtown isn't that different from "the olden days" because, well, it is. For example, there are a lot fewer Model Ts and a lot more boarded-up buildings.

When you look at these photos, what you can deduce is this: The 74th Regimental Armory, now known as the Connecticut Street Armory, is one sturdy building.