As with most things in life, the smallest details can make a great difference. As our region’s rebirth and renaissance continues, more and more of us in Western New York are coming to better appreciate many of wonderful little oddities which combine to make Buffalo poised to use our uniqueness as a standout city for generations … Continue reading Preserving Buffalo’s Medina sandstone street curbs
By Steve Cichon | steve@buffalostories.com | @stevebuffalo BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo welcomed plenty of Hollywood in the early 1980s. “Hide in Plain Sight,” starring James Caan, was shot here in 1979 and released in 1980. In 1982, Goldie Hahn and Burt Reynolds spent some time in Buffalo’s Parkside neighborhood shooting “Best Friends,” and also watching history at the … Continue reading Vamping: The forgotten film shot in Buffalo in 1983
Western Auto began as a catalog concern in 1909 — selling to the niche “horseless carriage” market. As cars became more popular, so did Western Auto, which began operating storefronts as well as the catalog. Buffalo News archives The 1940 fire at Buffalo’s Western Auto caused $65,000 in damage, but allowed the store to be … Continue reading What it looked like Wednesday: Fire at Western Auto on Main Street
Last week, the state Department of Transportation announced the fast-track downgrade of the Scajaquada Expressway to “Scajaquada Boulevard.” When this undated photo was taken – probably in the 1950s – there was barely a “Scajaquada Path.” Buffalo News archives Still familiar landmarks include what was then Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now the main building … Continue reading Torn-down Tuesday: What made way for the Scajaquada Expressway
Before there was Billy Fuccillo, Kaufman’s “jolly little baker” was Buffalo’s ubiquitous pitchman on radio and TV. Buffalo News archives As much as the unique, dense rye bread that still sparks life in the palates of Western New Yorkers, our yearning for Kaufman’s rye bread is tied to the fact that the taste is forever … Continue reading Torn-down Tuesday: The Kaufman’s rye bread sign
Over the last 10 to 15 years, Hertel Avenue has cemented a reputation as the slightly less-crazy-but-still-just-as-fun older brother of the Elmwood strip. Spending an afternoon or evening on Hertel drops you in the center of the cosmopolitan “New Buffalo,” showcasing a perfect example of a diverse neighborhood that has retained the flavor and feel … Continue reading The Buffalo You Should Know: Hertel Avenue
There is a category for Buffalo Neighborhoods, but as the historian of Buffalo’s Parkside Neighborhood, and having written two books on the neighborhood’s history, giving the Fredrick Law Olmsted designed Parkside Neighborhood it’s own category makes sense. or click Buffalo’s Parkside Neighborhood for more from the desk of Steve Cichon
New podcast from Steve Cichon The latest book from Steve Cichon & Buffalo Stories Read excerpts right now Order a copy Welcome to buffalostories.com! The history of Buffalo, one story at a time. The Buffalo Stories Archives is the result of decades’ worth of the passionate collection of Buffalo’s day-to-day Pop Culture history by Steve … Continue reading
Steve Cichon has spent 25 years as a journalist, author, and historian collecting and sharing Buffalo’s great stories, and writes about the great things that make Buffalo special. The storyteller has written five books, worn bow ties since the 80s, and spent 20 years working in Buffalo radio and TV. He’s an Adjunct Communications Professor at … Continue reading Talks, Seminars, & Workshops: The Buffalo Stories Roadshow
New York Telephone called it a sign of our area’s great progress in one sentence, and then in the next sentence said it’s happening everywhere around the country. It was this week 55 years ago that Ma Bell began getting telephone users ready to ditch phone numbers like TRiangle 9820 and PArkside 1344, in favor … Continue reading Buffalo in 1960: Phone numbers changing to two letters-five numbers
