1
200
11
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/8bd3c98ba95c2b02cf92dcbd26106655.jpeg
11955e82252f0f32a41819ae8ddac1b3
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Riviera Theatre
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Shea's Riviera Theater 67 Webster, Tonawanda 1931.jpeg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1931
downtown
theater
village
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/3867b8a765f426b1b6f886a3f08f9577.jpg
d4fe5cf11aa4ceeebae2eb94d787360c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
State National Bank (14 Webster Street)
Description
An account of the resource
This former beauty of a building on the northwest corner of Webster and Sweeney Streets housed the State National Bank and other businesses. James H. DeGraff is president, J. S. Thompson vice president and Benjamin L. Rand, cashier (in 1922, W. M. Sutton). "Lumber Exchange Bank" has same leadership and address in 1900. <br /><br />A November 22, 1932 item in the <em>Buffalo Evening News</em> reports the historic building is being razed, and somewhat affectively describes stalled efforts by demolition crews to remove the "4,000 pound lion which has gazed out over the Tonawandas from its perch atop the the...building for the last 40 years...Efforts to get the huge statue of the jungle beast down to earth have been considered...[it was] decided to break it into pieces on the roof rather than risk bringing it down intact." <br /><br />Ads for a "North Side Liquor Store" appear by 1938. For many years the address was associated with Frank's Liquors, in 2022 it is Canalside Wine & Spirits.
Advertisement
A graphic or text document produced by an entity for promotional purposes.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
State National Bank, photo ad (1907).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1907
bank
downtown
village
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/22c562d6865f9e1e435a1fff3161c262.jpg
56325e684107bff846f1181db1256315
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Webster to Main Street Bridges
Description
An account of the resource
(?-1916): Long bridge (1918-1978) A "Bascule" bridge (which could open to allow masted boats to pass) once connected Webster Street in North Tonawanda to Main Street in Tonawanda. It replaced the "Long Bridge," and was part of the enlargement of the Erie Canal to the Erie Barge Canal. According to a plaque on the site, it was built by the Bethlehem Steel Bridge Corporation. This collection features photos of the bridge in its heyday, as well as a black-and-white series depicting its 1978 demolition, and the rerouting of the Main and Young street approaches.
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Long bridge damaged, train crossing canal, photo (1916-03-30).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
From <a href="https://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201916%2520Jan-Sep%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201916%2520Jan-Sep%2520Grayscale%2520-%25201258.pdf%23xml%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffd10f52cb%26DocId%3D1961679%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D47%26hits%3D23%2B89%2Bd7%2Bd8%2Bf1%2B102%2B1b4%2B202%2B215%2B217%2B442%2B492%2B4a6%2B595%2B5c4%2B64e%2B69e%2B88f%2B890%2B8bc%2B8da%2B8fe%2B928%2B92e%2B9d9%2Ba50%2Ba74%2Ba8b%2Bab8%2Bb23%2Bb9f%2Bbe8%2Bc44%2Bc5b%2Bc7d%2Bcaf%2Bcb7%2Bd39%2B1083%2B1128%2B112b%2B11e4%2B120f%2B12b0%2B12d5%2B12da%2B12e3%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&uri=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252011%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201916%2520Jan-Sep%2520Grayscale%2FNorth%2520Tonawanda%2520NY%2520Evening%2520News%25201916%2520Jan-Sep%2520Grayscale%2520-%25201258.pdf&xml=https%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FdtSearch%2Fdtisapi6.dll%3Fcmd%3Dgetpdfhits%26u%3Dffffffffd10f52cb%26DocId%3D1961679%26Index%3DZ%253a%255cDISK%2520U%26HitCount%3D47%26hits%3D23%2B89%2Bd7%2Bd8%2Bf1%2B102%2B1b4%2B202%2B215%2B217%2B442%2B492%2B4a6%2B595%2B5c4%2B64e%2B69e%2B88f%2B890%2B8bc%2B8da%2B8fe%2B928%2B92e%2B9d9%2Ba50%2Ba74%2Ba8b%2Bab8%2Bb23%2Bb9f%2Bbe8%2Bc44%2Bc5b%2Bc7d%2Bcaf%2Bcb7%2Bd39%2B1083%2B1128%2B112b%2B11e4%2B120f%2B12b0%2B12d5%2B12da%2B12e3%2B%26SearchForm%3D%252fFulton%255fform%252ehtml%26.pdf&openFirstHlPage=false">Tonawanda News</a>:
<blockquote>WATERLOGGED BOAT SWEPT OVER THE DAM A waterlogged canal boat came down the Tonawanda creek late last night and went over the old dam. It became lodged underneath the bridges at Webster street. The wrecking crew of the New York Central came here today to release the craft, fearyig that damage might result to the railroad bridge. A boat house was also swept over the dam last night. It piled up against one of the abutments of the Central's bridge and was broken to pieces.</blockquote>
Also pictured: Scanlon's Hall, State National Bank, Elks, Sweeney Building.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1916-03-30
bridge
canal
downtown
train
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/183b9f076c8cf8e9cdd89d5b57abf555.jpg
7566168e7433f25194ea430d9dc9eb1c
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Downtown
Description
An account of the resource
Most of North Tonawanda's downtown area developed between 1875 and 1900. In this collection are preserved views of many vanished buildings: The YMCA and City Hall at the southeast corner of Tremont and Main; the 6-story 1891 Smith building (Real Estate Exchange) at the northeast corner of Tremont and Webster, the gothic stone State National Bank at the northwest corner of Sweeney and Webster, and Scanlon's Hall on the southwest corner of the same intersection, to name a few.
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Sweeney Building, photo (NYSA, 1917-11-24).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Train tracks across canal, Webster Street
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1917-11-24
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/f5a0f6ff56ee6d9934c2709f8e4f60d0.jpg
2758bd964b5a4c681361ab343b77c5b4
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
State National Bank (14 Webster Street)
Description
An account of the resource
This former beauty of a building on the northwest corner of Webster and Sweeney Streets housed the State National Bank and other businesses. James H. DeGraff is president, J. S. Thompson vice president and Benjamin L. Rand, cashier (in 1922, W. M. Sutton). "Lumber Exchange Bank" has same leadership and address in 1900. <br /><br />A November 22, 1932 item in the <em>Buffalo Evening News</em> reports the historic building is being razed, and somewhat affectively describes stalled efforts by demolition crews to remove the "4,000 pound lion which has gazed out over the Tonawandas from its perch atop the the...building for the last 40 years...Efforts to get the huge statue of the jungle beast down to earth have been considered...[it was] decided to break it into pieces on the roof rather than risk bringing it down intact." <br /><br />Ads for a "North Side Liquor Store" appear by 1938. For many years the address was associated with Frank's Liquors, in 2022 it is Canalside Wine & Spirits.
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Scanlon Building, pontoon bridge, North Tonawanda, photo (NYSA, 1917-11-24).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Also shows State National bank, lumber near Manhattan and Front Streets.
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1917-11-24
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/446806d89b1f90560e437eb6f9c2e7df.jpg
51e4b6e1d86f043cc826e3c9c5096b5e
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Webster to Main Street Bridges
Description
An account of the resource
(?-1916): Long bridge (1918-1978) A "Bascule" bridge (which could open to allow masted boats to pass) once connected Webster Street in North Tonawanda to Main Street in Tonawanda. It replaced the "Long Bridge," and was part of the enlargement of the Erie Canal to the Erie Barge Canal. According to a plaque on the site, it was built by the Bethlehem Steel Bridge Corporation. This collection features photos of the bridge in its heyday, as well as a black-and-white series depicting its 1978 demolition, and the rerouting of the Main and Young street approaches.
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Main-Webster Street Bridge; north span, looking north, photo (NYSA, 1920-06-07).jpg
Description
An account of the resource
Scanlon, Sweeney Building, Real Estate Exchange, National Bank
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1920-06-07
bridge
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/878893b7dfd24a63574ec557a62ca0bf.jpg
dfc9dfaa2c63799d9b7a80b47cab118c
https://nthistory.com/files/original/3e8a8590bc7d17b49774a2a4fef7510e.jpg
d0b23e0fbe2d568d6b03af3a85a7a0a2
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Downtown
Description
An account of the resource
Most of North Tonawanda's downtown area developed between 1875 and 1900. In this collection are preserved views of many vanished buildings: The YMCA and City Hall at the southeast corner of Tremont and Main; the 6-story 1891 Smith building (Real Estate Exchange) at the northeast corner of Tremont and Webster, the gothic stone State National Bank at the northwest corner of Sweeney and Webster, and Scanlon's Hall on the southwest corner of the same intersection, to name a few.
Photo
A photographic depiction of a person or place.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Webster Street, two views, photos (Erie Canal Museum, 1920-08-03).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1920-08-03
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/srr_ecm/id/1874/rec/24
Description
An account of the resource
(first photo): Niagara Savings and Loan, White Star Hotel, Scanlon, State National Bank, Sweeney Building.
bridge
downtown
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/ddc92861bbc39c4a6c2c9b30193c7981.jpg
e7854bd02eba082c88c3f5b8787cac89
https://nthistory.com/files/original/6f7e69b5cf7ec25a588aabe51f8c32e7.jpg
09fb9195b804b7b4b8ae2dff7ab0c153
https://nthistory.com/files/original/88c6d185729ff45f509c9a50d585e385.jpg
bd9222716e674efe8bfcd5ccc312f3b5
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Downtown
Description
An account of the resource
Most of North Tonawanda's downtown area developed between 1875 and 1900. In this collection are preserved views of many vanished buildings: The YMCA and City Hall at the southeast corner of Tremont and Main; the 6-story 1891 Smith building (Real Estate Exchange) at the northeast corner of Tremont and Webster, the gothic stone State National Bank at the northwest corner of Sweeney and Webster, and Scanlon's Hall on the southwest corner of the same intersection, to name a few.
Postcard
A pictorial representation of a place or entity, intended to be written upon and mailed.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Webster Street, Burtch Drugs and Rivera Theatre, postcard (c1940).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940
Description
An account of the resource
Alternate spelling of Riviera.
downtown
hd
riviera
theater
village
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/22d165a63dfa525839cab0131435488b.jpg
60f5f7402e286a94f4b66bbd9e987144
https://nthistory.com/files/original/e0d0b437eac1ec293f57f32e6b1f5924.jpg
3cee29bf8151f199ddd5c45d2ddd3843
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Erie Canal
Description
An account of the resource
The Erie Canal in North Tonawanda followed the existing Tonawanda Creek from Pendleton. The first work done locally was the 1823 construction of a wooden dam near present-day Gateway Park to raise the level of the creek four feet. In 1918 this dam was removed when the length of the Erie was re-engineered to become the Erie Barge Canal. The Tonawanda and Buffalo portions of the canal were abandoned at that time, making North Tonawanda the canal's new western terminus. In 1923 Tonawanda began filling in the old canal. The work was not yet complete in 1929.
Postcard
A pictorial representation of a place or entity, intended to be written upon and mailed.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Bridge over Erie Barge Canal connecting, postcard (1960).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1960
bridge
canal
downtown
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/3bf5a6c5444a3a01f426649319ad6b96.jpg
b56637725444755d33d22edee3f55950
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Downtown
Description
An account of the resource
Most of North Tonawanda's downtown area developed between 1875 and 1900. In this collection are preserved views of many vanished buildings: The YMCA and City Hall at the southeast corner of Tremont and Main; the 6-story 1891 Smith building (Real Estate Exchange) at the northeast corner of Tremont and Webster, the gothic stone State National Bank at the northwest corner of Sweeney and Webster, and Scanlon's Hall on the southwest corner of the same intersection, to name a few.
Postcard
A pictorial representation of a place or entity, intended to be written upon and mailed.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Webster Street, Bridge over Canal, postcard (c1940).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1940
bridge
canal
webster
-
https://nthistory.com/files/original/59191d2dfef98f97a670a385cbc40175.jpg
177f22337feed112b274f853091d3bec
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tonawanda Power Company (435 Robinson)
Description
An account of the resource
<img class="cover" src="http://www.nthistory.com/custom/cover/37.jpg" alt="National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr." /> <span class="cover-caption">National Grid transformer station in 2023. Photo by Dennis Reed Jr.</span><strong>First located on Tonawanda Island</strong><br /><br />Around 1889, what would be come the Tonawanda Power Company (Tonawanda & Wheatfield Electric Light company) supplied electricity to NT from a small steam unit on Tonawanda Island, fed by wood shavings from the Doebler Planing Mill. Their office was at the northeast corner of Main and Goundry in an old frame building. Arc lights on a few streets were run. A few "daring" homes and businesses ran its power.<br /><br /><strong>Electrifying Buffalo-Niagara</strong><br /><br />In late 1895, The Niagara Falls Power Company builds a long-distance power line (mostly along the Old Mile Reserve) from Niagara Falls to Buffalo, the first of its kind in the world. It is operational by November 1896.<br /><br />The long distance line uses Nikolai Tesla's breakthrough alternating current (AC) transmitted at high voltages, which could travel with minimal loss. A ‘transformer house’ like the one established on Robinson street would step down (transform) some of the high voltage lines to more manageable and safer levels for local distribution. Other lines passing through this North Tonawanda substation continued at high voltage to Buffalo and Lockport, to be stepped down at other transformer houses before being used locally. Much of the line followed a right of way established by the old New York State Mile Reserve, a mile east of the Niagara River.<br /><br /><strong>Former switching tower<br /><br /></strong>Where the new park is now, on the Twin City Highway side, was once a two-story “switching tower” connected to the transformer house. Added around 1902, this tower was actually owned by the Niagara Falls Power company. It helped engineers manage and troubleshoot defects in the multiplying lines. Most of the high voltage lines carrying electricity from the massive turbines at Niagara Falls ran into this tower. <br /><br /><strong>Halloween disaster</strong><br /><br />In 1920, a horrific explosion kills 13 men early Halloween morning. An NT fire chief <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Maintenance_Production/Njw6AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Superintendent+Albert+S.+Allen+tonawanda&pg=PA221&printsec=frontcover">alleges the work was rushed</a> in <em>Safety News and Comment</em>. The January 1921 <em>Safety Bulletin</em> <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Safety_Bulletin/XwkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA24-PA2&printsec=frontcover">provides more context and details</a> (a storm and wind outside) and a photo of the ruined second floor of the switching tower. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/State_of_New_York_Supreme_Court_Appellat/-NBRpQpR-lwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=RA3-PA17&printsec=frontcover">Rose Derby's suit</a>. Superintendent Frank S. Wahl's (and others!) testimony in <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/New_York_Court_of_Appeals_Records_and_Br/wU3z2XtqKz8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=tonawanda+power+substation+tower&pg=PA178&printsec=frontcover">Yates's survivor's suit provides</a> more tower details, tower role, and what he saw on the scene (where the dead were found).<br /><br />In 1925 they become "associated with" Buffalo General Electric, Niagara Falls Power Co. and others. <br /><br />In 1929, they open a new headquarters on Sweeney and Webster, today Buffalo Suzuki Strings.<br /><br />The Robinson street transformer house and environs is now owned and operated by National Grid.
Postcard
A pictorial representation of a place or entity, intended to be written upon and mailed.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Tonawanda Power Co., illustrated postcard (1939).jpg
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1939
webster