Coal Chutes...A forgotten part of the urban landscape

My research for the project focused on the modern aspects of coal chutes. This was only possible by first understanding the roots in the past of the chute. While Ted focused on the past history more in depth, I too also looked to learn from the past. The origins of these openings and devices of necessity are blurry but it is clear that where there was coal there were coal chutes. We found great examples of coal chutes in the fabric of Buffalo as a result of asking questions and possibly by luck. We had the privilege of meeting Mike, an engineer at the Electric Building, who showed us the basement  and coal delivery points in the building.

My research was based on modern use of the coal chutes. I found that a vast majority are covered up or removed in many cases. Since most chutes were built into sidewalks or streets it is understandable how they could be covered by new paving if they were no longer used. I also found that in other places along Pearl St. in downtown Buffalo, that the coal bins and their covers still exist and are easily opened. These examples contain all sorts of debris and were sealed off in the basement by new walls. It was very interesting to be able to see these original openings and the spaces below them. I was very surprised that so many chutes still existed walking along the street.

Richardson-Olmsted Complex

Sunday morning I toured the grounds of the Richardson-Olmsted Complex.

I walked the storied perimeter of the former Buffalo State Asylum and the surrounding Olmsted landscaping. This is the largest and greatest of H. H. Richardson’s creations influenced the much emulated Richardsonian Romanesque style. The grounds as a whole are beautiful but some buildings are crumbling to the ground.

 It was interesting to see this building from the front of the Administration building as a large dark presence but when viewed from the back it is very inviting to all. The backside appears to have outstretched arms welcoming the patients and guests. I really liked the plantation style building structure of the complex. It was incense a self sustainable city in itself. They had to produce their own food, electric, and clothing. There was a  large farm  that the patients were able to work and harvest food from. I also liked the way the windows were angled to follow staircases. The building also contains a huge number of windows to allow for as much natural light as possible. This complex is far more vast than I could possibly comprehend I believe. It is easy to grasp the general lay of the land but I would love to have seen this complex in its glory and witness the fully functioning compound that it was.

Downtown Buffalo

Last Friday Ted and I went on a tour of downtown Buffalo. It was amazing to see the history and architecture of the city. We toured many of the oldest building in the city. Buildings that included: The Guaranty Building, St. Paul’s, The Gold Dome, and Ellicott Square. The Terra cota tiles that cover the entire exterior of the Guaranty are beautiful and exquisite. It was sad to hear about the destruction of some of the original tiles as a result of careless restoration. The stained glass windows in St. Paul's were beautiful! The stained glass window done by Tiffany were so crisp and colorful. I also was fascinated by the German style of painting the glass after it was in place. The best part of the tour came when we visited the Electric Building and I had the privilege of meeting the head engineer of the building. He gave us a detailed review of the building and a behind the scenes tour of the basement. He allowed us to see the remnants of the coal chutes and coal rooms. It was amazing to see the real, tangible evidence of the coal system I am researching. Also, we walked around looking for more historic, old coal doors and anything else we found fascinating. We met the owner/curator of the Maritime Historical Society; he took us on a tour of his building and all its wonders. The building has 18 inch thick solid floorboards and hundreds of artifacts raised from the depths of lake Erie.  Seeing the dark underbelly of the this historic building has awesome. I truly enjoyed this tour and memorable experiences i had.

Downtown of Olean,NY

      Downtown of my hometown is a historic place yet it is highly disregarded by many as just simply rundown. If you take time to look at the buildings that line the main street you can begin to understand what made Olean a unique place to live. There are many old buildings, 1880's, still standing and being used today. Two that I personally love are the banks that stand on the main corners of town. One is still the main bank in town while the other is sits empty waiting for a new owner. There is amazing architecture to be seen while looking down the main street; columns on the bank, facades of the cobbler and printing shop.
The greatest sights of the street are truly the parts that are unseen! The apartments that sit overlooking the street and the great rooms that sit in hiding stories above the traffic below. When you look closely at each building that comprises the couple of blocks of the downtown you realize the amount of unknown space that has existed above you your whole life.

      About 12 years ago the city bulldozed what was arguably the greatest piece of architecture that ever stood in Olean...the Palace Theater. It was a brick masterpiece that stretched half a block with a full stage that hosted Vaudeville performances as well as a screen for showing photo reels (as they called them). There is one forgotten feature of this building and part that always grabbed my attention as a child walking by was a section of the upper floor with no windows and only an entrance shared with a neighboring business. I only recently found the answer to this puzzling "room" by asking my grandfather another question. This windowless room was actually a bowling ally built on what he recalled as the fourth floor above the theater and its balcony.
      Sadly, downtown Olean met its decline in a similar fashion as that of Buffalo. Great minds thought it beneficial to the economy to close the main street in efforts to expand to more lanes and modernize but it only yielded boarded up windows and empty shops. Buffalo never flourished after the main street transition to a pedestrian area either.

       I wish I could have experienced this downtown in its glory! The neon lights shining or the shop windows giving passersby glimpses of the latest fashions in clothing or interior decorating. What was it like to walk down this busy street in the 50's and 60's? Someday i would love to know.

City Hall

Went on a tour of City Hall in downtown Buffalo today and learned a great deal. City Hall is full of amazing architecture and art. There are many different inspirations to be found while looking around but the most prominent has to the Native American themes....from corn in borders of murals to the elaborate decoration of all the ceilings. The city hall holds a ton of history within its walls. The Art Deco design is so facinating to look and try to understand all the meaning. The timeless reliefs of laborers and other workers from Buffalo's history was really interesting to me especially.

My path to understanding...

I want to learn (better understand) what factors shaped our built environment. Who were these people that shaped our lives today with decisions decades ago? What were they expecting their environment to look like? Why did they settle and build where they did? Were they forced or was it just a unconscious decision? I am going to attempt to examine these questions and better understand the environment in which I live.