Black Rock

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This tour was one of my favorites, the community history as well as the rich historical impact on the state. I loved looking at he classic housing styles of the neighborhood. Most of the homes in the neighborhood have been covered by siding but some still shows there federalist style. The Black Rock area was at one point larger than Buffalo and only was eclipsed by the opening of the Erie Canal. When planning for the canal was taking place there was a competition between Buffalo and Black Rock to be the terminus of the canal. Black Rock actually blew up the large "black rock" jetty that gave the city its name. Buffalo was awarded the honor due to the large existing port structure. I also found it interesting that Black Rock built their own canal that ran parallel to the Erie Canal. 

My favorite building on the tour was an old Water Works building that housed a Masonic Temple, the neat part was that the back wall of the temple opened out over the canals. The local business men could meet in the temple and check on business on the canal. I was unaware of the battles that took place in Black Rock during the War of 1812 and also Fenian's Raid.  

Religious Center