What Happened to Millionaire's Row in Buffalo New York?

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The second largest city in New York once boasted more millionaires per capita than any other city in the United States.

Location: Buffalo, New York

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Screenshot form Google Earth
Public Domain photos from: The Met Museum, Library of Congress, Ohio History Connection

[chuckt]

I live in Buffalo and own one of the "lower end" large homes (built 1887) with an old carriage house in the back. Lots of ornate architecture details both inside and out. It's a lot of work to bring back and maintain but I love it. Buffalo is home to the oldest housing stock in the nation. There isn't a side street you can go down to see the most interesting houses in the country. We often have architectural students wandering around taking pictures of these old homes.

[north]

I manage 2 of the old mansions on Delaware Ave. The woodwork inside these places will blow your mind.

[mariaschimek]

I grew up in Texas where you don’t get to see much architecture like this. I moved to Buffalo a couple of years ago and was astonished at the beautiful architecture. It’s hard for me to imagine that these homes were once owned by a single family. Today they are businesses and hotels, part of the city or schools and organizations. It’s awesome that some of them are open to the public.

[journeyspencer]

When I was a child in the 70's, a family friend, Ed and Audrey Hall owned one of these mansions in Buffalo. We'd stay there every summer and I loved the 12 foot crystal chandelier above the grand staircase. It was a beautiful home filled with civil war antiques and so many other things.

[sarahdee]

I work at a law firm that purchased and renovated one of the mansions on Delaware. Beautiful details. The owners tried to keep as much to the original as possible. It’s a beautiful building. We even have some of the original blue prints framed and hanging in the building. As well as a full speakeasy in the basement, complete with a bank vault door.

[princesskat]

My husband and I had our wedding at the Butler Mansion. I used to work on the Medical Campus and would regularly go down Millionaire's Row. North Street and Porter Ave have some beautiful homes too.

[intercommerce]

Even though I never lived in Buffalo, I knew a lot about it, living across the lake all my life in Toronto. Lot of history there. Growing up, we only got 6 TV channels, and half were in Buffalo. So I remember Irv Weinstein, Nolan Johannis, Rick Azar, and Tom Joles from Commander Tom, Dave Thomas from Rocketship 7...

[patriciadeane]

Loved watching this video…..I grew up in Buffalo, N.Y. And have many fond memories…….especially all that snow which I miss to this day!

[annetten.]

My hometown, Buffalo NY . Delaware Ave. minutes from downtown and throughout the city have beautiful buildings, homes, churches etc with amazing architectural features and more! I’m so thrilled to have found this video, quite a history lesson! Thank you for sharing this video and it’s historical side of the city! ( Bflo, NY) I would like to see this type of video on the history of Linwood Ave. Bflo, NY, if it is possible!

[jacquesmontague]

Although we now live a half hour north in Lewiston NY, my fiancé and I's first apartment was 2 blocks from millionaires row, and we enjoyed walking up and down through that area and seeing the beautiful architecture.

[axegrind]

The millionaires are still there, they just live in Orchard Park, East Aurora and Williamsville now.

[ChadAmI]

WOW! I wasn't expecting that ending. Most of your videos end with the majority of houses being demolished. It's great to see that many of the homes remain - even if converted to commercial usage. I wish that Pittsburgh had more of its mansions still around.

[Peccs]

Buffalo is a much prettier and impressive city than most give it credit for, great people there.

[windronner]

I really enjoy the seven minute power punch you throw into these short videos with such an excellent historical backstory. Excellent presentation and terrific delivery!

[mchampagne]

Thank you for speaking so graciously about my home city!

[randyscott]

An absolute nightmare to restore those old places, And May God Bless All The People Who Do Restore Those Old Places !!!

[t.j.m]

Well I have binge watched almost all of your videos. Thanks😃

[andreamarin]

Absolutely gorgeous! I never knew this about Buffalo. That staircase was exquisite. Love these exquisitely crafted homes.

[danielcucinotta]

I was lucky enough to attend high school in the converted Rand Mansion at 1180 Delaware. Many of the features of the house were still intact including the 2nd floor ballroom, intricate woodwork and fireplaces throughout. Quite the privilege!

[arslongavitabrevis]

Thank you for this episode. It was nice to see that most of the houses shown are still standing even if most of them cannot be visited. William Butler's house is my favourite.