Wilkeson Pointe Park

BUFFALO WEATHER

The first inhabitants of the eastern Erie shoreline were Native Americans, with the Seneca tribe of the Iroquois Confederacy controlling this “western door” of their territory. In 1797 the Holland Land Company purchased much of Western New York from the Seneca, and that block of land was divided and resold, with plans for the village of Buffalo as a port city beginning as early as 1801. An 1805 act of Congress created the port at Buffalo, which initiated a long history of development along the Erie and Niagara shoreline. Little of what exists today is an original feature of the lake, but one thing we do know, is that much of this shoreline was originally a wetland and a critical stopover for migratory birds as they journeyed across the Great Lakes.

Buffalo’s Outer Harbor changed drastically while improvements to the Inner Harbor were made as the Erie Canal became the centerpiece of eastward shipping. The Buffalo River often filled with sediments making navigation in and out of it difficult. The river outlet was dredged and the south seawall was built in 1867. It prevented sand and mud from building up in the river, and instead it built up along the seawall, creating a beach. This new strip of land became a shanty-town known as “Seawall Beach”, inhabited by Irish and other immigrant port workers and their families. Records show it was a rowdy and nearly lawless neighborhood, with harsh living conditions and high death rates due to storm surges.The city was eager to get rid of it. With the Outer Harbor developing along with Buffalo’s growing shipping and grain industries, the shanty-town was dismantled and the space utilized for industry. A rail line was built along the sandbar in the 1920s to service grain elevators and docked ships along the seawall.

As Buffalo’s shipping industry began to wane during the Great Depression, industry and traffic along the Outer Harbor diminished and much of it went unused. This particular property was owned by the New York Power Authority and used to store salt, and then Niagara River ice boom in the off season. It was opened as a community park in June of 2013.

Through the park, white marble ruins add a mysterious character. From some ancient Roman temple, perhaps? They actually were unearthed during construction. The old M&T Bank was constructed on the corner of Main and Swan Streets  in 1913. It was later demolished and used as fill in the harbor. Fragments of marble unearthed when constructing the new park were incorporated into the design

Fishing is allowed at Wilkeson Pointe Park. Fish from the kayak launch dock at the south end of the park.

Across the slip

On the other side of the slip to the south is a parcel of unused land with an overgrown path running up the center. We saw several people fishing from this area in the summer.

The Outer Harbor Trail

This trail, that parallels Fuhrmann Blvd, runs over 4 miles along the Outer Harbor from Lighthouse Point Park at the Coast Guard Station to the Union Canal at Stony Point, Lackawana. Along the way are six parks, preserves, or green spaces you can visit.

The Great Northern Grain Elevators

Across Fuhrmann Blvd, and past the Buffalo Skyway, are two large historic grain elevators. To the north east, the large white structure, is the General Mills Grain Elevator. It was originally constructed beginning in 1903 by the Washburn Crosby Company, when the storage bins and the first elevator were built. A major addition of another grain elevator was made in 1909. The original elevator was replaced in 1866, and the second elevator was dismantled in the 1960s. General Mills also built a large warehouse in 1922. They continue to operate the elevator, producing cereals and flours.

The rusted brick and steel building to the south is the Great Northern Grain Elevator. Constructed in 1897, it was the first elevator of its kind to run on electric power alone, and it was the largest, capable of holding 2.5 million bushels. It was the last of the working house grain elevators built in the US, one that operates totally within one box-like structure. More modern elevators have distinct sections built specifically for their function. The building was once owned by the Pillsbury company. In the 1980s it was set for demolition, but an effort to conserve this historic landmark prevented its destruction. The elevator, now owned by Archer Daniels Midland, is largely used for storage.

Sunsets

• The eastern shore of Lake Erie is ideal for sunsets. The Buffalo waterfront is a great place to catch boats, birds and the interesting seawalls in the frame to keep those sunset photos interesting.
• Include the wind scultures, chapel ruins, and other landscaping features of the park in the foreground of your sunset photos.

Birding

• Don’t forget that long lens. This is a prime spot for birding.
• During the spring and fall migrations, get here early for more bird traffic and less people traffic.

More tips

• See the Articles and Message Board sections for more photography tips.

City of Buffalo
Phone:  (716) 851-9670
ci.buffalo.ny.us

Consumer’s 225 Beer Garden at Wilkeson Pointe 
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