Urban Environment in Buffalo, NY (Lens-Artist’s Photo Challenge, 10Sept2022)

Sofia Leads the Lens-Artist challenge this week and invites us to share Urban Environments. There were so many directions I could have taken – and I easily decided to share some photos from Buffalo, New York from November 2020.

1) The first image is my favorite one for showing an “urban environment” with an older city flair. The awnings, diverse windows, entrances and store fronts, people, streetlight, two satellite dishes, a parked bike, a bit of color, and the typical city tree.

Here is a brief history of Buffalo, New York from BYGONELY:

“Buffalo is the second-biggest city in New York State with so many architectural treasures, including historic buildings, churches, and mansions. The Buffalo area was inhabited before the 17th century by the Native American Iroquois tribe. Buffalo grew significantly in the 19th and 20th centuries as a result of the Erie Canal, railroads, and Lake Erie. Automobile, steel, Iron, and meat-packing plants were the primary industries during the 20th century. Buffalo was greatly affected by the great depression, and unemployment increased rapidly. The population of Buffalo was over a half-million at its peak and declined by up to 50% as the industries began to shut down, and people left the Rust Belt for the employment opportunities of the South and West.

Erie County has lost population in every census year since 1970.”

Go HERE to read more at BYGONELY and also to see historic photos of Buffalo, NY

We were coming back from University at Buffalo (enjoyed some of their art)

2) Mosaic Tree Art – University at Buffalo (2020)

• On the way back from UB, we drove down part of Elmwood Avenue. It has an arts district and a lot of older neighborhoods. 

• As a passenger in the backseat, I had a chance to take photos. Some of the images are not the best quality – so it is about the content 📷

• Some of the rundown buildings reminded me that Buffalo has a long history.

3) This “Double Six Barber Shop” stood out because.I wondered what was there 80 years ago?

Some cities have corner liquor stores and establishments that “never close”

4) This photo gives us the city vibe with people on the corner, protected windows, street signs, residences to the back – and a mailbox (which I doubt we will continue to see in years to come. I think the post office will make changes that are less convenient and more cost effective).

5) Here is a better view of the “we never close” sign – with a few other city tidbits and pandemic reminders.

While in Buffalo, it was fun to see a painting of New York City in a storefront window.  When I moved to Long Beach, CA for a year in the late 1980s, a lot of folks there assumed I was from NYC. Even when I reminded them that Buffalo was a city almost 300 miles away from NYC – and that my town was in Western New York – they often still asked me about NYC.

6)My mom and I liked this painting of NYC. Did you know that I live closer to NYC here in Richmond, Virginia compared to when I lived in Buffalo, NY? Yes, I can make it to New York City in about five hours from Richmond – whereas from Buffalo it would take closer to seven hours. 

Even though Buffalo likely got the city name from the beautiful creek/river surrounding it – the North American Bison is an icon for this city.

7) My spouse being silly.

8) I guess you also know you are in a city environment when there are enormous Christmas displays. And… did you know there are only 105 days until Christmas 2022? (Counter is HERE). — Wow – where is the year going? —

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CLOSING

Have you visited the Buffalo, New York area?

If you do visit Buffalo, NY –  be sure to check out Niagara Falls and enjoy some chicken wings (both are obvious suggestions)- and you also might want to try a “Beef on Weck”-which is a large roast beef sandwich on a Kummelweck roll. And if you find the right store, you can even buy some snow to go.

9) Classic Buffalo Souvenirs. Snow to Go, a package with “Buffalo Wing hot sauce” and “Kummelweck salt” (for making your own roll for a beef on weck sandwich). They also had glasses from Shea’s Theatre Buffalo, which is where I saw plays, musicals, and bands like BOC and George Thorogood in the 1980s. 

Thanks to Sofia for this week’s challenge – go here to join in and see her master post. And click here for more information about the Len’s Artist Challenge. 

 

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