Buffalo Central Terminal

A few days ago, we received the note below and we wanted to share it with everyone.

Hello.

Today I experienced what I call a “Joyful Moment”, something that makes you so happy that you want to share it with everyone you encounter throughout the day.

First, let me tell you that I live in Rochester. I moved from Buffalo, where I lived for ten years, back to Rochester where I was born and raised.

While I lived in Buffalo, from 1992 to 2002, I was always amazed at the Central Terminal. I thought it was so sad to see such a magnificent building sitting empty, idle, and neglected. I was so enchanted with the building that I attended several “cleanup” events that took place at the Terminal grounds prior to 2002. My senior aged mom even participated in those cleanups.

Once in a while, I would drive to the Terminal and just sit in my car in the parking lot, gazing at the site with visions of “rebirth” of the Terminal and its surroundings. I even pictured the building becoming a hotel, or apartments, or even a casino. The last time I was at the site was when the clocks were first restored to operation (2001?). Of course, all the rest was still in disrepair with not much hope in sight.

That brings me to today, and my “Joyful Moment”, as I call it. I was home, in Rochester, at the computer, surfing the web, and I came across your website. Living out of town since 2001, I hadn’t heard anything about the Terminal since then. I will just get right to the point and tell you that I was in tears seeing the photos, reading of the restoration efforts, and putting two and two together to see how the Terminal’s restoration might fit right in with our Governor’s plan for high speed rail across Upstate New York.

Again, I cried when I saw the beautiful photos on your website. It was almost like my vision had come true. I can’t wait to visit now and once again park in the parking lot, in my car, and gaze out to see it becoming reality. My hat is off to all those that have made it possible. On a humorous note, I count myself in on that effort since I haven’t forgotten those days when, with broom and shovel in hand, my mom and I pulled weeds, swept pavement, and hoped for the best.

Sincerely,
Ron Nichols
Rochester, New York

Thank you, Ron. It’s thoughts like these that keep us going!

Hanford Searl Jr. writes:

“Enjoyed the program about the Central Terminal project on WNED-TV Sun. Was well done & informative, getting the word out about your efforts & progress. As a print journalist of 35+ yrs. in both the mainstream & gay media on both coasts (including 17 with “Billboard” in L.A., Vegas & Bflo.), I know the power of broadcasting.

The show reminded me of many, wonderful childhood trips via the NY Central to visit my mother’s mom near Albany, N.Y. Enjoying homemade, fried chicken lunches while we watched the historic Erie Canal, locks & legendary Catskill Mts. pass by-our-window. Priceless memories.

Have forwarded your web site address across-the-country, knowing the impact of PR in having worked for 2, major L.A. firms. A people, village, town, city & country are judged by how they value their past, present & future! Keep up the good work!”

Thank you, Mr. Searl!

There is always talk about what happened to the buffalo at Central Terminal. As many know, the very first buffalo was a stuffed buffalo owned by the Buffalo Science Museum and used as an advertisement.

When they took it back, it was replaced with a plaster buffalo painted to look bronze – and this is the one most people remember. During the 90s it was knocked over by a pick up truck and shattered.

Years later the University at Buffalo was looking for a buffalo to have on campus and tracked down the original molds which were used in the creation of the plaster Central Terminal buffalo. They recast him in bronze and he now sits in front of the Arts building on the North Campus.

Now we need your help. Someone attended Doors Open Niagara in October and said that UB has the molds, that he walks by them ever day. We are looking for more details on the molds, so if you are anyone you know works at UB and knows who to talk to about looking at the molds please contact us at webmaster@buffalocentralterminal.org

On the “Route 66″ video post, we got the following comments:

elizabeth lambert Says:

Wow. That is my Dad sitting at the bar to the left of Tammy Grimes! He had always told us he was on Route 66. But in Dec. of 63 I wasn’t even a month old yet so this is the first I am seeing it. Thanks!!!! What a great surprise.

wm lambert Says:

Got a call from my sister… her coment posted above… pretty cool to see the clip of our dad, just like he said, sitting next to Tammy Grimes… thank you very much for sharing this!

A little story of my own regarding “Route 66″:

My Dad and I were used as extras in a scene shot in front of the city hall in Niagara Falls. I was five years old at the time. The scene was to be in an episode called “I’m Here to Kill a King”, to be aired in November of 1963. That episode was preempted by the assassination of President Kennedy and we never saw it. I’m not sure if it ever aired.

After years of waiting for the show to be released on DVD in its entirety, I finally found it and bought it, only to find that our 15 minutes of fame was left on the cutting room floor.

No regrets though, because I found the 5 plus minutes of the terminal footage (the best pre-damage film we’ve ever seen!) and I got to read those touching comments from the Lamberts.

Lamberts, my Dad passed away 28 years ago. I would have loved to see him in film in his youth, but I am so glad that you got to see your Dad!

Often times people send in stories or little notes with their membership dues to let us know what it is about Central Terminal that they love and remember. Today is no different. Nancy wrote: “I own the former BR&P depot in LeRoy NY. It is now the D&R Depot Restaurant. I grew up in Buffalo and often, with my youth group, sang Christmas carols from the mezzanine to welcome holiday travelers.”

What a great treat that must have been! Hopefully in the future that tradition can be reborn.