5 Hidden Facts About Buffalo You Never Knew About

Buffalo is known for its wings, sports teams, and stunning views of Lake Erie, but there’s so much more beneath the surface of this historic city. Here are five hidden facts about Buffalo that might surprise you:

1. Home to One of America’s First Urban Parks
   Frederick Law Olmsted, the visionary behind Central Park in NYC, also designed Buffalo’s park system. In fact, Buffalo was the first U.S. city to have an interconnected park system, a green oasis woven into the urban landscape.
2. Buffalo’s Secret Underground Railroad History
   Buffalo played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad. Many homes along the Niagara River were safe havens for escaped slaves seeking freedom in Canada. The city’s proximity to the border made it a final stop on the path to liberty.
3. The Invention of the Electric Chair
   It may come as a shock, but the electric chair was invented in Buffalo. Dentist Alfred P. Southwick created it in the late 1880s as a more humane alternative to hanging, with the first execution by electric chair taking place in 1890.
4. Buffalo Once Had More Millionaires Per Capita Than Anywhere Else
   In the early 1900s, Buffalo was booming due to its strategic location along trade routes like the Erie Canal. The wealth generated from industry and trade resulted in a high concentration of millionaires in the city.
5. Buffalo’s Historic Grain Elevators – A Global First
   Buffalo is home to the world’s first steam-powered grain elevator, a revolutionary invention in the 19th century. These massive structures still dot the waterfront, reminding visitors of the city’s industrial prowess.

Buffalo’s rich history is full of surprises, and these little-known facts are just the tip of the iceberg. Explore the city, and you’re sure to uncover even more hidden gems!