Unpacked by AFAR · Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Edward Howard attributes Buffalo's architectural significance to its strong economy at the turn of the 20th century, which included the second-largest rail yard, the largest steel mill, and power from Niagara Falls. This attracted major architects to build there.
“It was a time back at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century when Buffalo was one of the largest cities in the country.”
“We had the second largest rail yard in the United States, second only to Chicago.”
“We were known as the electric city because we had power from Niagara Falls.”
“And that attracted the best architects in the world to come to Buffalo.”