History of Buffalo, New York There is quite a lot of ambiguity around Buffalo's name as there are several theories but no absolutes. It was possibly named after the buffalo on the creek shores or a Seneca Indian man who lived in the area with buffalo-like qualities. However, the current name likely dates to 1756 and the British occupation. Along the shores of Lake Ontario and east of Lake Erie, the Buffalo area was originally inhabited by the Iroquoian-speaking, Wenro people. Sadly, by 1653 this tribe was annihilated by the Senecas, who then occupied the region. Due to tribal wars, only a scattering of Iroquois people remained by 1672. However, Captain William Johnson, an early white settler and Iroquois interpreter won the Seneca people's favor. His house stood at present-day Washington and Seneca Street. In 1789, Joseph Hodges and Cornelius Winney also settled at the mouth of Buffalo Creek and established a log cabin store for trading with the Native American community. Joseph Ellicott, Chief of Survey for a Holland Land Company, surveyed the land near the mouth of Buffalo Creek and was responsible for the growth of the town where most settlers remained throughout the 19th century. In 1802 the first road from Buffalo to Pennsylvania was erected. Following this construction in 1804, Joseph Elliot oversaw the building of the first road systems in Buffalo, encouraging steady growth. Finally, in 1808, Niagara Country was established with Buffalo as the county seat. Unfortunately, Buffalo experienced devastation and destruction after being burned down by the British on October 31, 1813. Although only a few buildings remained, it was swiftly rebuilt by 1815. Buffalo experienced significant growth throughout the rest of the 1800s, ushered in by the Erie Canal development in 1825 and the railroads during the 1850s. Buffalo's growth declined in the 1900s due to upgrades on the Erie Canal, allowing less trade into the city. Buffalo also suffered during the Great Depression and suburban migration from 1957 to 2010. Fortunately, present-day Buffalo city is seeing growth and an upward trend for the better. For example, the 2020 Census showed growth for the first time in 70 years.

After experiencing a memorable transformation in recent years, the city of Buffalo, New York, is a cultural hotspot. Here, you find many things to do that you should make a point of experiencing:

Buffalo Zoo: Make a day trip with the family to the third oldest zoo in the U.S., home to local, exotic, and endangered animals. Explore the zoo on your terms or enjoy a guided tour. Necessary for all animal lovers.

Buffalo Museum of Science: Explore natural history and life sciences in this interactive museum. Experience an entire day of family fun with exhibits for everyone.
Betty's: Indulge in a scrumptious meal with a blend of American and international flavors with a side order of local art. While you satisfy your appetite in this charming eatery, you can appreciate the beautiful artwork displays.