The Charles Boine House – 2475 Niagara St – Constructed C. 1920
Charles F. Boine, was Erie County inheritance and state tax attorney from 1923-1943 and chairman of the 21st Ward Democratic Committee from 1912 to 1943. Mr. Boine headed the Democratic County Committee from 1917-1919. Mr. Boine resigned as party chairman to accept appointment as acting postmaster of Buffalo. He was born in Black Rock Dec. 5, 1875, and was a resident and contributing member of the community all his life.
The house was built by Mr. Boine circa 1920 where he lived for many years. It is a Federalist style house whose integrity has been preserved. This 105-year-old home has had only had 4 owners throughout its existence and enjoys a spectacular view of the Niagara River.
The Lewis Dayton House – 243 Dearborn Ave. – Constructed C. 1840
In 1846 Lewis P. Dayton moved to Black Rock to open his physician practice. In 1858 Dayton was elected vice-president of the Erie County Medical Society, the following year he was elected president of the Society. In November 1863, Dayton was elected to serve as alderman of the twelfth ward, for the years 1864 and 1865. In 1864 Dayton was again chosen President of the Council. There are indications that Dr. Dayton was elected to serve in the State Assembly for the years 1865 and 1866, he was serving politically for the county.
In 1865 and 1866, Dr. Dayton served on the primary board of the Erie County Medical Society. For the years 1865 through 1867 Dayton served as County Clerk. In 1868 Dayton was appointed to the first Board of Park Commissioners. He was chosen health physician for the city in 1871. He served this position from 1872 through 1874.
The Dayton’s lived in Black Rock until 1871 or 1872 when Dr. Dayton decided to move closer to the inner city.
The house at 243 Dearborn St. is cited on the first residential street in from the bustling commercial areas of the Erie Canal. A 2 story, 3-bay side-gabled brick residential building which appears to have been constructed ca. 1840 as a parapeted side-gabled Greek Revival building with cut stone foundation and prominent stone lintels on front entry door and windows. It was altered in 1870 to reflect the Italianate style with brackets added to eaves. There is a modern gabled dormer added to the front of the house. This property remains a rare surviving example of brick Greek Revival style architecture in Black Rock.
The property contains a wood barn incorporating a hay loft with drainage hooked up to the city line as was common in horse barns of the early 20th century. Likely a rarity, the barn was erected in 1911 and is constructed of 19th century box cars. The wooden box car fell out of use with the advent of diesel trains. Their construction could not bear the speed and strength of high-speed locomotives. The barn itself is a small piece of Buffalo railroad history.
The Historic Homes Plaque Program
After many years of discussion, the Preservation Committee of the Black Rock Historical Society has launched a Historic Homes Plaque Program. Marking homes of distinction gives individuals an opportunity to learn about the history of our neighborhood and to celebrate a sense of pride in our architecture. We have so much history and so much to be proud of we wanted to celebrate. Homes must be at least 75 years old and have some historic relevance to the neighborhood. They could be eligible for national registry or on the national register but do not have to be.
Applications are available to anyone in the Black Rock, Riverside, Grant Amherst and West Hertel neighborhoods. Currently they can be picked up at the museum but will soon be available on our website to download. Having just started the program this month we have 2 homes on our registry. The nominations are presented to our Preservation Committee quarterly and reviewed for historic accuracy. A brief write up on the home is included with a picture. These will be provided to the homeowner with copies kept at our museum.
Feel free to email us at info@blackrockhistoricalsociety.com with questions.