Black Rock is one of the most historic neighborhoods in Buffalo, the neighborhood has the greatest concentration of pre-Civil War structures dating to the time when Black Rock was an independent village. The neighborhood we call Black Rock today was known as the lower village and developed due to the construction of the Erie Canal in 1825.  Niagara Street was the commercial and social center of the old village and fortunately most of the canal era structures from that time have survived but their history and architectural significance had not been documented putting them at risk for demolition or loss of historic features.

A Niagara Street redevelopment project led to the effort to protect the historic streetscape and designate twelve structures as the Lower Black Rock Historic District. The two blocks on the west side of Niagara Street from Amherst to Austin contain the only remaining canal era structures in Buffalo dating from 1830 to 1915. The historic district properties are among the most substantial and significant structures remaining and include examples of the Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, Neoclassical and Classical Revival style. 

In January of 2023 extensive research of the history and significance of the proposed district was undertaken to support the application to the City of Buffalo Preservation Board. The research was presented to the Black Rock Historical Society and efforts were made to obtain support from the property owners and the community.  Several public hearings were held, and the designation was approved unanimously by the Preservation Board in March 2023, and subsequently by the Common Council in June 2023. The Black Rock Historical Society obtained a grant in July 2024 to certify the historic district with the State Historic Preservation Office and the historic district was certified in April 2025. The certification will enable the property owners to qualify for historic tax credits and encourage the restoration and redevelopment of these historic structures. 

There has been much new investment in our Black Rock neighborhood, historic preservation has been a driving force and continues to help stabilize and improve our community creating a sense of place and pride in our history. The certification of The Lower Black Rock Historic District is not just a win for the historic properties but also for the neighborhood in that the integrity of our historic building stock will be protected and any new development will be appropriate and respectful of the existing historic properties. 

 author Scott Glasgow, edits MA Kedron