Around the Neighborhood Today

The neighborhood surrounding the Dayton House was bustling with activities during the hey-days of the Erie Canal.  Ships waiting to reach the terminus in Buffalo would often off-load goods that were grabbed by manufacturers and merchants.

Today there are still many businesses in the blocks surrounding the house.  The area had been in decline, but recent activity is showing a promising resurgence of Black Rock.  In the future, I hope to post about local activities and opportunities in order to show how the house fits into the 21st Century.  The pursuit of Historic designation was not with the goal to return the house to its original state, but rather to help it survive and remain intact in today's city.  That's why there won't be posts showing us tracking down a coal insert for the old fireplace... but why you might see us installing an energy efficient gas one.

As for the neighborhood, this is what's currently around the house:

 

Sun Market - a new Asian market. Foodies in the area know that this is the best source to get ingredients for authentic Asian dishes.

Gondola Macaroni - the best freshly made (by hand) pasta in the city, possibly in the region or state!  Gondola sells from a small store front, but supplies local restaurants and retailers with macaroni that is out of this world.

Squaw Island - Previously undeveloped and the site of an incinerator and sewage treatment plant.  Today it is a beautiful open waterfront park.

Market Square - the anchor of the new historic district.  There's now a nice corner park at Niagara and Amherst that was once a vacant lot.

St Francis Xavier - This gorgeous Romanesque style church was closed by the Diocese but is now a museum holding religious art from various churches around the city that have been closed.  A treasure to be sure!

Rich Marina - A functioning and well sheltered marina only two blocks from the house.  We let the dog run here and it's a great place for her to chase down bunnies.

The Bike Path - This is great recreation path that leads South to the jetty downtown, or North up to the end of Niawanda Park. It cuts Eastward over to Delaware Park.  This path is great for biking and walking.

Amherst St. - A real renaissance is happening here.  The Sportsman Tavern has expanded and is show casing musicians of national renown.  The Black Rock Kitchen and Bar is THE hottest new eatery in the City.  There are a number of new galleries.  We attend many street functions on Amherst and it's convenient to also have the Sausage shop and supermarkets to get groceries from.

Black Rock is still a bustling part of town.  The House is well situated and we are lucky to be surrounded by so much promising activity.