Those Green Recycling Totes and Squaw Island

The Dayton House is now using the big green recycling tote distributed by the City.  Prior to that, the blue bin was regularly overflowing with recyclables.  Recycling has become an important part of life in Buffalo and its evolution is linked to Squaw Island – thus giving it a tie in to Black Rock and the Dayton House.

It’s probably been almost a decade since the old incinerator was taken down.  That polluting monstrosity was located on Squaw Island, an abandoned eye-sore.  The island has always had a hill used by neighborhood kids for sledding.  Back in the days of the incinerator, it was not a cheery Currier and Ives sort of past time either.  The island was a dumping ground and not worth spending much time on.

Things have changed and we have, among other things, the city’s recycling program to thank for it.  Recycling has cut down on the amount of waste the city must dispose of.  Activists and scientists have succeeded in convincing civic leaders that burning trash is a costly method of trash disposal – both fiscally and environmentally.  That the incinerator on Squaw Island had to come down was evident to all.  The positive result of its removal and the improvements made to the island is indisputable.

I only hiked over to the island with my dog once in the pre-park days.  The experience left me disgusted.  My dog wanted to swim in the pond, but there was garbage, clumps of weeds and other murky stuff in it.  We returned home disgusted. I was afraid she might have picked up a leach or tics, or who knows what other sort of parasite lurking in the muck.

Now the pond is cleaned up.  The area is clear and grassy.  The ballasted area at the end of the island is a haven for birds – and can make a decent swimming spot for a dog (though truthfully, I feel the constantly flowing river is safer because it can’t gather parasites).  The paths along the park are great for walking, running, riding and just relaxing.

The first year the incinerator was down, we had an influx of bats and rodents.  The new trash bins and having a dog in residence helped with that a lot.  Back in those days, our house was one of the few who religiously filled their blue totes to overflowing.  Now it’s just the way things are done.  Recycling initiatives have led to the beautification of Squaw Island, though not very many people realize this.  Were it not for alternative ways to process trash, it may very likely have been necessary to keep that horrid dump open.

Black Rock Sunset

Rushed home tonight in hopes of catching the sunset at the river.  We just made it!  The sun was dipping below the horizon at 5:53PM.  It was cold and windy but it was also a great opportunity for me to get the dog out for a serious 20 minute round of fetch.  In the winter, we jog around Delaware Park but if I can get in any amount of daylight, then it's the neighborhood for us; Tow Path Park at the foot of Hertel for our first choice.

This is a great way to end the day!  And a tired dog will always be happy  -- doubly so her people.  Black Rock might need to be renamed "Bark Rock" from her perspective...

Eat Local -- Emily's

There is a side bar to this blog if you scroll down a bit listing some great places to eat in Black Rock.  Here's a picture of tonight's fish fry from Emily's.  The restaurant is up on Hertel and Tonawanda.  It's one of our favorite local spots.  A nice couple owns it and they make all of the food on the premises.  You'll always run into someone you know there -- or someone who knows someone you know!

One thing that might not immediately stand out is the tartar sauce.  It's not served in a plastic container sealed in foil.  It's because they really do make everything they serve.  Nothing is food service.  It's all prepared fresh.  This makes everything you order extra delicious.  If you drive by at any time and don't see a lot of patrons, it doesn't mean they aren't busy.  They are cooking and baking all of the time.

A fish fry is $8.99.  We had New England clam chowder as our started and then a side of fries.  Dinner for two with pop came to $24.00 (that includes tax) -- making the place affordable on top of it all.  It makes sense to eat local and support local businesses -- but if you don't live in Black Rock, come down here and try the place.   You won't be sorry!

A Blast -- and Twin from the Past!

This is the very first incarnation of Millard Fillmore hospital.  It’s pretty cool because it looks just like what the Dayton House would have looked like prior to the Italianate update.  What’s even more of a coincidence, I guess, is that Lewis P. Dayton was a doctor.

Back at that time, the practices of medicine were pretty barbaric and unsuccessful.  Most doctors weren’t formally educated and did not have medical degrees or licenses.  Dr. Augustus Hoxsie developed what is known today as “Homeopathic Medicine.”  The principles are much like our modern science of immunology.  Needing a place to practice this form of medicine, his wife raised funds to build a hospital.  The first building that served as the hospital was a modest three story house at the corner of Washington and North Division Streets. It was rented in 1872 , equipment purchased, and the Buffalo Homeopathic Hospital opened in October of that same year. The staff included six physicians, a nurse, a janitor and house cleaning staff. In the beginning, the hospital could accommodate only three patients.

The hospital quickly expanded and is now operating at Gates Circle (although soon to close and relocate).  M&T Plaza now occupies the site where this home once stood.  Homeopathy has never fallen out of practice and that its birth in the US as a modern form of medicine can be traced to Buffalo is one more thing for our city to be proud of.

And it’s pretty cool that the first hospital looks a lot like the Dayton House!

Great Opportunities!

There is a lot of good news for owners of historic properties like the Dayton House.  The tax credits available as a result of the historic status of these houses means that energy efficient repairs and upgrades are potentially eligible for a 20% credit (i.e. refund) on your income tax.  The amount spent must be at least five thousand dollars.  This amount may be daunting for those who don’t have the cash to put into the house to begin with.

Well, there is a new program offered by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority which may make the cash part of the idea doable for those in historic homes with good credit but not a lot of cash on hand.  It is the On-Bill Recovery Loan program which was announced this week.

Eligible homeowners can finance approved improvements with a low interest loan.  The payments are figured in as part of your monthly utility bill. The interest rate is fixed at just below three percent.  There is a processing fee of $150 and you can borrow up to 13K.  Your monthly installment is not supposed to exceed the amount of savings you will realize by making the repair or upgrade.  You can also pay the loan off early if you’d like. For details on the program, click here.

Things that would qualify for the loan would be air sealing, insulation, boilers, water heaters, air conditioners, light fixtures and some appliances.  Not all of these things would qualify for the historic tax credit but many would.  The work must be done by an Energy Star certified contractor.

One thing we had always wanted to do was put in an exhaust fan in the attic.  That would likely qualify for both the loan program and the historic tax credit.  So might gas inserts for the fireplaces.  Another nice thing about the loan is that it is transferable to the next owner.

Given that the historic tax credit is 20%, you would still come out ahead by taking out the loan – in fact, the credit basically pays for the interest!  And best of all, you’d be helping the house and the environment.

Squaw Island – The Black Rock Channel

Squaw Island is an important component of Black Rock.  Historically and environmentally, its impact cannot be underestimated.  In posting about it, I’m including Rich’s Marina and boat yard along with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Black Rock channel.  These are integrated components that figure very much into life and history in the neighborhood.  The marina is a great place to walk and the Army Corps basically controls the river.

Squaw Island actually contains two park areas; one on the North end which is noted on this map along with Broderick Park, which is on the Southern end and falls outside of Black Rock.  I have already posted about the International Railroad Bridge so there’s no reason to revisit that – but its worth to note it on the map because it is there. 

When I posted about gulling and the Atlantic Flyway as it cuts through the neighborhood, I mention the jetty where the birds congregate.  There is a jetty on the South end of the Island which is known as the Bird Island pier – this should not be confused with the small jetty up in Black Rock.  “In the old days” the section of the city that contains what remains today of the Bird Island pier was considered “Upper Black Rock” but today it’s more or less part of the “West Side.”  The Dayton House is located North of the creek, which was considered “Lower Black Rock.” Head on over to Delish or the Black Rock Kitchen and Bar on Amherst St. and you'll be in what was considered "Downtown Black Rock."

The Black Rock Channel was an integral part of the old Erie Canal system and thus very important to the development of the village.  While the Erie Canal is now defunct as a shipping lane, the lock in Black Rock is still in use.  It is operated by the Army Corps.   The water level is raised and lowered for ships and the International Bridge span over the creek is turned for that purpose as well.

There will be mornings where you will hear a ship/tankers fog horn in the early morning hours.  If you drive on the 190 on your way to work, you’ll most likely see the tanker that is soon to be or may have just passed through the lock.  The big question might be where they are going to or from.  After all, the canal system is shut down.  And the only other path up North passes through Niagara Falls! 

Actually, most tankers that pass through are either destined for the fuel storage tank lines near the Grand Island Bridge or else they are delivering coal to the Huntley Power Station.  Sometimes you will see a garbage barge as well. It is very interesting to see the water level in the lock raise and lower in order to facilitate navigation.

Recreational boaters use the channel too.  There are specific hours of operation and a seasonal schedule that must be adhered to.  The channel is also a popular route for kayakers.  It is protected from the stronger current of the river and there are great opportunities to observe nature.  In the winter, ice fishing is a popular (if not perplexing) past time too.

One unfortunate aspect of the channel is that it receives run-off from the creek.  The creek is highly polluted.  For that reason, it is not advisable to swim in the channel.  While it is fun to take the dog for a swim in the river, this is one area we avoid.  After last year’s big fire on Chandler Street, the EPA put up warning signs about swimming.  Riverkeeper and local neighborhood groups are doing a lot to clean up the creek and take care of the area.  The conditions improve from year to year. 

The importance of the channel from an historic standpoint can’t be ignored, but even more importantly, the recreational aspects of it and it’s close proximity to the Dayton House plays a part in the quality of life for those who live there.



The Other Dayton House

243 is not the only “Dayton House” listed in the National Register.  There is a Dayton House in Lima, NY which was certified 8/31/1989.  It is a structure of local significance which I have not had any real time to research but I am curious about it.

Lewis P. Dayton owned his home in Black Rock in the 1860’s.  Prior to moving to Buffalo/Black Rock, he went to medical school in Geneva, NY.  Lima, NY is not very far from Geneva by today’s standards, but it would probably have been a bit of a trek back in Dayton’s day.  However, maybe it is possible that the same family was involved in both historic structures?  If so, it would be pretty cool!

Here’s a map of where to find the house in Lima:

The house shares many similarities. It was built about 1844 and expanded and upgraded in 1850s / 1860s. It is a two story, three bay dwelling with Greek Revival form and an overlay of Italianate and Gothic Revival design elements.  The Black Rock Dayton House doesn’t contain Gothic Revival touches but it certainly is Greek Revival with a later addition of Italianate.

Here’s a picture of the house from Google Streetview:

The structure is not brick but it carries somewhat similar design components.  The architect/builder is listed as David Dayton.   It is likely that the original roof of the Black Rock Dayton House was the same pitch and configuration as this one.  The three bay first story design is the same too, except for the door being on the right instead of the left.

I would be interesting to get a hold of this homes application to find out if there is any relationship between the Lewis P. Dayton who owned 243 Dearborn and the Dayton’s who lived in Lima.  History is interesting, intriguing and often a bit of a puzzle!



ps. as a curious side/end note... we are moving to a smaller home (The Dayton House will have a new owner soon).  The house we are moving to is a curious combination of features that make it look as if it were a hybrid cross between our Dayton House and this Dayton house!