When some think of Buffalo, the American bison comes to mind. But in the early 1800s, there were no buffalo in the New York area, and in fact the historic naming of the city had nothing to do with the animal. It is instead named for an aberration of the French words "beau fleuve" or beautiful river.
Situated on the Niagara River, Buffalo lies in western New York and borders the eastern shore of Lake Erie. It is New York's second largest city.
Before European settlers arrived the region in the late 1700s, native American tribes such as the Iroquois inhabited the area. In 1804 property owned by the Holland Land Company was plotted and a grid established for the new community.
Buffalo became a center for American troops during the War of 1812, and as such, a target for British soldiers and Indians. The city was destroyed and suffered a long rebuilding period.
With the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, Buffalo developed into a major trade and commerce center. Later in 1840, a new railroad connected Buffalo with points east, cementing its role as a transportation hub, especially for grain. Later, manufacturing and steel making became important.
Buffalo faltered in the 1950s and 60s partly due to its loss to the new St. Lawrence Seaway as a primary transportation hub. More recent investment in education and healthcare has reversed this trend.
Blessed with the Niagara River and ample hydroelectric power, Buffalo became the first American city with electric street lights. A tragic event occurred in 1905 when President McKinley was shot in the city, later resulting in his death.
