Ohio Street

301 Ohio Street

One of the new faces of the First Ward, 301 Ohio Street boasts 21 units right on the Buffalo River, many with views. Ellicott Development finished this project  in 2016. Good luck getting one of the two or single bedroom apartments. There's another new build down the street, soon to reach completion. Twenty years ago, who would have imagined the river through the Old First Ward as hot development territory? "The worm has turned," as they say.

Swannie

Swannie House

The building itself dates back to 1882, and legend has it, served as a tavern around 1892.
Whiskey, waterfront and seamen, what could go wrong? The tavern is alive and well today, returned from near death starting in 1983. Stop by Michigan and Ohio, and see if the walls will talk.

View from the Ward

Ohio Street heading Downtown

A rejuvinated and ever improving Ohio Street is flanked by retro street lights, making its way through the renaissance of the Old First Ward.

Then and Now

Grain League Federation elevator and silos in decline on Buffalo River/ Library of Congress

Spruced up silos/ dock at Tewksbury Lodge/ RiverWorks

Still down by the river. We found this photo of the GLF Silos off Granson Street taken somewhere between glory days and complete neglect. From Riverfest Park, you can see a Buffalo River reborn, in use and enjoyed. The effects on the Old First Ward are undeniably good. People that have never seen this side of Buffalo and those that haven't been back in years are down here and active. The spirit of people who never gave up in the old neighborhood and those that believed in the value of history preserved, will hopefully continue to spur on revitalizations around the city.