City July 3, 2009 3:32 PM

"Because It's Soldier's Circle..."

queenseyes 27

For the last four years Susan Stevens has, twice a year, planted hundreds of small flags at Soldier's Circle. You can see her out there the day before Memorial Day and the day before the Fourth of July. Why does she do it? "Because it's Soldier's Circle," she told me. "And I know that if I don't do it nobody else will."

It's funny... a lot of people in Buffalo don't even know that's Soldier's Circle. Ever since the three cannons were removed (for scrap) the circle lost its identity. In recent years there have been people rallying around an effort to bring the cannons back, but as of yet nothing concrete has been decided upon (see BRO post). Personally, I would love to see the cannons come back to bring the historic element back to what appears to be a pretty nondescript turnabout. Susan told me of an opportunity The City had a couple of years ago where it could have rented authentic Civil War cannons for $5 a year... um... can we approve that in the next budget people?

In the meantime we can give thanks to Susan for commemorating our military holidays, while providing a temporary identity to a local landmark.

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Comments

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LouisTully

July 3, 2009 3:51 PM

that's awesome. as a veteran, it's nice to know there are some people out there who remember the reason for such holidays. not to be a stickler, but i don't know if independence day is so much a military holiday as a political one.

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whatever

July 3, 2009 5:12 PM

True, but the Declaration started a war so maybe to some extent it's both political and military.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day were intended to be two very different things (Memorial Day not for thanking living veterans but just for remembering those who died), but nowadays that distinction is often overlooked too.

Anyhow next time there's any local memorial statue or plaque to be built honoring vets, Soldiers Circle would be a nice place for it.

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queenseyes

July 3, 2009 4:03 PM

True, true.

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Lorem Ipsum

July 3, 2009 5:04 PM

Cannons? Absolutely. The neighborhood has to protect itself from the Price Rite shoppers and Section 8 tenants who are so dissed elsewhere on BRO.

Seriously, though, nice project, Susan.

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needles

July 3, 2009 5:07 PM

I was so disappointed the first time I saw Soldier's Circle. I always imagined it being or having some sort of grand memorialization to our soldiers. -Especially being the central point of the amazing parkways. Hopefully something permanent will materialize someday soon, the circle deserves it and more importantly the soldiers deserve it. Oh, and of course... good work Susan!

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EricOak

July 3, 2009 5:27 PM

The Olmsted Conservancy is working on a very thoughtful but significant restoration of Soldiers' Circle. If all goes well, it will be a much larger and striking place.

That said, I think it's odd to describe the present circle as "a pretty nondescript turnaround."

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PaulBuffalo

July 3, 2009 6:53 PM

I thought Soldiers' Circle was essentially restored except for replacement of the cannons.

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EricOak

July 3, 2009 11:44 PM

The circle is not yet restored. The original green center was much larger, and the plan is to enlarge it back to its orginal dimensions (and to place period light standards and a focal point (possibly a fountain) in the center). If this happens we'll have a small park at Soldiers' Circle, one that is much more usable and friendly to foot traffic. There have been a few public meetings about this so far, and the Conservancy has done a first rate job in preparing the plan. The next step is funding.

I understand Queenseyes' comparison to the other circles; Soldiers' needs some help. But it really has the most dramatic vistas of all the circles; just standing at the center of it provides an urban view that you cannot find anywhere else in the country.

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PaulBuffalo

July 4, 2009 11:00 AM

Anywhere in the country? Well, I'd throw in Washington DC, Richmond VA, or Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway as similar successful competitors to your claim; but, I always appreciate your passion.

You've said you serve in higher education, but you might be suited to Buffalo's tourism industry or at least the occasional column on BRO, too.

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EricOak

July 5, 2009 11:23 AM

I don't see this intersection as necessarily better than those you mentioned; they have their beauty too, but this is a unique vista: almost totally vintage residential with the convergence of three complexly tree-festooned parkway-meridians. It is a unique Olmsted vista that I haven't seen anywhere else. Personally I'd take it over the others for its scale and delicacy, but that's just taste.

Thanks for the tourism and writing suggestion, but I think I'll stick to education for now.

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PaulBuffalo

July 5, 2009 4:07 PM

A unique Olmsted vista? That's an interesting comment and I trust that you're correct. I don't understand why Buffalo is not more prominently mentioned on the Olmsted international map. The Olmsted and Frank Lloyd Wright portfolios, alone, should have more tourists flocking to the city. I hope the Olmsted folks are able to secure the massive funding they require to rehabilitate all of the landscapes included in their master plan, so that it truly puts Buffalo on the doorstep to the world.

It's too bad that you don't write for BRO. The precision of your writing and the interesting perspectives you provide would benefit readers like me.

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EricOak

July 5, 2009 10:38 PM

Thanks for your kind comments. I have thought about writing for BRO, but I'm a terrific hypocrite about writing: As much as I like to respond to others' articles, I don't like the idea of mine being chewed on. Your comments I read and often enjoy, but I can think of very few others. I don't often enjoy the sensibility that I see on BRO, much as I admire and respect its mission and dedication to the city.

I'll return your suggestion: why don't you write for BRO? You'd lend some thoughtful angles to the issues.

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PaulBuffalo

July 6, 2009 9:01 AM

EricOak, too many BRO readers are hostile to expats and I can empathize with some of their views. I don't need the hassle.

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Clitons Ditch

July 6, 2009 12:22 AM

Olmsted and FLW tourists? How many people outside the region are drawn to Olmsted and FLW sites in Buffalo?

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MRodgers

July 6, 2009 7:02 AM

OMG! How many people would be drawn? With the proper marketing and tie-ins - PLENTY!

Olmsted and FLW go beyond our small borders. They are known Internationally.

Add to that interesting facts like Olmsted's son had created a database, before there were databases, of every structure in Charleston, SC which was used as the base for its preservation. Something our preservationists could study and use as a base for true proactive preservation here. Tying in, as well, with all levels of education from grade school to university, thereby developing a young person's interest in same and creating advocates of tomorrow.

Just a thought....

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PaulBuffalo

July 6, 2009 9:22 AM

Ditch, MRodgers raises good points and let me compare Buffalo's treasures to LosAngeles' FLW structures. As much as I love LA, the community doesn't generally support preservation although attitudes are changing. Recently, FLW's Ennis House, featured in the movie 'Blade Runner' and a stunning work based on Mexican pyramids -- look up images on the internet because the structure is stunning -- is being put on the market instead of maintaining its non-profit status. The reason is that the money necessary to complete renovations cannot be raised and the neighbors are hostile to architecture tourists. There are a number of FLW structures here, but few are open to the public. Buffalo is blessed with architectural riches and, if marketed properly, tourists from outside the United States would flock to the city.

Don't believe me? Take a few tours at the Darwin Martin complex and see how many folks on the tours come from outside of western New York to see the house. When I was younger, I caught my buses to Riverside at the downtown bus station -- an under-appreciated structure, in my opinion -- and I gave directions to countless foreign tourists wanting to know about architecture in Buffalo. Fortunately/unfortunately, foreigners have a better appreciation of architecture than Americans. Architecture and good urban design are magnets and other properties and parks would only increase good attention to the city. (I'll get in my Skyway bashing here: another reason to remove it is to uncover more of Buffalo's historic skyline. So much attention has been focused on what its removal would do for the waterfront, but turn inward and you would see an entirely new skyline.)

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queenseyes

July 3, 2009 7:50 PM

If you look at the rest of the circles you will find beautiful light standards, a fountain and a statue. With the cannons gone I still feel that the missing elements leave it nondescript.

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okcheckitout

July 3, 2009 8:20 PM

I personally know many people who served in the military at times of war. Their strength and courage should never be taken for granted, no matter where you stand on issues of war.

This is a kind and civilized gesture. Thank you, Susan.

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300miles

July 3, 2009 11:25 PM

Susan, Thank you. :)

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benfranklin

July 4, 2009 8:15 PM

Susan is to be applauded. Simple acts by good people hold a community together. While we plan, criticize, wish the building went to the curb, and generally throw bytes into the abyss... thankfully some of our neighbors actually do something, in their own way, to improve the city we call home. Two thumbs up, Sue.

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Verdan

July 5, 2009 3:53 PM

It's going on 3 years since the destructive October snow storm, yet this circle is still barren. It's a good spot to demonstrate the beauty and practicality of Princeton Elms. Home Depot can order those elms for about $110 each, which the residents facing the Circle could certainly afford. Mine cost only $59, but they were on clearance - and have grown from about 10feet to 18, in only 2 years!

Cannons aren't necessary to justify the name.
I assume it was called "Soldiers" because of Chapin and Bidwell, both Generals in the Civil War. Lincoln counts, too - being the Commander in Chief.

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Susan Stevens

July 6, 2009 11:13 AM

Everyone - I very much appreciate your thanks.
Decorating the circle in honor of our country and our soldiers is a small gesture that many can enjoy.

Surprisingly, someone took all the flags on Saturday night.
Perhaps they have a better use for them.

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PaulBuffalo

July 6, 2009 1:43 PM

That's too bad. You still made a difference with your actions. Good for you.

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okcheckitout

July 6, 2009 2:13 PM

Susan,

PaulBuffalo is right, you did make a difference with your actions. Thanks again.

It's a sad commentary when someone choses to belittle the positive efforts made by others. Perhaps this vandal also crowned General Bidwell's horse. An apparent distaste for Buffalo's historic circles. Too bad, really.

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Jesse

July 6, 2009 12:32 PM

I'd love to find out who removed the flags.

First guess is some overzealous city worker bee. Vandals would have swiped a few, not all, or left them all over the place in a mess...

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telstart

July 6, 2009 1:15 PM

Naw, not city workers, the Olmsted group takes care of ths site and probably didn't give permission for the flags. At least they just removed them without charging Susan rental for the spaces she placed them.

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Jesse

July 6, 2009 1:50 PM

Ye gods, that's even worse.

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