Frederick Law Olmsted designed America's first park and parkway system in 1868 for Buffalo New York. Symphony Circle, his first "sylvan hub," designed in 1874, was followed by Ferry Circle in the 1890s. In 2002, we celebrated this Corridor of Light with the restoration of the center islands at Symphony and Ferry Circles.
The Kleinhans Community Association has documented the history of Olmsted's Corridor of Light in a finely researched, beautifully designed webpage. The page takes the viewer through the history of the corridor, from the original Symphony Circle greenspace to the recent restoration of the the West Ferry and Richmond Circles.
Learn about the history of the Kleinhans reflecting pool and its return to Symphony Circle. Did you ever see a photo of the mansion that used to occupy the footprint where the music hall now sits? The page visits the 1889 construction of the First Presbyterian Church and the history of its neighboring statues. Read about the glorious mansions that once stood on the circle and the restoration work that has given new life to such old homes as the Birge Mansion.
For a truly enriching Buffalo experience online, visit the Kleinhans Community Association's webpage dedicated to one of the most historically significant areas of the city.