Buffalo's Gold Diggers
Over the last few weeks I have been noticing an increased amount of activity taking place at Front Park. Yes, there have been tractors, digger and trailers reforming the original Olmsted landscape, but upon closer observation I have witnessed a troop of people following the activity with metal detectors in hand. It was obvious to me that these guys must be finding pieces of Buffalo's history as the land was being dug up.
Today I finally decided to pull over to see who they were and what they were finding. "Gold", answered Ted Belczak. "That's what we're looking for... that's what everyone with a metal detector is looking for", he continued with a hint of tomfoolery in his eye. I could tell that he was quite serious though, so I pried, "And what have you come up with?" He answered, "Seated dimes, barber dimes and quarters, Indian head pennies, and uniform buttons and tokens from some of the city's War of 1812. I also found a Grover Cleveland High School ring, which I intend to find the rightful owner so I can return it."
I wondered if there was a club since I noticed that a few different people milling about. Ted replied, "We're part of the Niagara Frontier Relic Hunters Association. There're 65 of us locally, and then there is also a national association as well. The association is all about families... often you will find us out here with our wives and kids looking for history's treasures. We have a lot of fun following these types of digs. Front Park (Fort Porter) is a very exciting place to look for metals. You should come to one of our meetings to learn more."
As I was talking to the Ted (left) and his buddy Mike Burton (right), the red light-o-meter-thing went off and the R2D2-sound-thingy signaled that there was metal underfoot. Mike dug around for a bit and pulled a penny from 1913 out of the hole. I know that's not a big deal, but for a moment I was really caught up in the game.
The group meets every third Sunday of the month (7pm) at the Zion United Church of Christ - Koenig and Parker Circle in Tonawanda.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
The Wait is Almost Over - BR's New Site
As we mentioned in our previous post, we’re in the process of changing the Buffalo Rising site. We’re almost there as we expect to launch the new site on Friday, December 19th.
In the meantime, posting will be light as we log new stories in the new publishing system which will only be viewable when we launch on Friday.
As always, we appreciate our users’ patience as we make this transition but we promise it will be well worth it. With faster load times, a comment view … - Dec 18th 2008, 11:32am
- Continue Reading
- 5 Comments
-
A Kennedy Visits Buffalo
Caroline Kennedy was in town for a visit with our mayor yesterday. A possible choice to succeed US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kennedy's name has been mentioned along with that of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo) and our own Byron Brown, among others.
Certainly, Kennedy has "been around politics" all of her life, which is to say she was born into a family of politicos and lived in the White House--neither of which would necessarily f … - Dec 18th 2008, 7:55am
- Continue Reading
- 32 Comments
-
Downtown Free Fare Zone May be Axed
Free light rail rides on downtown's above ground section could be derailed thanks to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's budget mess. That is the news coming out of a Buffalo Place meeting this morning. Facing a budget shortfall and reduced State operating assistance, the NFTA is scrambling for new revenue sources and is contemplating charging for rides along the lengthy downtown pedestrian mall.- Dec 17th 2008, 4:40pm
- Continue Reading
- 48 Comments
-
The NFTA Santa Ride
Well it is Christmas time in the city and the NFTA helped put people and especially children into the mood in a very festive and fun way. One of my favorite memories of childhood was taking the train downtown with my grandfather. I would gaze out the windows and watch the tunnel speed by. It always felt like we were going a million miles an hour.
Then there was the ability to stand up and walk around during the ride without the need to be strapped down. It was always a fun time … - Dec 17th 2008, 4:34pm
- Continue Reading
- Join the conversation
Comment Options
L
Has anyone looked at the slide show by the New Millenium Group for Front Park and Niagara Street Gateway?
Does anyone have any information as to the start of the Peace Bridge, the elimination of the Toll Plaza and when exactly they will start work on Front Park and Niagara Street Gateway?
Report this
queenseyes
Hey L, Can you tell me who owns all of the property located across from the entrance of the Peace Bridge? And do you know if it is for sale? I'm talking abou the boarded up buildings.
Report this
STEEL
something really has to happen with that property. It is a disgrace!
Report this
TheNextMayor
I believe the Public Bridge Authority owns the vacant lots and boarded up buildings.
The Niagara Street Northern Gateway is no sure thing. Although all the stakeholders have agreed on the Northern Gateway plaza design, the bridge authority and its consultant (Parsons) continue to advocate their own alternative that will lower property values and continue to use the Ft Porter presidio bluff as a highway interchange.
The City of Buffalo will need to approve or reject the draft EIS as part of the second milestone coming up next month. This will be an important time for those supporting a Northern Gateway to speak up.
Report this
L
Queenseyes, I only have a high level understanding of the situation there. As I understand it: 1) the regulatory constraints prevent any portion of the project from starting from the time the environmental review process is completed and record of decision is obtained. 2) they received informal approval for the Canadian Plaza from the Department of Homeland Security and they expect both governments to agree and implement the concept by September 2006, then complete all the details of the DEIS (the DEIS includes the scoping document, preliminary design, traffic and environmental analysis and public hearings) and get it signed off (called the record of decision) by August 2007. 3) The absolute fastest they think they can get a shovel in the ground is the end of 2008 allowing a year for the alternative to be chosen, acquisition of funding and contracting with 30-42 months to build. 4) Regarding the land...as I understand it some of that land was taken by emminent domain and then halted by Hoyt and others because the original plans required many more houses to be taken which resulted in the plaza being moved to the canadian side. My understanding is that the land is to be used for the bridge, traffic to be redirected to Niagara Street and any additional land will be incorporated into Front Park.
I may be wrong...maybe someone has more accurate information. If they do, then I hope they will post but according to their schedule Newell beginning this September everyone must attend those public meetings and of course writing elected officials to make sure that the design alternative chosen incorporates the Niagara Gateway plans by the New Millenium Group.
Whats at risk if we dont? -more demolitions in the Black Rock area -less land for Front Park -Niagara Street will not be redeveloped as a Gateway into the city which will effect Riverside to the north, Black Rock and the West Village to the South and of course the redevelopment of the Erie Canal Wharf district.
Newell, it might be worthwhile to post the slideshow the the New Millenium Gateway proposal for the Peace Bridge and Niagara Street.
Report this