Frederick Law Olmsted designed our Buffalo Olmsted Park System to be a refuge from the stress of city life — a source of contemplation, mental calming and refreshing activities. But at times in the past, the parks had to be more than a natural resource for a thriving community; they needed to offer some hope in times of trouble. The year 1873 was such a time. The financial panic of that year was caused by over-speculation in railroad expansion and defaults on poorly secured bank loans. Banks failed and a cascade of business closings followed. The effects of the panic…
Author: Jim Mendola
This column is about the Parrott naval rifles that once stood guard at Buffalo’s parks, circles and squares. I thought it would be easier — who knew cannons could be so complicated? Parrott rifles are so named because of the rifling of the cannon barrel. The spiral cuts in the interior of the barrel added spin to the projectiles, which made them more accurate than smooth bore cannons. The projectile itself was the pointed shape of modern artillery shells, spelling the eventual end of cannonballs as ammunition. So these can accurately be called either rifles or cannons. The rifles and…
When you drive over the Lincoln Parkway bridge past Hoyt Lake onto the Scajaquada roadway, you may notice those granite finials for a couple of seconds as you pass. They are successors to the oak and cast iron railings of the past. This bridge is the third to span that spot over our park lake. The first bridge was designed by Calvert Vaux, partner and mentor to Frederick Law Olmsted. It was completed in the spring of 1872 just as “the Park” (later named Delaware Park) was being sculpted into final form. It was 55 feet wide with a 35-foot…