The International RR bridge was completed in 1873 the original wooden customs house seen here in black & white was used from 1873 until 1915 when a new building was erected also seen in the rear of the B/W photo. The original house sat where the railroad overpass is now located the B/W photo also shows a bit of Porter Square in the background to the right of the picture.
What's wrong with this sign can you find the mistake? 
This entrance to Squaw Island park around 1730 Niagara St has been a long time coming. It looks vary well done and is a welcome addition to the area. The railroad over pass looks bright and colorful with it's screen printing on either side of the bridge. New lighting, railings, and landscaping complete the entrance to the best kept secret in the city more on Squaw Island at a later date.
9 comments:
Yeah, they spelled Black Rock as Blackrock. Ugh!
I'm really happy that the entrance to this park has been upgraded. The banner on the bridge really alerts drivers that there is a park there. I love the brick building that sits close to the tracks. what was its original purpose?
I think that the brick building you are referring to is probably the old Customs House. Absolutely great building with a spectacular view straight down the International Bridge.
It would make for a great brewpub, local brews from Flying Bison, Canadian beers too, of course. Call it the Custom House. Black Rock has some great bootlegging history, told to me by oldtimers. Can you imagine? Then the train goes rumbling by-Atmosphere! Seriously, I'd love to see a re-use for that building.
The customs house building could also be a great museum for the large amount of Black Rock historical photos and artifacts that exist. With the Erie Canal connection, ship building history, war artifacts,
Bird (Squaw) Island fishing pier, etc, seems an appropriate location to me.
Hey, BRA
i think the date mechanism on your site is not working properly. These can't be posts from Jan. 2007??
I remember delivering papers to the couple of homes along Niagara Street that front Porter Square in the 1960s.
No one even knew the Square was back there. I only knew because I delivered papers there. It was tiny and overgrown.
It wasn't easy to get to and the only people i saw were those who took their dogs back there.
I'd like to come back to the city sometime (when its warm) and see it restored.
I think the city discouraged its use because of its proximity to the train tracks??
Rocky
Yes this post is from January of 2007 almost one year ago.
Well written article.
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