Concrete-Central Elevator facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Concrete-Central Elevator
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Concrete-Central Elevator
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | 175 Buffalo River, Buffalo, New York |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Wait, H.R.; Monarch Engineering Co. |
| MPS | Buffalo Grain and Materials Elevator MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000410 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 2003 |
The Concrete-Central Elevator is a very old grain elevator located on the Buffalo River in Buffalo, New York. It is a famous landmark in Erie County, New York.
Contents
History of the Concrete-Central Elevator
The Concrete-Central Elevator was built between 1915 and 1917. When it was finished in 1917, it was the largest grain elevator in the world. It stretched almost a quarter of a mile along the Buffalo River.
This huge building could hold about 4.5 million bushels of grain. It was designed to be very efficient. Crews could load and unload 20 railroad cars every hour. Also, three special arms called marine legs could load and unload three large lake freighters at the same time. The elevator was used to store grain until 1966.
Important Events at the Elevator
In 1976, the City of Buffalo took steps to make the building safer. They removed many of the stairs inside the structure. This was done to prevent accidents and keep people safe from falls.
On May 28, 2013, a fire broke out on the roof of the main elevator building. The Buffalo Fire Department quickly responded. Because the elevator is in a hard-to-reach spot, the fireboat, the Edward M. Cotter (fireboat), was called to help. Firefighters worked for several hours to put out the flames. The fire was kept to a small area of the roof. No one was hurt during the fire.
Where is the Elevator Located?
The Concrete-Central Elevator is on a quiet piece of land. You can reach it by crossing railroad bridges or using a special railroad service road. It's easy to see the elevator from Red Jacket Park, which is at the end of Smith Street. People who go kayaking on the Buffalo River can also get a good view. This area is known as Silo City. It has many old elevators, some of which are still used today.
The Elevator Today
After 1966, the Concrete-Central Elevator was sold many times but stayed empty. By 1975, it was left completely abandoned. Over time, many things like machinery, furniture, and metal were taken from the building. This has left it mostly empty inside.
Even though it's no longer used, the Concrete-Central Elevator is an important part of history. In 2003, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as a special historical site.
Gallery
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The workhouse part of the elevator.
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Inside the basement of the elevator.
