Program

Historic Transportation

Subject

Building, Transportation

Location

50 Commercial St, Gowanda, NY 14070, USA

Lat/Long

42.457603, -78.932116

Grant Recipient

Niagara Frontier Chapter NRHS, Inc.

On October 24, 1874, the first Buffalo & Jamestown Railroad passenger train embarked on a “grand excursion” ride in celebration of the opening of the line to Gowanda. The October 26, 1874 edition of the Courier & Republic noted the occasion:

“The completion and opening of the route of the Buffalo & Jamestown Railroad to the thriving village of Gowanda, thirty-three miles from Buffalo, was duly celebrated on Saturday last with a grand excursion to the present terminating point, affording a large company an opportunity of viewing the fine section of country traversed …

To the citizens of Gowanda the advent of the iron horse was an event of great interest and gratification, and they entertained their visitors in a most hospitable manner.”

Upon arrival at Gowanda Station, the train was welcomed by a large crowd. A dinner was held inside the station, speeches were given by local leaders and railroad officials, and then the train boarded and left for the return trip to Buffalo.

In 1877, the Buffalo & Jamestown Railroad was reorganized as the Buffalo & Southwestern Railroad, which was acquired by the Erie Railroad in 1895. In 1911, the Erie Railroad built a new station in Gowanda to replace the earlier structure. The November 23, 1911 Gowanda News reported on the opening, referring to the interior of the building “as a marvel of beauty” and noted that the old station was moved 300 feet to the west and would be used as a freight house and office.

In 1980, Gowanda Station became the office of the New York & Lake Erie Railroad, a short line operating between Gowanda to Cherry Creek, offering passenger excursion train rides throughout the year.

Links

• New York & Lake Erie Railroad