Waterfront in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Ruins at Canalside
Drinking in 19th Century Buffalo
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 6, 2019
1. The Ruins at Canalside Marker
The authentic remnant of Canal District commerce known now as the Ruins at Canalside, was home to a prominent Commercial Slip building that saw multiple uses in the mid-19th Century as the manufactory of distiller Henry T. Gillet.
Gillet’s distillery, later Gillet & Sons, produced high wines and rectified spirits, historic terms for high-alcohol products of the early staged of distillation – as well as brandies, bourbons, old ryes, and gin.
William Watson had a liquor store upstairs, which minimized the cost of hauling to save time and money. Gillet’s wine and spirits were used locally, especially in the hard-drinking Canal District, and for the canal trade. Americans drank a lot in those days, and drinking was common among the people living and working in Buffalo’s Canal District.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Erie Canal series list.
Location. 42° 52.642′ N, 78° 52.739′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Waterfront. Marker is on Lloyd Street, 0.1 miles north of Prime Street, on the right when traveling
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Big Picture (a few steps from this marker); Harboring Hopes (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo Riverfront Historical Eras to 1930 (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo - An Industrial Powerhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo - A Network of Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); Buffalo - Queen City of the Lakes (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grand Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); William Wells Brown (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 6, 2019
2. The Ruins at Canalside & Marker
There are multi-colored stripes near the white top of the marker post. Use these stripes to locate the marker in these images.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 6, 2019
3. The Ruins at Canalside
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 6, 2019
4. The Ruins at Canalside
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, October 6, 2019
5. The Ruins at Canalside
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2019, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 595 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.
