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

Inscription. The Ruins at Canalside. Drinking in 19th Century Buffalo.

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

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in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Waterfront. It is on Lloyd Street 0.1 miles north of Prime Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buffalo NY 14202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and specifically in Western New York.

It is also in the American Northeast,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Big Picture (a few steps from this marker); "Buffalo" Balloon (within shouting distance of 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);

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.

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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

The Ruins at Canalside image. Click for full size.

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 1,719 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 6, 2019, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.