Waterfront in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Coit and Townsend’s “Red” Warehouse
Buffalo’s Earliest Wealth
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, June 25, 2022
1. Coits and Townsend’s “Red” Warehouse Marker
The "Red Warehouse” was a pioneering harbor structure among the earliest major commercial buildings in Buffalo. Located along the Buffalo Creek, it was a commercial gamble by George Coit and Charles Townsend, and a demonstration of Buffalo's commitment to build a canal harbor. Their risky choice paid off when they and Thaddeus Joy built the Commercial Slip to link the lakes to the new Erie Canal that they helped bring to Buffalo.
Coit and Townsend was a freight-forwarding firm that moved cargo between lake vessels and canal boats. Its founders, who had started their business careers as pharmacists, brought the earliest wealth to the Village of Buffalo.
Coit and Townsend were joined by harbor-builder Samuel Wilkeson and Oliver Forward in backing the Erie Canal terminus effort and winning Buffalo's designation as the canal's. Western Terminus.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 42° 52.657′ N, 78° 52.774′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Waterfront. It is at the intersection of Marina Park South and Commercial Street, on the left when traveling west on Marina Park South. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Marina Park S, Buffalo NY 14202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Lieutenant T. James (Jimmy) Crotty (here, next to this marker); Lt. Col. Matt “The Ghost” Urban (here, next to this marker); USS Boston SSN703 (a few steps from this marker); Wedding of the Waters (a few steps from this marker); A Changing Waterfront (a few steps from this marker); William Wells Brown (a few steps from this marker); God Honor and Country (within shouting distance of this marker); In Recognition of Long and Faithful Service (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, June 25, 2022
2. Coits and Townsend’s “Red” Warehouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 13 times this year. Last updated on July 1, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2022, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
