Waterfront in Buffalo in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

"Buffalo" Balloon

— Historic Transportation —

Photographed by Thomas Johnston

1. "Buffalo" Balloon Marker

Inscription.
Sewn by local women in 1873 for aeronaut Samuel A. King. In July 1874, he flew balloon approx. 400 Mi. from Buffalo to New Jersey in 13 Hours.

Erected 2025 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 53.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Historic Transportation (WGPF) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 4, 1874.

Location. 42° 52.628′ N, 78° 52.745′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in Waterfront. It is at the intersection of Lloyd Street and Prime Street, on the left when traveling east on Lloyd Street. On the west side of the ADA ramp, near corner of Lloyd & Prime Streets. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Marine Drive, 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

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

World,

and in 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: Harboring Hopes (a few steps from this marker); Rebirth & Renewal (a few steps from this marker); The Ruins at Canalside (within shouting distance of this marker); The Big Picture (within shouting distance of this marker); William Wells Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Wedding of the Waters (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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Also see . . .
1. “Buffalo” Balloon (William G. Pomeroy Foundation). Excerpt:

… on July 4, 1874, King once again embarked on a trip in his “Buffalo” balloon. However, this time he traveled from Buffalo all the way to the state of New Jersey, completing the voyage in 13 hours.
C.L. Pond (courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries via Wikimedia Commons), 1874

2. Stereoview: Professor Samuel Archer King's Balloon in Flight July 4, 1874
The balloon landed about halfway between Salem and Bridgeton, New Jersey, having traveled roughly 400 hundred miles. It was reported at the time that King’s trip from Buffalo to New Jersey was one of the longest ever made in a balloon…

(Submitted on October 28, 2025.)

2. Samuel Archer King (Wikipedia). (Submitted on October 28, 2025.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2025, by Thomas Johnston of Kenmore, New York. This page has been viewed 52 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2025, by Thomas Johnston of Kenmore, New York. 2. submitted on October 28, 2025. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.