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

Railroads and the Steel Industry

The Industrial Heritage Trail

— The Western New York Railway Historical Society —

Railroads and the Steel Industry Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 10, 2016

1. Railroads and the Steel Industry Marker

Inscription. The steel industry that developed around the Union Ship Canal and Lake Erie was heavily dependent upon rail transportation for their operations. While bulk shipments of iron ore arrived by ship, coal and other raw materials arrived by rail, and the finished steel products were shipped throughout the country via the numerous connecting rail lines.

Extensive internal rail systems were also developed inside the plants to move raw materials and products between storage and production areas. Both the Lackawanna Iron & Steel Company (later called Bethlehem Steel) and the Hanna Furnace Corporation had their own railroads. In addition, Lackawanna Iron & Steel had a smaller, narrow guage railroad to move ingots and structural pieces.

Rail lines from over two dozen railroads radiated from Buffalo on all directions. Passing immediately east behind the Union Ship Canal and the steel plant were the mainlines of the New York Central, Pennsylvania, Nickel Plate, Lehigh Valley, Buffalo & Susquehanna and Erie Railroads. Additional rail connections were made via the South Buffalo Railway with the Lackawanna Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and the Buffalo Creek Railroad. By the turn of the century, Buffalo was the hub of a massive intermodal transportation center and the second largest rail center in North America. Railroad companies

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owner over 80 percent of land along Buffalo's waterfront, and many established their own boat fleets in order to provide seamless transport to the west.

Engineer Jerry Schenk with his brakeman along the Hanna Furnace loading track, 1956.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 42° 50.021′ N, 78° 51.269′ W. Marker is in Buffalo, New York, in Erie County. It is in South Park. Marker is at the intersection of Fuhrmann Boulevard and North Gates Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Fuhrmann Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Buffalo NY 14218, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wind Power on the Waterfront (here, next to this marker); Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lehigh Portland Cement Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Union Ship Canal

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 10, 2016

2. Eastward

Marker, Union Ship Canal, and the NY Route 5 overpass.

(within shouting distance of this marker); Improvements in Ship Design (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Buffalo.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, April 10, 2016

3. Northward

Each tower has two markers. This is the only tower on the south side of the canal.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2016, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.