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

The Long Homestead

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

1. The Long Homestead Marker

Inscription.
In December of 1828, Benjamin and Mary Hershe Long arrived here from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. With them were their five daughters, ranging in age from 6 months to 16 years.

Their home, built the following spring, is constructed of timber hand-hewn from trees cut down on the spot - black walnut for the walls and white oak for the beams. Pennsylvania German influence is reflected in the two front doors which open directly into the main rooms of the first floor. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, and its towpath passed directly in front of the homestead. The Long family, soon to include a son and another daughter, was witness for decades to sights and sounds unique to the Erie, its boatmen and their legendary animals.

Benjamin Long (1787-1959)

A New Canal Season - May 12, 1905
The Delaware Street Bridge spans the Erie Canal between Tonawanda (right) and North Tonawanda. The canal boat "Harvey H. Quinn" is moored in front of the Long Homestead awaiting the start of the canal's 80th season.

The Erie Canal travels through Tonawanda. circa 1905. As shown in the painting, the towpath ran along the south side of the canal past the Long Homestead and through the City of Tonawanda.

Rafting in Tonawanda Creek, 1860
During the late 1840s, a

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

2. The Long Homestead Marker

Westward; Long Homestead at left. The walkway leads to the pedestrian bridge over Ellicott Creek. "The Railroad" marker is at the opposide end of the bridge.

fledgling lumber industry took root in the Tonawandas. One of the men responsible was Henry P. Smith, husband of the Longs' daughter Christina. Settling with his family in Walsingham, Ontario, Canada, Smith began a business in rafting. Logs were chained together into huge rafts that were towed to the harbor at the Tonawandas. There they were dismantled and either treated in local sawmills or made into smaller rafts before being towed east on the Erie Canal.

Smith had discovered a niche for the Tonawandas, and over time, others would follow suit. In addition to rafts, lake vessels arrived here with timber to be unloaded for distribution elsewhere. Lumber, not only from Ontario but also from Michigan and points west, would be king in the Tonawandas for decades to come.

Henry P. Smith (1811-1874).

Marker series. This marker is included in the Erie Canal marker series.

Location. 43° 1.271′ N, 78° 52.558′ W. Marker is in Tonawanda, New York, in Erie County. Marker can be reached from East Niagara Street 0.1 miles west of Fillmore Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is located along a walkway beyond the west end of East Niagara Street and the Delaware Avenue (NY 384) overpass. It is between the house and the Erie Canal (Tonwanda Creek). It is also accessible by walking over

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

3. The Long Homestead Marker

Approaching the marker from the end of East Niagara Street, the Erie Canal (Tonawanda Creek) is at right.

the Ellicott Creek pedestrian bridge at "The Railroad" marker on Young Street near the intersection of Main Street. Marker is in this post office area: Tonawanda NY 14150, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Long Homestead (here, next to this marker); The Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Dam (about 500 feet away); Lumber Capital (about 500 feet away); The People (about 500 feet away); Gateway to the West (about 500 feet away); Lumber Port (about 600 feet away); Roll of Honor (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tonawanda.

More about this marker. There is an older style marker (1971) for the Long Homestead a few steps away.

Categories. • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels •

The Long Homestead Left Stone image. Click for full size.

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

4. The Long Homestead Left Stone

The Long Homestead Right Stone image. Click for full size.

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

5. The Long Homestead Right Stone

The Long Homestead image. Click for full size.

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

6. The Long Homestead

Back and Left sides.

The Long Homestead Back and Right image. Click for full size.

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

7. The Long Homestead Back and Right

By Anton Schwarzmueller, September 13, 2014

8. The Long Homestead

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on September 21, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 21, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.