Allentown, Buffalo

The Allentown district is a neighborhood in Buffalo, New York. It is known for its historic buildings and unique charm. The area includes the Allentown Historic District, which helps preserve the past and shows how people lived many years ago. This neighborhood is a special place for those who love history and want to see old architecture.

History

Allentown is named after Lewis F. Allen, who arrived in Buffalo in 1827 to help manage an insurance company. He was also a farmer and used some land near Buffalo and Black Rock for his cattle. This path became known as Allen Street. Allen helped start the Buffalo Historical Society and Forest Lawn Cemetery, where he is buried. He was married to Margaret Cleveland Allen, the aunt of future president Grover Cleveland. Allen introduced Cleveland to important people who helped him start a career in law and politics.

Geography

Allentown is a neighborhood just north of downtown Buffalo. It is located between the downtown theater and entertainment area to the south and North Street to the north. The neighborhood stretches from Normal Avenue on the west to Main Street on the east and is centered around Allen Street and Elmwood Avenue.

People in Allentown are known for supporting artists and celebrating unique cultures. It is a popular spot in Buffalo for enjoying nightlife, trying new restaurants, and finding interesting antique shops.

Historic district

The Allentown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and expanded in 2012. It includes Kleinhans Music Hall, which is also a National Historic Landmark, and the Birge-Horton House on Delaware Avenue.

The original area has around 733 buildings in many different styles. There are also three park areas, two redesigned by Frederick Law Olmsted and one circle, Symphony Circle, designed as part of his plan for the city's parks. After finishing his plan, Olmsted returned to improve Day's Park and Arlington Park, two existing city parks.

Notable places

Allentown, Buffalo, has many special places. The Allendale Theater is where the Theater of Youth performs. Arlington Park was redesigned by Frederick Law Olmsted and was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright when he worked in Buffalo. The Williams-Butler Mansion was designed by Stanford White. Day’s Park was also redesigned by Olmsted. Kleinhans Music Hall is where the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra plays. Symphony Circle is part of Buffalo’s beautiful park and parkway system, also designed by Olmsted. The Wilcox Mansion marks the spot where Theodore Roosevelt began his first term as president. The Nickel City Housing Cooperative is Buffalo’s first single-family housing cooperative, located in Edward Brodhead Green’s historic Granger Mansion. Trinity Episcopal Church is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

Allentown Art Festival

The Allentown Art Festival began in 1958 as the Buffalo Art Festival, started by Jason Natowitz to help local businesses. It started with just 50 artists and quickly became very popular. People loved the event, and it was called one of the most colorful cultural events in Buffalo.

Over the years, the festival grew and became known as the Allentown Art Festival. The Allentown Village Society and its volunteers have helped make the festival a big success each year. The festival has become more than just a weekend event, bringing joy to the Allentown neighborhood and beyond.