Buffalo Gas Light Company, 249 West Genesee Street, Buffalo, Erie County, NY

Significance: The Buffalo Gas Light Company began the manufacture of illuminating gas from coal in horizontal retorts in 1848. At that time the designated lamp district in the city contained 179 lights with fan tail burners. In 1859 an addition was made to the front of the retort house. A 20 foot Norman facade to brick dressed with ashlar masonry, designed by John H. Selkirk, contained an engine room and a blacksmith shop and other support facilities. Today all operating equipment has been removed and the gasholders have been dismantled. The buildings on the site are being used for storage and vehicle maintenance. These buildings stand as examples of the growing gas light industry in the United States during the 19th century.
Survey number: HAER NY-64
Building/structure dates: 1848 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1859 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1877 Subsequent Work