Origins: The Roots of Allentown
Wander the leafy streets of Allentown and it’s easy to see why this Buffalo neighborhood holds such a beloved place in the city’s heart. Its charm stems not only from its colorful architecture and bohemian spirit, but from a rich history that dates back to the early 19th century.
Allentown owes its name to Lewis F. Allen, a businessman and prominent landowner who arrived in Buffalo in 1827. Allen initially settled in the northwestern edge of what would become the city, purchasing sprawling farmland bounded by what is now Main Street and North Street. Ever the entrepreneur, Allen carved out a private lane connecting his pasture to the city—this became Allen Street, the central artery of today’s Allentown. Over time, Allen’s influence and the allure of his land attracted new residents, and the area began its transformation from farmland to a bustling residential enclave.
Historical Milestones: Growth and Transformation
Allentown’s transformation accelerated in the mid-to-late 1800s as Buffalo flourished as a gateway city. The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and the rapid rise of Buffalo’s economy drew families, artists, and tradespeople to the growing city. Allentown became one of Buffalo’s first residential suburbs, drawing prominent citizens eager for refined homes just outside the city’s industrial core.
By the late 19th century, Allen Street was lined with stately Victorian and Italianate houses. Many of these architectural gems remain, contributing to the neighborhood’s historic streetscape and earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Landmarks such as The Wilcox Mansion—now home to the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site—are enduring reminders of Allentown’s historical significance.
Iconic Landmarks and Destinations
Allentown is studded with sites that tell its story. Some stand as proud monuments to Buffalo’s golden age, while others reflect the neighborhood’s enduring creative pulse.
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site (Wilcox Mansion): On September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in as President in the parlors of this elegant mansion on Delaware Avenue, after President McKinley’s assassination. The site now welcomes visitors and anchors the neighborhood’s historical significance.
- Kleinhans Music Hall: Located just south of Allentown at 3 Symphony Circle, this 1940 landmark designed by the Saarinens is a world-renowned concert hall, home to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and a proud example of modernist architecture.
- Allentown Historic District: Stroll along streets like Mariner, Franklin, and North Pearl to admire painted ladies, brick townhomes, and carriage houses. These homes reflect a mixture of architectural styles—from Late Victorian and Queen Anne to Greek Revival.
- Days Park: Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Days Park provides a shady, peaceful green space just off Allen Street, surrounded by 19th-century homes and busting with community energy.
Art and Culture: The Bohemian Renaissance
Allentown’s reputation as an artistic hub stretches back to the mid-20th century. After decades of ups and downs—including the challenges of urban renewal and economic decline—Allentown found new energy in the 1960s and ’70s. Artists and musicians drawn by affordable rents transformed vacant buildings and storefronts into studios, galleries, and gathering places for creative minds.
Today’s Allentown is synonymous with the arts. Walk down Allen Street and you’ll find vibrant murals, indie galleries, and boundary-pushing performance spaces. The celebrated Allentown Art Festival, held each June since 1958, draws thousands to browse local art and crafts, making the neighborhood’s creative spirit tangible for anyone passing through.
- Nina Freudenheim Gallery: A staple of Buffalo’s art scene, this gallery has long showcased contemporary art in various mediums.
- Babeville: Located on Delaware Avenue just steps from Allen Street, this former church is now a performance venue, gallery, and community gathering place—a testament to Allentown’s knack for reinventing historic spaces.
A Neighborhood that Evolves
Despite its deep historic roots, Allentown is anything but stuck in the past. The neighborhood has weathered many changes: the suburban flight of the postwar years, the slow revitalization of Buffalo’s urban core, and today’s surge of renewed interest in city living.
Modern Allentown is a place where heritage and innovation meet. Restored homes stand alongside trendy cafes, independent bookstores, and music-filled bars. The Allen Street stretch between Main and Wadsworth, known to locals as “the Strip,” buzzes nightly with diverse crowds—students from nearby Buffalo State, longtime residents, and visitors discovering the neighborhood’s one-of-a-kind energy.
Allentown’s heart beats through its sense of community. Residents and business owners work together to maintain gardens, host street festivals, and support historic preservation efforts. The Allentown Association, founded in 1963, is a driving force behind neighborhood clean-ups, advocacy, and celebration of its unique identity.
Specific Streets, Parks, and Institutions
- Virginia Place: Famous for its leafy canopy and well-tended gardens, the street is a microcosm of Allentown’s residential character.
- Allen Street: The neighborhood’s bustling main thoroughfare, filled with restaurants, shops, vintage record stores, and coffee houses.
- Trinity Episcopal Church: Built in 1886 at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Trinity Place, the church is one of the area’s most striking and historic spiritual centers.
- Symphony Circle: The southern edge of Allentown, this traffic circle is home to Kleinhans Music Hall and serves as a gateway to the rest of Buffalo’s West Side.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Allentown
What makes Allentown truly special is how each generation has added new layers to its character. There’s an abiding sense of pride here—a feeling that neighbors share both history and hope for the future.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have called it home for decades, Allentown’s blend of architectural beauty, artistic spirit, and tight-knit community makes it one of Buffalo’s treasures. Its story is still being written—both on its streets and in the lives of those who cherish it.