The Story Of Humboldt Parkway
Buffalo’s Park and Parkway system
Designed by Frank Law Olmsted, it was a magnificent park-and-parkway system. It formed an “emerald necklace” of parkland around the city’s core.
The crown jewel was Humboldt Parkway
Destruction and Division in the Name of Progress
1950s, 60s, & 70s – now
Main & Humboldt Overpass Construction, 1952
The Main-Humboldt underpass, was the first project in the construction of the expressway network.This was the beginning of the end for Humboldt Parkway.
Early 1950s
Buffalo Evening News, 1957
Only two men were assigned to relocate 526 families that were forced to lose their homes due to eminent domain.
1957
Humboldt Parkway, 1959
Preparation for the destruction of Humboldt Parkway begins. The sounds of buzzsaws begin filling the air, while residents look on in shock.
1959
Birds-eye view of the Kensington construction
The Kensington Expressway begins construction, destroying miles of parkway, removing hundreds of small businesses and families.
early 1960s
Agassiz Circle, early 1960s
Kensington Expressway construction continues
1960s-1970s
Near Science Museum
Kensington Expressway construction continues
1960s-1970s
Rte 33, Kensington Expressway today
After nearly 25 years of planning, destruction, and highway construction, the Kensington Expressway is completed. This has resulted in soil pollution, remember leaded gasoline was used at the time. Plus increased levels of asthma, cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
1972 – now
Asthma Rates of Local Population
The areas around the Kensington Expressway are in the 95th-100th percentile for asthma, cancer, and other respiratory illnesses
Ongoing
