Buffalo, New York, nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, is a city steeped in history and resilience. Known for its vibrant industrial past, Buffalo thrived in the 19th and early 20th centuries as a hub for grain, steel, and transportation, thanks to its strategic location near the Erie Canal and Great Lakes. Iconic for its architectural gems, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, and its passionate sports culture—home to the Buffalo Bills and Sabres—the city also boasts a rich culinary scene, most famously as the birthplace of Buffalo wings. Despite economic challenges in the late 20th century, Buffalo has seen a renaissance, with revitalized waterfronts, thriving arts districts, and a renewed focus on its blue-collar roots, blending tradition with modern innovation.

Cornelius Winne, recognized as the first white settler in what would become Buffalo, New York, arrived in 1789, hailing from the Hudson Valley and carrying his Dutch heritage. Born around 1767, Winne, of Dutch descent, ventured westward from the Albany area, drawn by the promise of fertile land and opportunity in the frontier. He established a trading post near the confluence of the Buffalo Creek and Lake Erie, laying the foundation for the area’s growth as a commercial hub. His interactions with the Seneca Nation and early fur traders helped shape the region’s economy, though his settlement was modest compared to the city’s later boom. Winne’s legacy endures as a pioneer who bridged Dutch colonial traditions with the untamed possibilities of Western New York.