Essentially everything in this image except the McKinley Monument was destroyed in "urban renewal" in the 1960s. The site of the bank now appears to be a boring late-Sixties state office building. I can't find any trace of any other original building in this image.

There was a good story written in 1967 when the Erie County Savings Bank was demolished.

There's a man on the right side of the street, to the left of the cigar store awning, his back to the camera. What are all those white things hanging off the back of his coat? And is he holding a banjo in his right hand?

[Those are scratches and blotches in the emulsion. - Dave]

Probably a static illuminated letter board, vs. the Times Square style "crawl" which I think was beyond the technology of the day (though not TOO far beyond).

The bulbs aren't really bright enough to work well in daylight.

The message may have changed nightly, each letter was controlled by a large rotary wafer switch housed in a wooden box, that when turned would cause the bulbs in the sign to display a different letter at each position.

High technology, 1908 style.

Shorpy, keep these images coming, I love poring over them. America near its peak as the industrial power of the world, with no end in sight. The age of coal, steam and steel.

and climb up to the top of the tower and choke to death on the emissions of that nearby smokestack. A testimony to the air quality of the time is that the upper floors of all the buildings are blackened with soot.

I count at least five gents carrying umbrellas.

I think buildings can be both hideous and delightful, at the same time.

That's a great shot! I love the whole scene. The building is intense, why don't they make them like that anymore?

I swear this looks like it should be a school of magic! What a GREAT building!

The entire scene is cool. I love all of the business names painted on the windows and the detailing. The spires are simply amazing.

Fifty cents roundtrip! Last time I went to Niagara from Buffalo my niggardly tip was $20. I forget the fare. Inflation has come a long, long way.

What were the Yellow Cars?

This time, Frank Williams has an officemate -- Willet E. Hazard. Corporate attorney Hazard and his brothers would incorporate a gasoline motor manufacturing company in 1909. First named Hazard Engineering Co., it would soon become Hazard Motor Manufacturing Co. The slogan in a 1912 ad in "The Rudder," a yachting magazine, claims "The 'HAZARD' is distinctly better." That is the last mention of the company to be found. Wonder why?

But that hideous thing looks like a Kremlin prison to me.

is the McKinley Monument in Niagara Square.

That was a quip by Neil Simon, used in "A Chorus Line."

When the term "architecture" is used, this is the type of structure they are referring too. Anything else is just another building.

Anyone know what the white monument is for down the street?

Here's why I love this site. I never heard of a "charabanc" until Shorpy. I just thought they were funny little buses. You can read all about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charabanc

I don't know what to say other than that is one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen on Shorpy. The thought of the wrecking ball plowing through those gorgeous granite walls makes me want to cry like a baby.

This same scene would be filled with Horse Drawn Sleighs...what a fun way to get around!

Just checked out the previous photo of the same bank. There are two omnibuses in front, one like that seen in this pic (probably electric; right-hand drive, too) and the other, just nosing into the lower left corner, is definitely gasoline-powered if that hood is any indicator. So I guess these things were pretty common.

The last charabanc we saw was here. A kind of open-air omnibus.

Mark Twain once said, "To commit suicide in Buffalo is redundant."

Or words to that effect. But it looks full of life to me! Love the long street view, and all the wonderful signage.

http://www.buffaloah.com/h/eriebank/index.html

Are those little square things under the Swift's billboard?

[An electric sign. Just wait till dark! - Dave]