Very good job. I drove down Chippewa five times a week for four years with my dad to go to high school at Hutch Tech, so I saw many of these buildings and store fronts in more run down condition.
Lived off Hudson Street; Schooled on the West Side Streets; Spent 20's on Chippewa Street ;iving the life; Spent the next 35 years remembering and thinking about how fast it went. Great Video, Thank you so much for the memories from an old timer
These photos bring back memories! Chippewa was what used to be called the "red light district". There were several strip joints there in the '70's. and the old Greyhound bus station was very close by. My family published an entertainment magazine in Buffalo, in the early '70's, and our production office, (where we put the magazine together), was up on West Ferry., a block off of Main St. We also had an office suite at the Statler Hilton. Thanks for posting.
Thank you for posting this. I love historical photos, even as depressing as these. I remember my brother taking me to the Wilcox Mansion when I was about 10 (around 1980) and as we drove by Chippewa, he said, "Yuck, we don't want to head down that street." I asked why, and he answered that that's where all the prostitutes hung out. It surprised me that fifteen years or so later, it started to have a resurgence as the go-to nightclub spot for young people.
Nice work. This does a good job of capturing the milieu of the downtown area in the later half of the 1970s. I attended Hutch-Tech High School, which is located at Chippewa and South Elmwood, 1975-1979. I remember getting off the bus on Main Street and walking down Chippewa to Elmwood on a Monday morning (or worse, a Tuesday morning after a holiday) and stepping over people who were passed out, sitting or lying in reeking puddles of their own urine. Like Times Square in New York City around that same time, these urban areas reached a low point for decay and filth. I am pleased to see that people in the community stepped up and turned things around. The last few times I've been in downtown Buffalo, I've been impressed by the improvements. Go Buffalo!
My friend it is getting better, there is a beautiful modernist mixed use tower of 12 stories on the northwest corner of Chippewa and Delaware that replaced the crumbling decrepit Delaware Court Building. Both Starbucks and Spot are on either side of Chippewa at Delaware. There appears to be a somewhat classier nightlife along the ChipStrip the street is immaculate now. The street lighting is way better than those dim old incandescent streetlights in the 70s.
Went to Hutch Tech, 69-73 walked Chippewa from Main to Elmwood 2x a day for 4 years, this was what we saw. Dino's Pizza and Subs and Dewey's Diner were favorite eateries....nice job...
I recall a very big topless dancer (300 lbs., or more) who worked in one of the "clubs" along Chippewa (early 1970's) and she actually billed herself as "Tons of Fun." Well perhaps she was - I was a young teen at the time, but she was something of a "street celebrity" and we kids all knew of her. Thanks for the great post - I love exploring Buffalo's history and this brings back many memories.
I grew up on Chippewa St. My parents owned a flower shop on Chippewa for 60 years. My dad owned the building and would rent rooms to a variety of people. Frankie Martin was one of them. He was the MC at the Stage Door. I will never forget one renter. White fury and her twin 44's
My aunt and uncle lived upstairs on the second or third floor next to the House O'Quin in the 50s through mid 60s . I remember all this images so vividly .You did an excellent job capturing the reality .The bums the winos the sleazy bars .I used to sit by the window watching all the characters parade by
Wow, Very Cool! I walked that street 2x a day from Sept 1969 to June 1973 From Main street to Hutch Tech! Big culture shock coming from a nice North Buffalo neighborhood walking past all the sights on the Chipstrip! I didn't see Dino's Pizza and Subs, Awesome!, nor Dewey's Diner across from Tech, coffee and a doughnut before school! Thanks for the video!
I also walked Chippewa St from Main St to Elmwood Ave twice a day going to Hutch Tech. 1962-1966. Dewey's Diner was there, you could buy smokes without a hassle from the machine in the entrance way. Many a day stopping for pizza after school at the place on the corner about 2/3 the way back to Main St. Bums in the store entryways were there every morning. I don't remember the "Girls, Girls, Girls" signs up when I was walking to/from school though. They must have come later. I Joined the US Air Force in 1968 and began a 21 year career. I rarely if ever got back to Buffalo.
Hey MrArtECHoke thank you SO Much for this ! I was a Bartender at the COZY BAR (1972) on Chippewa Street and use to go to the Stage Door and ALL the other GO GO Joints on that block. Your essay brings back a lot of great memories for me.
I had my tech software company at 67 W Chippewa in the 2000s right above Barristers Speak easy, LEVEL nightclub was built and had access to it from my office, McMonkeez was across the hall too! Great memories, now I live Ranching in Arizona
Such an amazing difference now. I remember how if I was caught anywhere around there, I would have been grounded for like. Wonderful, historic pictures.
I worked at Chippewa Army Navy in 1975. I remember the wino seen at 41 seconds. It was an interesting clientele that included hookers buying knives for protection, punks buying knives so they could get picked up by the police half an hour later and winos buying an annual pair of socks. One of the interesting characters that hung around was a guy we called Durango Boots. He was the son of a wealthy Buffalo doctor, but refused to conform and preferred living in a flop house behind Chippewa Army Navy, so he wouldn't have to deal with the stress of being who he was expected to be. Another regular on the street was a businessman who had had a breakdown and ended up on the street, walking back and forth all day long, while muttering to himself. Sad but genuine. There were a lot of characters on that street. Thanks for sharing.
Andy Battaglia I remember my brother Bill and I buying Vietnam combat boots at that Army Navy store! We used to walk down from our family business on West Ferry. After I went away to boarding school and returned to Buffalo, all my boarding school friends wanted me to take them "downtown" to see what it was all about. So I would play "tour guide". Once a drunk black guy that we got into a conversation with pulled out and displayed his switchblade for us. My boarding school friends stopped asking to go downtown. My brother later joined the Army. (Infantry, later Airborne.)
I remember passing through there on our way to Ryan's New Federal Pub just behind the Federal Building - the hangout for the kids from Nichols and Canisius High Schools!
Graduated in 1969..remember Deweys, wels shop, Prinipal Zefferjahn at scool auditorium where he woild stand on podium, giving speeches and pik his nose!!
Thanks for this, I worked at 33 1/3 West Chippewa in 1976-77. I would come into work around 5 am when the corners were still full of pimps and prostitutes. Crazy times. Carried a piece of pipe in my belt. I remeber one prostitute holled at saying hey you want a date I said sure you buying. She went ape cussing and heading towrds me. I guess I was not too smart at 17. LOL
omg wow i used to hang down there i was like 15th lol ,,,and wow did i see some crazy shit and pimps in pink bhaaaa there was some crazy ass people back then and wow bring back a lot's of thought's thanks for the flash backs
I moved out of Buffalo 34 years ago and I still occasionally get nightmares of me being a child, walking down Chippewa late on a Saturday night, being approached by slimy characters.
Stanley Cohen In my early teens I lived on the lower west side, not far from downtown. The guys I hung out with were not what you'd call angels, and Chippewa St. beckoned with an allure all its own. We'd talk to the bums and give them some spare change. We'd check out the hookers, and Ronny Paniccia would say something stupid to them and we'd briskly walk away laughing and back slapping each other. The strip clubs always left their front doors open, and of course we'd walk by ten times just to get a glimpse of our adolescent dreams in real time. If we stopped and gawked the guy at the door would say, "Hey, you kids get otta here or I'll call the cops!" Boy, we thought, the nerve of the guy, calling us, kids. Didn't he realize we were thirteen and fourteen years old? Why, Danny Delaney alone was almost fifteen. I guess every guy had a Chippewa Street in his young life. Seeing the seedy side of things gave us a better perspective of what life was all about.
I wish you could have gotten a picture of the red devil bar. my uncle lived above it and frequently got in fights and subsequently arrested. my mother bailed him ot many times the place is legendary
Mr. Taylor, I also spent many years working in the Root Building, on the 5th floor. Please let me know which company your father had, we perhaps ran into each other.
Seems like we got close to Chippewa in the late 70's when we attended concerts at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. We lived out in the country about 35 miles away so it seemed kind of scary when we were younger.
Russel Jay I remember a Bob Segar concert, he ended saying CAT MAN DO GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY, also Areosmith, Neil Young, I went to Buffalo Braves games & Sabres, then in 80s got Bills season tickets. How about those concerts at Bills Stadium 4 every summer Those were crazy times with hardly any Security.
My step father (Doug) owned Dewey's Diner at 166 W. Chippewa (across from Hutch-tech) for many many years.My mom Sharon and I also worked there.TONS of memories of the customers. In fact, one of them was crazy Mr. Pierce. He was so grumpy, but used to make me laugh with the things he'd do!* a relative Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.
This is a wonderful video showing Chippewa Street in the bad old days of the 1970s when it was grimy, rundown and rife with drugs, degenerates, and prostitution. The street itself was also a deteriorated mess with rough pavement and the sidewalks were broken up and always littered with glass, trash, used condoms and other lovely little items that you would find on skid row.
Wow, the old timers were tell in' the truth about Chippewa in the '70's. There is a public. School on this street now. I work there!! Really enjoyed these photographs!!
to bad i didn't see the bar called nick's on busti ave been looking for it but no luck again thanks for the video wow glad i came across it ...i thought i see pimp with big pink hats lmao
Thanx for the photo flashback, I actually spent some time running the streets down there (had to be about 1971 I think?) as a runaway and in Allen Town (?), lived close by on West Side, and knew some shady low budget gangster types, ran some numbers, shined shoes, etc ... I could tell some stories though. The guy @ 2:47 wearing cut off shorts dark t-shirt and longer dark hair, I believe I knew him ... if it is ... he was a native American dude name Joe (aka Indian Joe) and was into alot of shady activities ... Wow ... this really brought back some memories though. Today I live in Dallas, married, kids, grandkids and the rest. Ranch Chimp Journal
+Thomas Pickering Thomas, I enjoyed your comment, and would like to find a way to get in touch with you and discuss The Chippewa Street area. I spent many hours on that street and I'm sure we knew the same people. cwhahn07@yahoo.com
+MrArtEChoke Hey Art! (I knew a guy named Art too down there, actually Art Trott) ... Maybe you knew Eddie Stein too? ... tall white dude that used to sell them rings/ jewelry, and done some pimping as well ... Eddie was into everything, and went back and forth working nearby Toronto as well. How about Davie Kerr? Or Joe Clark, originally from Queens/ NYC who was known on the street as 'Junkie Joe' ... SOB probably got killed all the people he burned {:- ) Remember that Chicago Style Smoke Shop ... that was a gambling and brothel type front. How about 'Angel' (Eddie Rogers ... he also rode with the 'Savage Ones' biker club)? ... Carmen Loster? .... My snail mailing address, email address and home phone is on my blog too, along with my photo, even though I dont look the same today as back in the day. Are you still in Buffalo? I still have familia there around Casanova(spelling?) Park, Mount Vernon Street ... but I havent been there in years, and at that time I stayed around Black Rock too. Ranch Chimp Journal/ blogspot
Part of me saying Jay wait and watch the whole thing before I come in but I got to say this I noticed it still buildings from late 1800 + 1900 still present in the picture s
Bob; Was the flower shop "Forget-Me-Not". Who was your father. I remember them as I worked across the street in the Root Building. Thanks again for your comment.
My friend used to bartend at Ciros. Remember going there once with my sister-in-law, not knowing it was a strip joint. This was in the middle afternoon, what a riot!
wow, brings back memories....my Dad had B.U.D. Ring at 75 1/2 W. Chippewa. i worked there from 15 to 18 yrs. old. i remember getting lunch for the guys at the drug store on the corner, walking to the post office, getting propositioned by pimps, seeing the poor winos in the parking lot.... don't know why i wasn't scared. i would be now.
My late father and I would walk down that street after we. got to Buffalo as he WORK on the railroad and the one thing. I remember him saying that was the street was the street of broken dreams
Used to go to The Fisherman's Wharf in the early seventies, great times. Girls would dance on a boat shaped stage behind the bar. Got to know the owner Leonard Elerstein while drinking 151 and Coke. The area was alive!!
Really liked the photo essay check out the play" Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick" I saw it performed by a small local theater company in Ukiah Ca. a few years ago it was great reminded me of my youth
h8 potus I’ve joined the U.S.Army in August 3, 1977 & honorably discharged in February 3, 1983. I’ living in Williamsville, NY right now & it is sad that Alcoholic Anonymous longtimers were brutal toward these drunks with no compassion. They all passed away being dead drunk with no care of this world. In January 15, 1987 - January 15, 1990 in the U.S.Army National Guard @ Connecticut Street Armory. Chippewa ended the old era of hookers, pimps, & drunks. Now Chippewa real estate has improved 90%, but still fancy bars are there to help with the City Hall Budget. People still drinks with this New Generation of drug addicts & drunks.
after a nite of partying in Allen town,ny, we would go to Chippewa st to see the prostitutes ,they would come up to the car and put their hands in the crotch area and cop a feel and the hand would feel your pocket for the cash,this is 4am in the morn ,this street was very dangerous back in77,78,topless bars ,pimps on the corners,we had the liquid courage goin on and felt no fear back then,was a big shoot out at the warf one year early on and it was boarded up back then,good times but stupid now i think about it
I've walked up and down this street many times.Chippewa was known mostly for prostitution,bars and strip clubs.I left buffalo for Houston at the age of 17,immediately after the blizzard of 77.Aint been back since.Still consider it home though.
@@MrArtEChoke I am a musician who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and lived on (Meech Street) down the street from Canisius. I am a musician along with my friend namely, Billy Nunn. I am pretty sure that you heard of him and he played on some of Rick Jame's albums. His brother is Bobby Nunn who was also a motown artist who had a hit entitled: "SHE'S JUST A GROUPIE". I am doing a video on Billy Nunn and saw that some of your footage would work for this particular project. I would be sure to kindly give you credit for this. I will wait on your reponce and thank you.
@@MrArtEChoke I am a musician who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and lived on (Meech Street) down the street from Canisius. I am a musician along with my friend namely, Billy Nunn. I am pretty sure that you heard of him and he played on some of Rick Jame's albums. His brother is Bobby Nunn who was also a motown artist who had a hit entitled: "SHE'S JUST A GROUPIE". I am doing a video on Billy Nunn and saw that some of your footage would work for this particular project. I would be sure to kindly give you credit for this. I will wait on your reponce and thank you.
Sure use whatever you would like. If you could use better quality images just let me know. The Buffalo history museum is exhibiting some of these at this time, check it out. Third Friday of each month is free to get in. From now on I wouldn’t mind using email, cwhahn07@yahoo.com Regards
I went to Hutch Tech graduated in 1976. Took the Main St bus and walked the plank everyday. Mr. Radice lived in our neighborhood had a strip club down there. I will never forget one old wino in a wheelchair, lost his legs probably a WWII veteran, he would sleep in doorways in the dead of a Buffalo winter with a wool suit jacket with a sweater underneath. Couple years later didn't see him anymore....The drugged out Indians/native americans were really crazy......
Richie was a good guy never turned anyone away tried to help the less forunate. Wife was a peach too. Followed them to next place at Main and Virgina til I left
Never should have changed the name of House O'Quinn. Doesn't get much more majestic or Buffalo than that. "Brinks"? Does anyone care what is there now?
Yea, so in 1984 my friends and I went downtown to see if we could buy some (The) Police concert tix, We couldn't afford $200 for 4. (No shit- in 1984) So we slipped into this sleazy strip club- no one batted an eye. We certainly were not all of age. Good ol' days right ?
at the time me and my friends used to ride our bikes down there. what a sight for a 14teen year old whores fighting each other over johns strippers you can look but don't touch porno book stores and odd balls of all sorts. all in good fun lol
I attended Hutch tech 1974-78. I remember it well. I loved the earring store!!!
Very good job. I drove down Chippewa five times a week for four years with my dad to go to high school at Hutch Tech, so I saw many of these buildings and store fronts in more run down condition.
There was a mr augello that taught there...any relation?
@@joepiershalski5432 My father
@@mpa2nd how cool 😊
Lived off Hudson Street; Schooled on the West Side Streets; Spent 20's on Chippewa Street ;iving the life; Spent the next 35 years remembering and thinking about how fast it went. Great Video, Thank you so much for the memories from an old timer
These photos bring back memories! Chippewa was what used to be called the "red light district". There were several strip joints there in the '70's. and the old Greyhound bus station was very close by. My family published an entertainment magazine in Buffalo, in the early '70's, and our production office, (where we put the magazine together), was up on West Ferry., a block off of Main St. We also had an office suite at the Statler Hilton. Thanks for posting.
Yes ... Back in the day when the Statler was "The Statler Hilton".
What a walk down memory lane, thanks for sharing this video! Nice work!!
So much in these photos. Thank you for sharing your gift .
Thank you for posting this. I love historical photos, even as depressing as these. I remember my brother taking me to the Wilcox Mansion when I was about 10 (around 1980) and as we drove by Chippewa, he said, "Yuck, we don't want to head down that street." I asked why, and he answered that that's where all the prostitutes hung out. It surprised me that fifteen years or so later, it started to have a resurgence as the go-to nightclub spot for young people.
I started at Hutch Tech (corner of Elmwood and Chippewa) in 1975. Thank you for sharing the memories.
great memories..well done,essay dude
Brought back a LOT of memories ... some good, some bad! Time ... marches on!
Nice work. This does a good job of capturing the milieu of the downtown area in the later half of the 1970s. I attended Hutch-Tech High School, which is located at Chippewa and South Elmwood, 1975-1979. I remember getting off the bus on Main Street and walking down Chippewa to Elmwood on a Monday morning (or worse, a Tuesday morning after a holiday) and stepping over people who were passed out, sitting or lying in reeking puddles of their own urine. Like Times Square in New York City around that same time, these urban areas reached a low point for decay and filth. I am pleased to see that people in the community stepped up and turned things around. The last few times I've been in downtown Buffalo, I've been impressed by the improvements. Go Buffalo!
My friend it is getting better, there is a beautiful modernist mixed use tower of 12 stories on the northwest corner of Chippewa and Delaware that replaced the crumbling decrepit Delaware Court Building. Both Starbucks and Spot are on either side of Chippewa at Delaware. There appears to be a somewhat classier nightlife along the ChipStrip the street is immaculate now. The street lighting is way better than those dim old incandescent streetlights in the 70s.
Yeah they cleaned up Chippewa now main street has all the winos on it. Deweys is gone. Here's to progress.
I HAVE LIVED IN BUFFALO ALL MY LIFE I REMEMBER CHIPEWA ST. PIMPS ARGUING OVER PROSITUTES ON THIS ST
I REMEMBER FISHER WHARF GOOD TIMES BACK IN THE DAY
Wow! I really enjoyed this. Excellent! Would love to see more old Buffalo photographs!!!
Went to Hutch Tech, 69-73 walked Chippewa from Main to Elmwood 2x a day for 4 years, this was what we saw. Dino's Pizza and Subs and Dewey's Diner were favorite eateries....nice job...
i'm glad to see this, thanks for putting your photos up. i came to chippewa street in 1981, about six years after.
I recall a very big topless dancer (300 lbs., or more) who worked in one of the "clubs" along Chippewa (early 1970's) and she actually billed herself as "Tons of Fun." Well perhaps she was - I was a young teen at the time, but she was something of a "street celebrity" and we kids all knew of her. Thanks for the great post - I love exploring Buffalo's history and this brings back many memories.
Didn't she wear fishnet stockings?
Wow, there's a few memories there. Pretty rough area, but fun to hang out in when I was a kid.
Michael Fessenden We used to go to a bar that played Rolling Stones songs all night.
Brown Sugar!
Cars on Main St. -- what a concept . . .
I grew up on Chippewa St. My parents owned a flower shop on Chippewa for 60 years. My dad owned the building and would rent rooms to a variety of people. Frankie Martin was one of them. He was the MC at the Stage Door. I will never forget one renter. White fury and her twin 44's
I walked down this street twice a day from & to the Delaware bus. Nino's Pizza was THE BEST!
Nino's! Thank you! I was trying to remember the name. Definitely the best pizza.
We preferred Dino's Pizza and Subs! ;-)
I liked pizza a go go.I think it was on Fillmore ave.
My aunt and uncle lived upstairs on the second or third floor next to the House O'Quin in the 50s through mid 60s . I remember all this images so vividly .You did an excellent job capturing the reality .The bums the winos the sleazy bars .I used to sit by the window watching all the characters parade by
The GOOD OLD DAYS
Cool photos of a gritty street scape. Thanks.
Wow, Very Cool! I walked that street 2x a day from Sept 1969 to June 1973 From Main street to Hutch Tech! Big culture shock coming from a nice North Buffalo neighborhood walking past all the sights on the Chipstrip! I didn't see Dino's Pizza and Subs, Awesome!, nor Dewey's Diner across from Tech, coffee and a doughnut before school! Thanks for the video!
I also walked Chippewa St from Main St to Elmwood Ave twice a day going to Hutch Tech. 1962-1966. Dewey's Diner was there, you could buy smokes without a hassle from the machine in the entrance way. Many a day stopping for pizza after school at the place on the corner about 2/3 the way back to Main St. Bums in the store entryways were there every morning. I don't remember the "Girls, Girls, Girls" signs up when I was walking to/from school though. They must have come later. I Joined the US Air Force in 1968 and began a 21 year career. I rarely if ever got back to Buffalo.
Hey MrArtECHoke thank you SO Much for this ! I was a Bartender at the COZY BAR (1972) on Chippewa Street and use to go to the Stage Door and ALL the other GO GO Joints on that block. Your essay brings back a lot of great memories for me.
We probably met. I was there when Charlie, Nick & Others ran it. ( I worked for others) did some bartending and door work with Black Guy Teddy
Ah yes...the good old days!! My high school was at the end of this street....walked it every day !
GOOD OL' HUTCH TECH graduated in 1969..Momories bring on tears!
wow....a lot of memories hutch tech 76-80.......
I had my tech software company at 67 W Chippewa in the 2000s right above Barristers Speak easy, LEVEL nightclub was built and had access to it from my office, McMonkeez was across the hall too! Great memories, now I live Ranching in Arizona
Great vintage signage!
Wow ! I remember those day's, there was a pawn shop that I would buy my musical instrument's from. Clothes from LaRueso's and shoes from Todds .
very good photography. Bravo.
I worked at Great Lakes Optical in the Root Building. 76 - 79. It was pretty bad and one of the reason i left town. Great photos.
Mark Marzullo Mark, yes I remember Great Lakes Optical and its owner, Jerry Denz. Franwall Optical was on the 5th floor. Thanks for your reply Mark.
Nice! 1:22 Chippewa and Franklin, blast from the past!
Breathtaking, thank you for that!
Such an amazing difference now. I remember how if I was caught anywhere around there, I would have been grounded for like. Wonderful, historic pictures.
I worked at Chippewa Army Navy in 1975. I remember the wino seen at 41 seconds. It was an interesting clientele that included hookers buying knives for protection, punks buying knives so they could get picked up by the police half an hour later and winos buying an annual pair of socks. One of the interesting characters that hung around was a guy we called Durango Boots. He was the son of a wealthy Buffalo doctor, but refused to conform and preferred living in a flop house behind Chippewa Army Navy, so he wouldn't have to deal with the stress of being who he was expected to be. Another regular on the street was a businessman who had had a breakdown and ended up on the street, walking back and forth all day long, while muttering to himself. Sad but genuine. There were a lot of characters on that street.
Thanks for sharing.
Andy Battaglia I remember my brother Bill and I buying Vietnam combat boots at that Army Navy store! We used to walk down from our family business on West Ferry. After I went away to boarding school and returned to Buffalo, all my boarding school friends wanted me to take them "downtown" to see what it was all about. So I would play "tour guide". Once a drunk black guy that we got into a conversation with pulled out and displayed his switchblade for us. My boarding school friends stopped asking to go downtown. My brother later joined the Army. (Infantry, later Airborne.)
How about the guy that would go up and down the street everyday shadow boxing? I work at BUD ring co on 3rd floor around 1976
Jumping Joe Genova
@@richardstone7905 Jumpin Joe Genova
Great memory's...
Love Buffalo 💓
That was epic!!! Excellent work!
Can't believe this was a long long long long time I wasn't even born this time of the year
I remember passing through there on our way to Ryan's New Federal Pub just behind the Federal Building - the hangout for the kids from Nichols and Canisius High Schools!
FEDERAL BDLG. CONDOS NOW...
+W J Brock A hang out for us as well, back in the day. Funny you mentioned that.
Reminds me of the late 60's and Hutch Tech
Graduated in 1969..remember Deweys, wels shop, Prinipal Zefferjahn at scool auditorium where he woild stand on podium, giving speeches and pik his nose!!
Loved your video .
Thanks for this, I worked at 33 1/3 West Chippewa in 1976-77. I would come into work around 5 am when the corners were still full of pimps and prostitutes. Crazy times. Carried a piece of pipe in my belt. I remeber one prostitute holled at saying hey you want a date I said sure you buying. She went ape cussing and heading towrds me. I guess I was not too smart at 17. LOL
The old red light district!
Great images of Fisherman's Wharf 🎣 👍
omg wow i used to hang down there i was like 15th lol ,,,and wow did i see some crazy shit and pimps in pink bhaaaa there was some crazy ass people back then and wow bring back a lot's of thought's thanks for the flash backs
I miss the Buffalo Pub on Chippewa Street back in the 90s.
I moved out of Buffalo 34 years ago and I still occasionally get nightmares of me being a child, walking down Chippewa late on a Saturday night, being approached by slimy characters.
WHY WERE U ON CHIPPEWA AS A KID ON A SAT? SQUIRT SQUIRT !
Stanley Cohen In my early teens I lived on the lower west side, not far from downtown. The guys I hung out with were not what you'd call angels, and Chippewa St. beckoned with an allure all its own. We'd talk to the bums and give them some spare change. We'd check out the hookers, and Ronny Paniccia would say something stupid to them and we'd briskly walk away laughing and back slapping each other. The strip clubs always left their front doors open, and of course we'd walk by ten times just to get a glimpse of our adolescent dreams in real time. If we stopped and gawked the guy at the door would say, "Hey, you kids get otta here or I'll call the cops!" Boy, we thought, the nerve of the guy, calling us, kids. Didn't he realize we were thirteen and fourteen years old? Why, Danny Delaney alone was almost fifteen.
I guess every guy had a Chippewa Street in his young life. Seeing the seedy side of things gave us a better perspective of what life was all about.
Giuseppe Alagna LMAO , BRAVO !
Giuseppe Alagna 'llp o
Excellent 🌞
First thread I red entirely. Now I have to thank you twice for an excellent video. Best Wishes & Continued Success Gp
I used to walk along this street once or twice a day from (1976-1981) when I lived at the Shoreline Apts. and went to grad school at Roswell Park.
LAST WHITE MAN FROM SHORELINE.
I wish you could have gotten a picture of the red devil bar. my uncle lived above it and frequently got in fights and subsequently arrested. my mother bailed him ot many times the place is legendary
My father's shop was in the Root Building. I spent many years down there.
What was the name of the company your father owned?
Mr. Taylor, I also spent many years working in the Root Building, on the 5th floor. Please let me know which company your father had, we perhaps ran into each other.
Red light district back in the day. I grew up in the Old First Ward, about two miles away. We we’re allowed anywhere around Chippewa. LOL
The Ruff Buff was just Poppen, back in the Day.
Hooker heaven back in the day.. Wouldn't recognize it today.
WOW, f'n awesome photos!
Seems like we got close to Chippewa in the late 70's when we attended concerts at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. We lived out in the country about 35 miles away so it seemed kind of scary when we were younger.
Russel Jay I remember a Bob Segar concert, he ended saying CAT MAN DO GOODNIGHT EVERYBODY, also Areosmith, Neil Young, I went to Buffalo Braves games & Sabres, then in 80s got Bills season tickets. How about those concerts at Bills Stadium 4 every summer Those were crazy times with hardly any Security.
alvays stoped at mikes submarines on a saturyday night after hangin out at Mvans in blackrock
My cittyyy
My step father (Doug) owned Dewey's Diner at 166 W. Chippewa (across from Hutch-tech) for many many years.My mom Sharon and I also worked there.TONS of memories of the customers. In fact, one of them was crazy Mr. Pierce. He was so grumpy, but used to make me laugh with the things he'd do!* a relative Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.
Great Coffee
This is a wonderful video showing Chippewa Street in the bad old days of the 1970s when it was grimy, rundown and rife with drugs, degenerates, and prostitution. The street itself was also a deteriorated mess with rough pavement and the sidewalks were broken up and always littered with glass, trash, used condoms and other lovely little items that you would find on skid row.
remember some of those people on Chippewa. HT 1976/1980
Wow, the old timers were tell in' the truth about Chippewa in the '70's. There is a public. School on this street now. I work there!! Really enjoyed these photographs!!
Wow i was only around 16 but it was the danger zone, I loved it! Utica Club at The House O'Quinn.
+Tommy Sikora house of o'quinn was the sleaziest dive ive ever been in
it should have been in a museum of sleaze
"Oh brew me no brews with artificial bubbles, those lousy brews of today. Cause Utica Club......."
Dark beer blows away crappy yellow fizzy beer of yesteryear.
to bad i didn't see the bar called nick's on busti ave been looking for it but no luck again thanks for the video wow glad i came across it ...i thought i see pimp with big pink hats lmao
Thanx for the photo flashback, I actually spent some time running the streets down there (had to be about 1971 I think?) as a runaway and in Allen Town (?), lived close by on West Side, and knew some shady low budget gangster types, ran some numbers, shined shoes, etc ... I could tell some stories though. The guy @ 2:47 wearing cut off shorts dark t-shirt and longer dark hair, I believe I knew him ... if it is ... he was a native American dude name Joe (aka Indian Joe) and was into alot of shady activities ... Wow ... this really brought back some memories though. Today I live in Dallas, married, kids, grandkids and the rest.
Ranch Chimp Journal
+Thomas Pickering Thomas, I enjoyed your comment, and would like to find a way to get in touch with you and discuss The Chippewa Street area. I spent many hours on that street and I'm sure we knew the same people. cwhahn07@yahoo.com
+MrArtEChoke Hey Art! (I knew a guy named Art too down there, actually Art Trott) ... Maybe you knew Eddie Stein too? ... tall white dude that used to sell them rings/ jewelry, and done some pimping as well ... Eddie was into everything, and went back and forth working nearby Toronto as well. How about Davie Kerr? Or Joe Clark, originally from Queens/ NYC who was known on the street as 'Junkie Joe' ... SOB probably got killed all the people he burned {:- ) Remember that Chicago Style Smoke Shop ... that was a gambling and brothel type front. How about 'Angel' (Eddie Rogers ... he also rode with the 'Savage Ones' biker club)? ... Carmen Loster? .... My snail mailing address, email address and home phone is on my blog too, along with my photo, even though I dont look the same today as back in the day. Are you still in Buffalo? I still have familia there around Casanova(spelling?) Park, Mount Vernon Street ... but I havent been there in years, and at that time I stayed around Black Rock too.
Ranch Chimp Journal/ blogspot
You're full of shit
Ever wonder how you made it, when so many didn't. I do
Part of me saying Jay wait and watch the whole thing before I come in but I got to say this I noticed it still buildings from late 1800 + 1900 still present in the picture s
Bob;
Was the flower shop "Forget-Me-Not". Who was your father. I remember them as I worked across the street in the Root Building.
Thanks again for your comment.
Now they brought that area all back to life part of this for progress is positive but the gentrification isn't
Phenomenal!! A+++++++++
My friend used to bartend at Ciros. Remember going there once with my sister-in-law, not knowing it was a strip joint. This was in the middle afternoon, what a riot!
First time I went to Ciro's was 60"s no strippers, suits and ties mostly as I remember
wow, brings back memories....my Dad had B.U.D. Ring at 75 1/2 W. Chippewa. i worked there from 15 to 18 yrs. old. i remember getting lunch for the guys at the drug store on the corner, walking to the post office, getting propositioned by pimps, seeing the poor winos in the parking lot.... don't know why i wasn't scared. i would be now.
Hey girl, I worked there for your dad . I thought it was 33 1/3 W. Chippewa. 76-77
And WKBW held it all together...... The Action News at : 15 and :45.
Looks much diffrent but idk how much nicer...
Chippewa was much more than this video.
My late father and I would walk down that street after we. got to Buffalo as he WORK on the railroad and the one thing. I remember him saying that was the street was the street of broken dreams
Ronald Mann. Thank you for the note Ron!
Used to go to The Fisherman's Wharf in the early seventies, great times. Girls would dance on a boat shaped stage behind the bar. Got to know the owner Leonard Elerstein while drinking 151 and Coke. The area was alive!!
Had many a breakfast with him after closing and the other kid Bobby Veltri
Like this vid fun comparing present to past wish it was the 70s
Hi...i...was...so...happy.
To...
Find
This...tape...im...one..of..the..dancers..that..worked..the..clubs..on..chippawa...im..so..happy..to..come..across..it...you..know..that...street..took..a..bad..rap..it..was..not...everbody..down..there..watched...over..you...they...were..my...family..i..hope...some..other..dancers...see..this...so..i..could..get..in..touch..with..them....cosy...stage..door..frankie..martin..i..worked..for...the..fishermans..war.....ceicos...my..spelling..not..to..good...talk..latter...lynda..and..sheba...10000000..wags
Lynda, I would like to chat with you regarding your time on Chippewa. Please reply back to me at cwhahn07@yahoo.com regards,
Charlie H
@@MrArtEChoke hi..lynda.i..see..you..saw..my..tex
@@MrArtEChoke.i..only..tex..i..dont..know..how..to..use..all..that..stuff
Giv
Give...me..your..phone..number..thats..the..only..way
Really liked the photo essay check out the play" Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick" I saw it performed by a small local theater company in Ukiah Ca. a few years ago it was great reminded me of my youth
If those sidewalks could talk the tales they could tell. Well done and thanks.
I joined the Army in 1975 and left Buffalo, never to return! Nice video though.
h8 potus I’ve joined the U.S.Army in August 3, 1977 & honorably discharged in February 3, 1983. I’ living in Williamsville, NY right now & it is sad that Alcoholic Anonymous longtimers were brutal toward these drunks with no compassion. They all passed away being dead drunk with no care of this world. In January 15, 1987 - January 15, 1990 in the U.S.Army National Guard @ Connecticut Street Armory. Chippewa ended the old era of hookers, pimps, & drunks. Now Chippewa real estate has improved 90%, but still fancy bars are there to help with the City Hall Budget. People still drinks with this New Generation of drug addicts & drunks.
after a nite of partying in Allen town,ny, we would go to Chippewa st to see the prostitutes ,they would come up to the car and put their hands in the crotch area and cop a feel and the hand would feel your pocket for the cash,this is 4am in the morn ,this street was very dangerous back in77,78,topless bars ,pimps on the corners,we had the liquid courage goin on and felt no fear back then,was a big shoot out at the warf one year early on and it was boarded up back then,good times but stupid now i think about it
See White House Black Market is why we should do our mall shopping down town. Maybe JD Telegraph Train Station can be that.
Really nice.
I've walked up and down this street many times.Chippewa was known mostly for prostitution,bars and strip clubs.I left buffalo for Houston at the age of 17,immediately after the blizzard of 77.Aint been back since.Still consider it home though.
Does anyone know the name of the first song?
phillip chmiel clocks by Coldplay
Buffalo ......😊🏈🏒⛸⛷
Infamous Chippewa Street, Bflo, NY
Lynn R. Remember Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step Program!😔😟🙁☹️😕😢😭😞😱😰😥😨😓🤥😪🧖🏽♂️🧖🏼♀️🌫🍺🍻🥂🍷🥃🍸🍹💸🇺🇸
Awesome! May i use some of the footage?
Hi Loyd, what would you like to do?
@@MrArtEChoke I am a musician who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and lived on (Meech Street) down the street from Canisius. I am a musician along with my friend namely, Billy Nunn. I am pretty sure that you heard of him and he played on some of Rick Jame's albums. His brother is Bobby Nunn who was also a motown artist who had a hit entitled: "SHE'S JUST A GROUPIE". I am doing a video on Billy Nunn and saw that some of your footage would work for this particular project. I would be sure to kindly give you credit for this. I will wait on your reponce and thank you.
@@MrArtEChoke I am a musician who was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and lived on (Meech Street) down the street from Canisius. I am a musician along with my friend namely, Billy Nunn. I am pretty sure that you heard of him and he played on some of Rick Jame's albums. His brother is Bobby Nunn who was also a motown artist who had a hit entitled: "SHE'S JUST A GROUPIE". I am doing a video on Billy Nunn and saw that some of your footage would work for this particular project. I would be sure to kindly give you credit for this. I will wait on your reponce and thank you.
Sure use whatever you would like. If you could use better quality images just let me know. The Buffalo history museum is exhibiting some of these at this time, check it out. Third Friday of each month is free to get in.
From now on I wouldn’t mind using email, cwhahn07@yahoo.com
Regards
hahnphoto.net/chippewa
Talkin' Proud!
looks better in the 70s...what do i know i was still in the cosmos for another 5 years in 72
I went to Hutch Tech graduated in 1976. Took the Main St bus and walked the plank everyday. Mr. Radice lived in our neighborhood had a strip club down there. I will never forget one old wino in a wheelchair, lost his legs probably a WWII veteran, he would sleep in doorways in the dead of a Buffalo winter with a wool suit jacket with a sweater underneath. Couple years later didn't see him anymore....The drugged out Indians/native americans were really crazy......
Any chance a Diana Lama went to Hutch Tech while you were there? She would have graduated in '75. Thanks!
Richie was a good guy never turned anyone away tried to help the less forunate. Wife was a peach too. Followed them to next place at Main and Virgina til I left
The 8 main!
Like a little mini Times Square
ive done refrigeration work at ceroes toples bar in the 70s gitls would walk around topless &say hi bri
for kicks useto yell at the hookers
Never should have changed the name of House O'Quinn. Doesn't get much more majestic or Buffalo than that. "Brinks"? Does anyone care what is there now?
Any idea who the Rolls Royce belonged to ?
yep
Charlie Cina
Yea, so in 1984 my friends and I went downtown to see if we could buy some (The) Police concert tix, We couldn't afford $200 for 4. (No shit- in 1984) So we slipped into this sleazy strip club- no one batted an eye. We certainly were not all of age. Good ol' days right ?
Hi Mike I was at that concert as well. Merry Christmas!
at the time me and my friends used to ride our bikes down there. what a sight for a 14teen year old whores fighting each other over johns strippers you can look but don't touch porno book stores and odd balls of all sorts. all in good fun lol
Breezy pawnshop.