Central Terminal, Buffalo NY

Like Buffalo's City Hall the New York Central's Art Deco Central Terminal reflects the unconstrained optimism of the late 1920's. The terminal opened in 1929 and at its peak saw 200 trains per day, however by 1956 (a year after the opening of the New York Thruway) rail traffic had declined to the extent that the railroad attempted to sell the terminal. By the time Amtrak took over passenger rail service in the USA the terminal was in need of a rehab and Amtrak opted to use a smaller Buffalo station instead. Eventually it was sold in a tax auction (for $100,000) to a would-be developer who stripped the building of any artifacts of value. (One Art Deco lamp was advertised by a high-end Toronto antique dealer at an asking price of $9,000). Today the building is owned by a nonprofit and there are hopes that it will yet be restored, and indeed Toronto's Harry Stintson will reportedly be taking on the task. In the meantime visitors are asked to stay away in order that the Peregrine Falcons which have made the terminal their home will not be disturbed.