Tonawanda was a major industrial town between Buffalo and Niagara Falls and at one point, it was the largest lumber shipping point in the United States. The village and town of Tonawanda are located in Erie County while the neighboring North Tonawanda is in Niagara County. Given the proximity of the two, they are often referred to as “The Tonawandas.”
The main railroads in Tonawanda were the Erie Railroad (highlighted in green on the map above), the New York Central Railroad (highlighted in blue). The Lehigh Valley Railroad (highlighted in red) had a branch that ran from Niagara Junction east of Buffalo to a connection with the New York Central Railroad in North Tonawanda.
An 1887 guide to the Erie Railroad described Tonawanda as:
This is an important village, situated on the banks of the Niagara River and both sides of the Tonawanda Creek at its mouth. It has a good harbor, and, being situated on the Erie Canal, quite a large amount of lumber and grain is here received and shipped eastward by the canal and railroads. It is the western terminus of the Canandaigua and Niagara Falls branch of the New York Central Railroad, which here connects with Buffalo and Niagara Falls branch of the same road.
Tonawanda is one of many places that narrowly escaped greatness. It was originally fixed upon for the western terminus of the Erie Canal. Buffalo finally secured the terminus, and with it, prosperity and greatness. Tonawanda, however, has a side cut for a river-lock, and an elevator, as well as a considerable lumber trade and some manufactures. The Indian name, is said to signify “At the Rapids.”
A 1908 history of the Erie Railroad, “Between the Ocean and the Lakes,” described Tonawanda:
TONAWANDA, Erie Co., N. Y. From New York, 432 miles; Buffalo, 13. Early settlement. Population, 7,500. Lumber-trade centre and manufacturing. On Niagara River and at mouth of Tonawanda Creek. Opposite Grand Island. 1 1 churches ; high school ; 7 district schools ; 2 newspapers ; 2 banks. Terminus of Lockport Branch. Also on Canandaigua and Niagara Falls Branch of New York Central Railroad.
New York Central Railroad – Tonawanda
The New York Central’s passenger station in the village of Tonawanda was in a triangle of land bounded by Main Street, Grove Street, and Fletcher Street. The station still stands and is the home of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas.
Originally, the New York Central ran on Main Street in Tonawanda and Webster Street in North Tonawanda. Over time, this became impractical. Long freight trains and frequent passenger trains clogged the many crossings and train speeds were reduced as they ran down the streets. In 1917 work was initiated to relocate the Central’s tracks from the city streets and move it the east where the line connected to the company’s Batavia branch.
After the track relocation project was completed, passenger train service was discontinued to this station on June 11, 1922. The building was used as an American Legion Post, a temporary school house and a public library. In 1964 the library relocated and the building was turned over to the Historical Society for use as a museum.
Erie Railroad – North Tonawanda
The Erie Railroad’s “Tonawanda” combined freight and passenger station was served by trains on the Niagara Falls Branch and Lockport Branch. The station was located north of Goundry Street between Vendervoort and Oliver Streets in North Tonawanda.
The station still stands and is the home of the Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier, operated by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society (NRHS).
Station Photos
Other Photos
Niagara Falls Branch Timetables
Lockport Branch Timetables
New York Central Railroad – North Tonawanda
North Tonawanda was the junction of three separate New York Central branches. The Niagara Falls branch ran north from Buffalo to Niagara Falls and Suspension Bridge. The Lockport branch ran east from Tonawanda to Lockport, NY. The Batavia branch ran west from Batavia to Tonawanda.
The passenger station, freight station, and yards in North Tonawanda were located north of Goundry Street between Oliver and Main Streets, as shown in the map above.
Timetables
Learn More
- Great Railroad Stations, Tonawanda, New York. Article by John C. Dahl from the Railroad Station Historical Society about the New York Central station in Tonawanda.
- New York Central and Hudson River Railroad, Tonawanda, New York. Article on the Historical Society of the Tonawandas web site largely drawn from John Dahl’s article linked above. The society is housed in the former New York Central station.