An Urban Explorer's Guide to the Buffalo-Niagara Region: Unique Landmarks, Historic Gin Mills, Old World Neighborhoods, History, Nickel City Oddities, Tours and More!
TOUR GERMAN BUFFALO WITH FORGOTTEN BUFFALO Fruit Belt, Schiller Park, Pine Hill & More!
The 2000 recent census reported that 14% of Western New Yorkers claimed German heritage, making themselves the largest single ethnic group in the region! Forgotten Buffalo celebrates Western New York's German History as we explore why German immigrants became one of Buffalo’s most prosperous ethnic groups in the areas of brewing, flour milling, meat-packing industries, banking and politics. Along the way, we will visit authentic taverns, unique sites, a former private German club and historic churches built by Buffalo's German community. Prost!
Forgotten Buffalo at St. Ann's Church on Broadway. Germans from Bavaria founded this parish in 1858. Click image to learn more (history byJames Napora)
Forgotten Buffalo at the CONCORDIA CEMETERY. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Buffalo, created in 1858 by German immigrants. The cemetery was shared between three German churches: St. Peters, Trinity Lutheran, and St. Stephens. This nonprofit cemetery fell on hard times in 2001 and is now under the control of a non-profit association.
St. Ann's is perhaps the most European of all the religious buildings in the city. Deeply rooted in the European building tradition, it is a testament to the will of the German immigrants who built it.
Blessed Trinity Church was built mainly for German Catholics in 1907. It's located in an area long ago referred to as the Valley of Tears or the Valley of Woe, the Jammer-thal district remains a testament to the strong will and desires of a hardened group of German. Click image to learn more (history byJames Napora)
During our tour, you’ll be asked to join in the traditional German drinking chant of “Ein Prosit.” If celebrating Oktoberfest in Munich, you would hear this shout every :15 mins as it is get revelers to finish their current drink and to purchase a refill. “Prosit" in its Latin root literally means "may it benefit you," and acts as German for “Cheers” & “Toast.” “Gemütlichkeit” has no direct translations. Germans will tell you it represents a “good cheerful feeling,” one that you might have spending an evening with friends at the village beer garden. These are unhurried and leisure moments to be cherished.
Ein Prosit, ein PrositDer Gemütlichkeit! Ein Prosit, ein PrositDer Gemütlichkeit! Prosit, Prosit, Pro o-o sit! Eins, Zwei, Drei, Zuppa! Zigge-Zagga-Zigge-Zagga Hoy, Hoy, Hoy! Zigge-Zagga-Zigge-Zagga Hoy, Hoy, Hoy! Prosit!
Jerry Scharf serves up a pint! Tucked away in one of Buffalo’s oldest German neighborhoods near Schiller Park, this charming restaurant serves the Vaterland's most widely known dishes. The wienerschnitzel, sauerbraten, and rouladen rival those of any modest old-world restaurant. The lunch and dinner menus also list Limburger sandwiches, bratwurst and a wide selection of American entrées, but go in search of the classics. Frau Scharf and family do not disappoint. All entrées are served with a choice of knödl (dumpling), spätzle (thick German egg noodles) or potato, including hot potato pancakes served with applesauce and sour cream. Be sure to try a Hefe Weisse or another of the specialty beers on the menu to help transport you and your taste buds thousands of miles away. Scharf’s has been a fixture in Buffalo since 1967, offering fine and authentic German cooking. Founder Margaret Scharf’s family once owned the famous Trodil’s Restaurant on Olympic Street. Scharf left Germany shortly after World War II.
