This vintage postcard shows Main Street in Buffalo, New York in 1940 in stunning and vibrant colors. The view is looking north from the civic center to the Theatre District of downtown Buffalo.
Although, Main Street runs all the way out to Williamsville today, at the time of this old postcard, what would have been considered Main Street in downtown Buffalo ran from Goodell Street to the Buffalo River. Within this two mile area are three separate centers: the Theater District in the north, the civic and commercial center around Niagara and Lafayette Squares, and the Waterfront area at the south end.
If you had your car parked on the Buffalo Main Street of 1940 as shown in this postcard, was it a Dodge Deluxe Luxury Liner 2 door sedan with 87 HP motor? Or, was it a Ford Tudor Sedan?
Today, the two mile stretch of Buffalo’s downtown Main Street still holds the three centers of activity, but the Waterfront area has changed from shipping and industry to a recreation and waterfront living area for Buffalonians.
This image of Main Street in Buffalo from the 1940s is also part of our Vintage Buffalo, NY Wall Calendar created from this and other vintage postcards of Buffalo.