At a meeting of the Buffalo Chapter of the Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution at the Buffalo Club in April 1900, a committee was appointed to cooperate with committees from other patriotic and historic societies to consider a plan to locate monuments to commemorate historical events along the Niagara Frontier.

Committees were formed by the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution, Buffalo Historical Society, Society of the War of 1812, Society of Colonial Wars, Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, the Men's Club of Lewiston and the Niagara Frontier Historical Society.

From these origins grew the Niagara Frontier Landmarks Association. The report of its Committee on Sites was published by the Buffalo Historical Society in 1902 and the following sites within the City of Buffalo were considered to be of more than local significance. Only six of the twenty-eight sites are presently marked.

"On Buffalo Creek, some three or four miles from its mouth, the first Seneca Indian villages were established during the Revolutionary War, refugees settling there in 1779-80, after Sullivan's raid had destroyed their old homes in the Genesee Valley. In this neighborhood was built a council house, at which councils and treaties of national importance were held. Associated with it are the names of Young King, Farmer's Brother, Red Jacket, and other Indian celebrities. Your committee knows at present of no data by which to fix the exact location of this council house. If its site should hereafter become known, the spot merits a memorial tablet."

"Of considerable local interest in this vicinity is the well-known site of the Seneca Mission Church, built 1826, abandoned 1843, and gradually destroyed during succeeding years. Indian Church Road now runs through the old churchyard and near the site of the building. Near by were the original graves of Red Jacket and other chiefs, and of Mary Jamison. Their historic bones were long since removed to other resting places - Mary Jamison to Portage in 1874, the chiefs to Forest Lawn in 1884 and 1894; but the site still remains, somewhat encroached upon, it is true, but unobliterated as yet, the empty graves still shaded by fine large walnuts and oaks. The acquisition by the city of this little plot of historic ground, and its incorporation into the Park system, would seem the ideal way to preserve its ancient landmarks from early obliteration. In any event, the site of the early graves should be accurately marked."

"Of even greater interest is the Seneca Mission House on Buffum Street. Built prior to 1831, it is still in good preservation, with heavy hewn black walnut beams that bid fair to withstand the tooth of time for many a year to come. In this house, from 1831 to 1844, dwelt the Rev. Asher Wright, missionary to the Senecas, and his gifted and devoted wife. Here, in 1839, was set up the Mission Press, on which, in the Seneca language, from specially made type, were printed portions of the Scriptures, hymnals, spelling books, a Seneca lexicon - this, at least, was begun - and a periodical, the Mental Elevator, in the Seneca tongue. This report is not the place to dwell upon the importance of the work of Mr. and Mrs. Wright. The publication feature alone of their varied labors is remarkable enough, as scholars of Indian linguistics have abundantly testified, to merit commemoration. It is suggested that a tablet or monument at the Mission House might bear not only an inscription in memory of the Wrights, but could record briefly the fact that in the vicinity formerly stood the Council House, the exact site not being known."

"It is probable that the exact site of Red Jacket's log house, somewhere in this vicinity, can yet be ascertained."

"In the list of sites of merely local interest the first white settler's house will be expected. That distinction is awarded to the house erected by Cornelius Winne in 1789, on what is now the east side of Washington Street, at the head of Quay Street."

"More worthy of commemoration is the first schoolhouse, built in 1807-8 on the west side of Pearl Street, just below Swan. It was burned Dec. 30, 1813. The site is now occupied by the Dun Building, which offers a substantial wall for the affixing of a tablet."

"The first house for religious worship erected in Buffalo stood on the west side of Pearl Street, a short distance south of Niagara Street; just how far south is, so far as your committee's researches have discovered, a matter of doubt, but the weight of evidence indicates that the spot is now covered by Shea's Garden Theater. The church was begun Dec. 18, 1818, and was dedicated Jan. 24, 1819. Prior to this date, religious worship was held in dwelling houses, and, by the Presbyterians, in a carpenter shop at the northeast corner of Main and Huron streets."

"The only dwelling house in Buffalo which was spared at the burning, Dec. 30-31, 1813, had been built by Gamaliel St. John, beginning Jan. 24, 1810, on Inner Lot 53 of the Holland Land Company's survey. This was on the west side of Main Street, nearly midway between Mohawk and Court streets. The middle part of the Becker building, occupied by the H.A. Meldrum Co., covers the site."

"The Public Library building offers a sightly wall for a tablet commemmorative of the fact that approximately that site was occupied by the first court house in Niagara County, built 1810, burned 1813; and by the second court house, built 1817, abandoned March 11, 1876, and soon after demolished - Buffalo being the county seat of Niagara County until 1821, when Erie County was erected. The site that for over 60 years was the center for the administration of justice on the American side of the Niagara may appropriately be marked for the edification of later generations."

"Lafayette Square may well contain a tablet to inform the public of the more notable events in its history. In front of the Eagle Tavern, west side of Main Street, now Nos. 418 and 420 - just south of Court Street - Gen. Lafayette was presented to the public by Gen. Porter, the public reception resulting in the present name of the square. In this square, among other celebrities, at different times, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and Kossuth, have spoken; and here, in 1848, the National Free Soil party nominated Van Buren and Adams - the only national political convention ever held in Buffalo."

"The former home of Millard Fillmore, on Niagara Square, might suitably bear a plate to inform the stranger that here resided, after his retirement from office, till his death in 1874, a President of the United States, to whom the country is indebted, among other things, for cheap postage, the enlargement of the National Capitol, and the Perry treaty which opened Japan to the world."

"No events in the history of Buffalo have had a greater effect upon her development than the first improvement of the harbor and the extension hither of the Erie Canal. The man who was chiefly intstrumental in bringing about these events was Judge Samuel Wilkeson; and two sites are particularly associated with his memory; the entrance to the harbor which he helped to create, and the Wilkeson homestead on Niagara Square."

"The Niagara River front, from the Terrace to Black Rock, has several sites of interest, especially in connection with the War of 1812. There was a battery, which saw but little service, on the Terrace."

"Another battery overlooked the Niagara from the edge of the bluff at the foot of Vermont Street, the actual site utterly obliterated by the construction of the Erie Canal, but now overlooked from the Front, most nearly approached a short distance south of the memorial to the 13th U.S. Infantry."

"Still another battery was on the high bank just south of the foot of Massachusetts Street, and within the limits of the present Fort Porter. As in the case of the battery just mentioned, it is probable that the construction of the Erie Canal, and later of the railroad, left only empty air where formerly was this defensive work; but the edge of the bluff, at the point indicated, is the nearest approach thereto, on the old level. No place in Buffalo commands a finer view; a point of popular resort, a tablet at this point would be seen by thousands and add the historic to the present scenic interest."

"The exact site of the stone keep of Fort Porter - a part of the walls of which are still standing, a few feet under the present parade ground - should not be lost."

"Appropriate, too, would be some permanent reminder of the barracks that, from 1838 up to the Mexican War, perhaps even later, stood on the tract bounded by Main, North, Delaware and Allen streets, and filled a prominent part in the military and social life of Buffalo." [This barracks is briefly mentioned on the marker located on Delaware Avenue in front of the Wilcox Mansion.]

"Perhaps the point of greatest historic interest on the upper Niagara is the site of the old ferry, in use at least as early as Revolutionary times, and by means of which thousands of the first settlers in Michigan and the Middle West passed to their destination. This ferry was at the famous black rock, which gives its name to the village. The rock itself was destroyed in the construction of the Erie Canal. It was an out-crop of the local limestone, some 200 or 300 feet long, extending, a natural wharf, into the river at a point approximately opposite the south line of the street railway company's buildings, west side of Niagara Street below the junction of Front Avenue. The abandoned Fort Street marked the approach to it."

"Fort Tompkins, otherwise Fort Adams, a defensive work of considerable importance during the War of 1812, occupied ground now covered by the southern portion of the street railway company's buildings, on the site above defined."

"A third battery of the 1812 period, adjoined on the south the foot of Gull Street, most of the site now occupied by a factory. A cannon, found here a few years ago, when excavations were made for the foundations of the factory, is now mounted in Lafayette Park."

"More important yet was the Sailors' Battery, at the south angle of the Niagara and the Scajaquada Creek. The site, for many recent years occupied by buildings of the Shepard Iron Works, is now bare, surrounded by a high fence, and forms part of the yard of a gas tank. It is the least accessible and most important of the batteries of that period in the limits of Buffalo."

"To the east of the present Niagara Street bridge, on the south bank of the Scajaquada, is the site of the old Black Rock shipyard. Here a part of Perry's fleet was fitted out for the battle of Lake Erie. Here, or on the Niagara River side, in 1818, was built the Walk-in-the-Water, the first steamboat on the lakes; and here were built many of the most famous steamboats that followed her, and many canal boats - of the old packet type - prior to 1840. Near by is the site of a blockhouse, built in 1808."

"That neighborhood has abundance of historic association, none, however, of greater interest than the battle which was fought at the bridge over the Scajaquada, on Aug. 3, 1814. Early in the morning of that day a force of British under Lieut.-Col. Tucker of the 41st British Line, with the design of capturing Buffalo and destroying the stores, arms, and supplies there, attacked the American forces at Scajaquada Creek, at the bridge, a rod or so to the west of where Niagara Street now crosses the creek. The American forces were loosely entrenched on the south bank of the creek, and consisted of the First Battalion of the First Regiment, commaned by Majaor Morgan, with a small number os scattered auxiliaries. The Americans had partially removed the roadway of the bridge. The first assault of the British failed after severe fighting, and a second and very daring attempt was made by the British to repair the bridge under fire; this attempt also failed. After a short delay a third and final assualt was made at the bridge, and also about 200 feet above the bridge, which, after more severe fighting, was finally repulsed, and the British retreated to the Canadian side. The total number of men engaged on the British side was 1,200 and on the American side not more than 350. The conflict was sharp, bloody, and, on account of the disparity of numbers, especially creditable to the American forces, although very great gallantry was displayed by the British, especially in the ssecond assault. This battle saved the supplies at Buffalo, disheartened the British, encouraged the Americans, and indirectly aided in the final victory at Fort Erie. It is, therefore, worthy in all respects of a proper commemorative tablet. It is suggested that a tablet affixed to the present iron bridge migh record the battle of Black Rock, with allusions to the Sailors' Battery on the one hand and the old shipyard and blockhouse on the other."

"But most storied in associations, of all spots on the river front in Buffalo, is the Porter House, below Ferry Street, the most historic building in the city. Erected in 1816 by Gen. Peter B. Porter, it is today, not the oldest, but the best house of its age, in Buffalo. Gen. Porter occupied it until 1836, among his guests being Gen. Lafayette, John Quincy Adams, DeWitt Clinton, and other distinguished men, including Red Jacket, and every prominent Indian of the vicinity. Passing into the hands of Lewis F. Allen, it continued for many years a house of distinguished hospitality. Mr. Allen's guests included Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Gen. Scott, Gen. McComb, and others not less famous; and a member of his household for a time was his nephew, Grover Cleveland, Buffalo's second President of the United States. Shorn of much of its surrounding estate, first by the construction of the canal, then of the railroad, and later by the sale of land for buildings, the house still stands by itself apart, the embodiment of more Niagara Frontier history than any other structure in Buffalo. It gives distinction to the city which no modern structure could supply. It should be preserved. The observation is ventured that the acquisition - or even the lease - of this house by one or more of our patriotic societies, and the dedication of it to commemorative uses, would be, however unpractical, an ideal way of memorializing the place."

"About two blocks north of the Porter House, or one block beyond the building which was the Breckenridge Street Church (the oldest building erected for a church now standing in the city), is the scene of the heavy fighting in the first battle of Black Rock. On July 11, 1813, the British made their first attempt to capture Black Rock and Buffalo. Cols. Bishop and Warren, with 250 men, crossed the river, landed below Squaw Island, marched to the Navy Yard on the Scajaquada and occupied it before they were discovered. They burned the barracks and blockhouse there, and the barracks at Fort Tompkins. Maj. Adams, in command at Black Roc, sent to Buffalo for reinforcements. One hundred regulars, under Capt. Cummings, the same number of militia under Maj. Adams, 30 volunteers from Buffalo Plains, under Capt. Hull; Capt. Bull's company from Buffalo, and 30 Indians led by Farmer's Brother, met the enemy in line near Fort Tompkins, the present site of the Street Railway Company's power house. After sharp fighting the English gave way, and retreated to their boats, the Americans pursuing; the heaviest fighting taking place just south of Auburn Avenue, near Mason Street. The English lost about 100 killed, wounded and missing, and 15 prisoners. The American loss was three killed and five wounded, among the latter being the Seneca chief Young King. This engagement might be mentioned on a tablet commemorative of Fort Tompkins, placed in the wall of the Street Railway Co.'s building; or at the Porter house, which stands on ground fought over. Mason Street, mentioned above, is an obscure, picturesque little street one block long, from Breckenridge to Auburn, between Niagara Street and the New York Central Railroad."

"Before leaving Buffalo, it may be remarked that although the business of this report is with sites and not with people, yet any project of historic commemoration in Buffalo would be conspicuously incomplete which gave no thought to Joseph Ellicott. The generous tract of land which he reserved for himself was bounded by Eagle, Swan and Main streets, running east to what is now Jefferson Street. The name of the founder of the city is preserved to us in Ellicott Square, the office building on a part of the above-named tract; and in the name of a street. The Goodrich house, built in 1823 or '24, near the northeast corner of Main and High streets, was begun by Mr. Ellicott, and he occupied it a short time in 1825. Removed by Mr. John C. Glenny, nearly 20 years ago, to Amherst Street, it still stands there, one of Buffalo's most beautiful houses, and the only one in the city directly associated with the founder of Buffalo. Ellicott Square makes the name familiar; upon it, or within it, an inscription might suitably be placed. The ideal memorial, in addition thereto, would be a statue of Joseph Ellicott in the center of the court."

"Before leaving Buffalo and passing down the river it is well to note that Buffalo Plains, especially that portion of it known as Flint Hill, has many associations connected with the War of 1812. The original graves of the soldiers now buried in the well-marked grave in the Park meadow, were not far from the banks of the Scajaquada, on the old Granger place."