Our April meeting, held at Eugene V. Debs Hall, featured returning speaker Chris Hawley, who presented The Buffalo Belt Line: Hidden in Plain Sight. This engaging program explored how a largely overlooked railroad system played a central role in shaping Buffalo’s industrial growth and the development of its Polish communities.

Chris introduced the New York Central Belt Line, completed in 1883 (with some segments dating back to 1836), as one of the most consequential infrastructure projects in Buffalo’s history. He positioned it alongside Joseph Ellicott’s street grid and Frederick Law Olmsted’s park system as a defining force in the city’s physical development—yet one that remains “hidden in plain sight.”

The presentation connected this historic rail system to the growth of Buffalo’s Polish neighborhoods, offering valuable context for understanding where—and why—ancestors lived, worked, and built their communities.

Attendees shared enthusiastic feedback, including:

“The presentation will help me be aware of how my ancestors lived and worked in the late 1800s, early 1900s.”

“Some of my ancestors worked in some of these businesses.”

“My grandparent lived on the West Side and probably commuted via the Belt Line to Larkin Company where she was employed.”

“What I enjoyed most was learning something new. I had never heard of the Belt Line so the presentation was very informative.”

“The maps.”

If you missed the meeting—or would like to revisit the insights Chris shared—the recording is now available for members on our Meeting Recordings page.

Not a member yet? Join the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State to access this and our full library of recorded presentations.