Rebecca here–happy to highlight the work of Rust Belt photographer Johnny Joo, who captures the remains and the history of historic landmarks–like Buffalo, New York’s Central Terminal, an art-deco jewel of an old train station.
I have a soft spot for Buffalo, the Rust Belt city near where my mom was raised and where much of her side still lives. If our winters in Cleveland were tough (and they were), winters in Buffalo were tougher. This seemed to increase not only my relatives’ struggles, there, but their grit to overcome them, along with their infectious wit and humor to laugh through them.
Joo’s type of photography is called “Abandonment Photography,” but by recalling these places, he resurrects them, in a way, as he resurrects wonderful memories for me. Certainly, this Buffalo landmark should not be forgotten, and I will follow its story, as the city around it is enjoying a renaissance.
Joo reports, “In October of 2017, the World Monuments Fund selected Central Terminal as part of it’s 2018 World Monument Watch List – one of only two selections from the United States, and one of 25 selections total.”
Updates on the restoration of Buffalo’s art-deco train station can be found here: buffalocentralterminal.org.
Are there any architectural landmarks that have been forgotten in your town? Anyone doing the hard work of resurrecting them?
Buffalo’s Central Terminal was an active train station from 1929-1979. The structure was built in Art Deco style, designed by architects Fellheimer & Wagner for the New York Central Railroad. The main building stands 15 stories (271 feet) tall. The station had sat abandoned and almost forgotten for years, but with the incredible work of an amazing preservation group, new life has been brought back through this incredible piece of Buffalo history. Most of the photos shown below show the derelict, decaying areas of the former station. I will update this piece later with photos from inside the area undergoing renovation.
Abandoned East Central Station Buffalo New York
Abandoned East Central Station Buffalo New York
Construction of the station took place from 1925-1929. By the late 19th century, the city of Buffalo was home to several railroad stations, but people desperately wanted a single union station to be constructed. Plans were…
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Rust Belt Girl 
“Abandonment Photography” – I like it! I’ve always been pulled to photographs of old barns, abandoned farm houses, etc., but I never knew that these photos had an actual type. Just like Johnny’s photos, the photos of the barns and abandoned farmhouses give me a sense of sadness, longing, and love. I imagine all the stories these old places could tell, and it makes me wish I could go back in time to experience a few of these stories myself. Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!
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Thank you for visiting! It’s a nicer name than “ruin porn,” I think! And Johnny does a great job of providing the history behind the sites–almost as good as “peopling” them once again.
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Wow! Great photos. They have captured that abandonment.
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How wonderful to see that such a beautiful, historic landmark is being restored. Great to see Buffalo making a comeback. This reminds me of the gorgeous old train stations in Paris, one of which has now become the amazing Musée D’Orsay.
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Yes, I just love art-deco anything–anywhere in the world! Thanks for checking it out!
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Art Deco yes, and Art Nouveau even more!
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Yes–got my “art” styles confused. I have to remember: Chrysler Building is Art Deco; Paris Metro stations are Art Nouveau!
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