Lafayette Square

A Slice of Buffalo's Past

Located in the bustling heart of downtown Buffalo, Lafayette Square carries the weight of history in its pathways. Part of Joseph Ellicott's original 1804 blueprint for the city, this green space has witnessed Buffalo's evolution throughout the city's history.

Named after General Lafayette who stopped by Buffalo in 1825, the park has shape-shifted over the decades. Once an ideal square (as the name suggests), it's gradually changed form to make room for urban growth, including Broadway's extension to Main Street in the early 1900s.

The square also holds an unusual place in American presidential history. In 1848, it was the site of the Free Soil Party's national nominating convention, a gathering that drew an estimated 40,000 people to watch former President Martin Van Buren receive the party's presidential nomination. On February 16, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln made a stop at the square and addressed the crowd - just weeks before his inauguration.

Monuments That Speak Volumes

Dominating the square is the impressive Soldiers and Sailors Monument, a tribute to those who served in the Civil War. Standing 85 feet tall, this granite column is crowned with a 10-foot-6-inch allegorical figure representing the Union. At each of the four cardinal directions stands an 8-foot bronze statue representing infantry, artillery, cavalry, and navy - all sculpted by Caspar Buberl.

Bronze bas-relief panels wrap around the shaft, depicting members of Lincoln's original cabinet and wartime scenes. Half of the Gettysburg Address is inscribed on the monument's east face, while the west side carries a dedication to those who gave their lives "in the war to maintain the union for the cause of their country and of mankind." Scattered benches invite you to sit for a moment, perhaps with a book or a friend, while taking in the historical detail all around.

Architectural Eye Candy

The square offers views of some of Buffalo's notable architecture. The Liberty Building stands proud alongside the Main Court Building, while the Art Deco lines of City Hall create a dramatic backdrop three blocks to the west. On one edge, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library continues the square's long tradition as a civic hub.

Also worth noting is the Lafayette Hotel on the south side of the square - a 300-room historic property designed in 1904 by Louise Blanchard Bethune, one of the first professional female architects in the United States. For architecture enthusiasts, the buildings lining the square represent a compelling range of eras and styles.

Where Buffalo Comes Together

Lafayette Square has historically been a central gathering place where the community comes together. Until 2011, it pulsed with live music during the popular Thursday at the Square summer concerts.

These days, you might catch jazz performances backed by the Colored Musicians Club or join in a Slow Roll bicycle gathering. It's a breathing space in the concrete landscape where office workers escape with their lunch, tourists pause to orient themselves, and locals meet up before heading elsewhere.

Your Downtown Oasis

Lafayette Square is notably quiet at dawn and dusk, offering a contrast to the usual downtown energy. During summer, the mature trees cast generous shadows, offering a cool retreat from Buffalo's warmest days.

You can easily reach the square via public transportation, with metro stations just steps away. Open around the clock, this park seamlessly blends its role as historical landmark with its function as a practical public space - a place where you can feel the heartbeat of Buffalo's civic life, whether you have five minutes or an afternoon to spare.