The factory for Sowers Manufacturing Company was constructed in 1914 as documented on the 1916 Sanborn Map. In 1916 the lot to the south was owner by Seneca Clay Company and used as a sewer pipe yard. It is likely that before construction was completed the sewer pipe yard was purchased and the building expanded south given the seamless appearance of the east elevation.

Sowers Manufacturing made “DOPP” equipment for heating – cooling – mixing, including seamless jacketed and single shell kettles, mixers, soap crutchers, vacuum and pressure apparatus and noted in a ca. 1930 product publication. Dopp kettles and pans were constructed out of cast iron and used in the chemical industry.

The company remained at the factory located on Niagara Street until 1942 when the property was sold. The 1950 Sanborn map notes the factory building with various occupancies.

The two story, fourteen bay brick masonry building is simply detailed with brick masonry piers that extend beyond the parapet defining each bay. A loading bay is located in the sixth bay from the south with pedestrian entrances in the flanking bays. A second loading bay is located at the northwest corner of the building.

The nine bays to the north have cast sills and iron lintels whereas at the five bays to the south the lintel is faced with brick. This detailing is consistent with the 1916 Sanborn map that shows the lot to the south as a storage yard for the Seneca Clay Company. The raised rusticated limestone foundation, medina sandstone watertable, engaged pilasters and corbelled, scallop frieze are consistent across the entire facade. There are no windows on the north elevation. The west elevation has been faced with a stucco material.

Mental Health Counseling & Drug Addiction Treatment Centers.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Marriage Counseling.

Northwest Community Health Center has been serving the Erie County community since 1974. We offer a wide range of services for people struggling with mental health issues and people in need of counseling services.

The Clinic Treatment programs provide an array of services for individuals with psychiatric, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal issues. These include individual, group, couples, and family counseling, medication therapy, advocacy, referral and crisis services.

Services are offered at two locations: The Kenmore Clinic at 2495 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore, NY and the Niagara Clinic at 1300 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY. The Clinics have highly skilled and experienced interdisciplinary teams that include Social Workers, Psychiatrists, and Nurse Practitioners.

- Northwest Community Health Center Website (online September 2017)