John O'Flanagan House
DEMOLISHED
171 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY
Photos by David Granville
Research by Tim Tielman
The structure was built as a semi-detached (side-by-side) double, between 1850 and 1868. It was built c.1867 by John O'Flanagan, who identified himself variously as an architect and builder through the period of Buffalo's post-Civil War boom.
Interior features:
- Classical plaster moldings are intact throughout the structure
- Cast iron medallions are plentiful on the first and second floors.
- Stone and cast iron fireplace fronts and mantels are intact.
- The two principal staircases are intact down to the spindles. They are visible through a grand, wood-framed arched opening in the party wall installed at some time to connect the two halves of the structure. This creates a distinctive full-height feature is one I have not seen in any other Buffalo house.
- Many of the public rooms are still full height.
There are only two Second Empire style houses left on lower Niagara Street, the O'Flanagan house and the Balcom/Chandler House at 89 Niagara. Both are endangered [Demolisehed].
Exterior
Photos by David Granville
Interior