The Buffalo Historical GIS (Geographical Information System) is an interdisciplinary project directed by Dr. Jean Richardson of the Department of History and Social Studies Education. Other faculty participants include Dr. Tao Tang and Mary Perrelli from the Department of Geography and Planning, Dr. M. Stephen Pendleton of the Economics Department and Dr. Gordon Fraser of the Great Lakes Center.
This prototype consists of several ArcIMS map layers containing feature data digitized from historic maps of Buffalo. The following maps are currently available:
Future map layers will include additional feature categories such as schools, hospitals, grocery stores, taverns, theaters, etc., with links to additional text and images. Other map layers and attached databases will allow the display of demographic data such as population density, ethnicity, household income, property values, and governmental information.
Seed money for the project was provided by a generous grant from the New York Council for the Humanities. Additional funding was provided by Saperston Asset Management, Inc.
Thanks to Mary Bell and Patricia Virgil of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society for supplying images; to research assistants Edna Habicht, Shelly Smith Jackson, and also to Mark Wolfe and GIS assistant Paul Speich. Special thanks to Mary Perrelli for her time and patience and GIS expertise.
