Echota means “Place of Refuge” in Cherokee. The Niagara Falls Power Company built it as a model city for its employees. It was built on 84 acres of reclaimed swamp land!
Construction on Echota began in 1893 and it was established in 1895. Architect Standford White planned and developed the community. 112 units were built including 67 single homes, duplexes as well as three and four unit row houses. They were in the Queen Anne and Georgian styles. Originally the houses were natural wood shingles with white trim. But, in 1901, with the popularity of the colors used at the Pan-Am Expo, the homes were painted in bright colors and actually became an attraction for tourists!
Additionally, there were stores, a school, a fire station and a railroad station.
The area is located along the banks of Gill Creek and what is today Buffalo Avenue, Hyde Park Boulevard and Packard Road.
In 1910, the Niagara Development Company sold Echota and the area began to decline. In 1958, some of the smaller homes were moved to a development off Military Road.
Today, Echota is a shadow of what it once was, but still holds historic memories of the glory days. They have been able to secure funds to restore 21 Hyde Park Blvd.
If you’d like to get a feel of the area, walk around A, B, C, D, E and F streets and see if you can find some of the remaining dwellings.
There used to be a sign nearby that welcomed you to Echota, but it is gone now for some reason. Since it is an area of historical significane, I am resubmitting it as a Traditional and the old puzzle will be archived.
Happy Trails......