Until the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825, Buffalo was a sleepy town. Access to an abundant supply of fresh water led to a thriving farming industry, provided a means of transportation, and powered mills and factories. Adding to the hustle and bustle of the city’s busy new harbor was Joseph Dart’s local invention of the grain elevator. Buffalo’s location on Lake Erie, and its growth during the second industrial revolution, helped the city become the eighth largest in America and established it as the Queen City. It has been home to future presidents and inventors who have influenced millions. The city’s original radial street design, the layout of its parks, and its majestic architecture make Buffalo fascinating and unique.