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Historic Precinct 13 in Black Rock

Early History (1895-1954)

Precinct 13 was designed by architect Frederick Mohr and commissioned by the City of Buffalo Board of Public Works in 1895 .  A notable example of neo-classical revival style, the building’s exterior is composed of header brick coursing with rose-colored mortar. The structure features brick archways, second story lintels and continuous sills comprised of rough-cut Medina sandstone, originally completed as 3 stories, with an articulated mansard roof and two hexagonal towers at the right and left corners.  The interior features a stairway banister of original wood with the number 13 hand carved into the first-floor balustrade.  The most infamous prisoner of Precinct 13 was Leon Czolgosz, who was detained and brought to the precinct immediately after assassinating President William McKinley in 1901. 

Police Athletic League (1955 - 1985)

Following a fire in 1954, the third floor and pitched roof on the front building was removed.  Shortly thereafter, it was decommissioned as police station and converted to a PAL, where several generations of Black Rock neighborhood children learned to smoke and play pool.    

Now

The property was sold by the City to a private owner, who used it for storage, and converted two rooms on the first floor into a studio dwelling and office space.  Andrew McLellan purchased the building in 2005 and has operated two businesses, Environmental Education Associates, Inc, and & UNYSEnvironmental Services, LLC from there since. 

Gallery

346 Austin Street is a City of Buffalo Landmark and is now under consideration for National Parks Service Historic Preservation status.

Featuring the soothing sounds of sme of teh Pointless

The interior features a stairway banister of original wood with the number 13 hand carved into the first-floor  

"The President's assailant was...  turned over to Superintendent Bull, who took the prisoner to No. 13 Police Department".  Excerpt Col 2, Para 5.

Photo Gallery

This 1878 US Trade Dollar was discovered during renovations in 2021.  Named the "Potty Coin" for obvious reasons, it was minted as an image of Liberty

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