Buffalo has got some old homes. But none are older that the unassuming Coit House, located at 412 Virginia Street. I say unassuming because the history behind it, and the history that must have taken place inside it, is nothing short of incredible. And yet compared with some of the grand mansions in Buffalo, this home seems unassuming.
Let’s take a closer look.
The house itself is of the Federal style, with at least two additions added by the Coit family. There is some discrepancy over the actual date the home was built, but in general it is accepted that it was built not long after Buffalo was burned in 1813, during the War of 1812. The City of Buffalo records show 1818 as the date built, but the historical marker erected outside the home by the Allentown Association states 1815. There is evidence to prove both dates correct. Most people agree that either way, it is still the oldest residential structure in the city.
Photo from “The Picture Book of Earlier Buffalo,” by Frank H. Severance
The house originally stood at the southeast corner of Swan and Pearl Streets. It’s a great example of Buffalo’s ‘pioneer-era’ residences, and in fact was quite typical of the structures built by the wealthier Buffalonians at the time. It was built when everything was still done by hand. All the woodwork was hand hewn. Hard to imagine that now. So labor intensive. Very soon thereafter, it would have been built much differently due to fire codes that stated that no new residences could be built of wood, and machining of woodwork became the trend.
George Coit, the original owner, added on to the house at least twice, adding a third floor, and extending the home lengthwise. He also changed the interior somewhat during the years he and his family lived there. But the home remains largely intact as he left it. Even though the home has been through several owners who rented the property throughout the years, breaking it up into several apartments, and, eventually putting it back closer to its original design. Some believe that because the house was rented out for so long, a single family didn’t move in and make any major changes to the structure itself to suit their own needs. This almost certainly would have happened had a single family bought the home to live in during the mid twentieth century.
Let’s talk about George Coit himself. He is originally from Norwich, Connecticut. George and his lifelong friend Charles Townsend came to Buffalo in 1811, where they immediately rose to the forefront of the community. You see, they arrived with 20 tons of provisions, some of the first people to do so.
In 1812, they bought a piece of property on Swan Street, between Main and Pearl Streets. They opened a drug store in an existing building on that sight. It would be the first of many joint business ventures the two undertook in the fledgling community of Buffalo, NY.
In 1813, they lost the store when the village was burned during the War of 1812. But they had managed to escape with some of their goods the day before the fire, and returned to rebuild.
George married and had eight children with Charles’ sister, Hanna. Coit and Townsend were such good friends, the two named their firstborn sons after each other. Coit built a house for his young family at the corner of Swan and Pearl Streets. Coit House.
Coit and Townsend continued in business together.
Seemingly against all odds, and after most of the city’s investors backed out, George Coit and Charles Townsend worked with Oliver Forward and later Samuel Wilkeson to build the Buffalo Harbor, eventually winning the battle for the terminus of the Erie Canal to be located in Buffalo. Which as we all know, resulted in increased business in shipping (which Coit and Townsend immediately went into together) and eventually railroads, grain processing, motor vehicles, aerospace and all the smaller supporting businesses that go along with those giants. This effectively catapulted Buffalo to one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the country.
Without the Buffalo Harbor, none of that would have happened.
Even when Buffalo’s industrial core moved north from the canal to Swan Street and beyond, and most prominent families were moving north of the city center, George Coit stayed at the corner of Swan and Pearl Streets in his somewhat humble home, considering his wealth, with his family. Hannah had passed away with the birth of their eighth child in 1835. George went on to marry twice more before passing away himself in 1865.
To say that George Coit was an important Buffalonian is an understatement to be sure. Through it all he remained an unassuming, humble man. Buried at his request in Forest Lawn, overlooking Delaware Avenue in one of the largest plots available, purchased by Coit himself for his family, with only a simple marble marker placed on his own grave.
In 1867, the home was moved to its present resting place on Virginia Street.
Next time you take a stroll through Allentown, wander over to number 412 Virginia, and take a moment to imagine the meetings of our city founders that undoubtedly went on in this house. The entertaining of great Buffalonians. Not to mention the births and sadly, the deaths of Coit family members, including George Coit himself. Contemplate the man who not only built a home for his growing family, but helped to shape the city we call home.
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Oh my! The house is so beautiful! I love a home with some history, and I bet the inside is just as beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you liked it. Thank you for reading!
How on God’s green earth do they move a house ? & to a whole diff street and still call it historic? It’s not even at the correct address anymore, I dno watcthdy made it out of thst it vuld be picked up and moved lika Mobie home? Smh
The home was built in Buffalo in 1815(ish), and was moved in 1867 to a location within the city of Buffalo. So it’s still the oldest residential home in Buffalo. As for how they moved it in 1867? That remains a mystery. I cannot even imagine. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment!
Great story and house.
My family is from Buffalo they owned the mortuary back in the 1930’s…love reading your stories and the history!
Cool! What mortuary? I might have to do some research! I feel a post coming on…. 🙂
The history behind architecture is so interesting sometimes! It really adds a whole new perspective and gives a deeper appreciation for how and where we live!
I agree with you! Thanks for the read!
Great story! Defiantly my kind of post!
I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for reading!
Interesting bit of history you’ve got there! Thanks for sharing.
Appreciate you reading the post. Glad you liked it!
This is amazing – with our country as young as it is, always looking for areas to visit that really show our age! 🙂
Buffalo would be a great place to visit for that. We’ve got great history, and awesome things to do right now too! Appreciate you reading the post!
What a cool story! I love the history behind the house!
I do too! Thank you for reading!
I love this! Personal history and old historical homes like this always fascinate me. Thank you for sharing.
A nice piece of history there in Allentown.
It is. Thank you for reading!
Wow! What a piece of history!
Agree! Thanks for the read!
What a great post! I loved the history you provided!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!
Old homes are my favorite! I love you included it on your blog!
Thank you for reading! Glad you enjoyed the post!
I love knowing the history of old homes. There is one in our small town that a friend of mine bought. It was originally owned by the town doctor who saw patients in his basement.
Awesome, can you imagine if the walls in your friend’s house could talk? Would love to hear what they’d have to say! 🙂
I love historic homes. I always find it interesting when they add floors. We learned that the Lincolns did that also. I’d love to visit this one!
I love historic homes too! I wonder about the people who lived in them. What their lives were like, what the place meant to them and their families. You know what they say, ‘If these walls could talk…’ Would love to hear what they would have to say. Thank you for reading!
What a great piece of history! It seems that he left a beautiful legacy behind (for future generations). Thanks for sharing his story.
He sure did! Thanks for the read!
Wow, what great history!!
Thanks for the read!
I love history! Thank you for sharing this about your city!
Makes me happy when a community and its leaders have an appreciation for historical sites. In my town, they’re generally torn down…and all we have is old pictures to commemorate buildings like these. Great write-up!
Buffalo went through a period where we lost many of our treasures, in the latter half of the 20th century. We are finally at the point where we appreciate the ones we have left and are working actively to keep them and to bring attention to them! Thanks for reading!
I love that you put the history of this beautiful building. It’s always fun to learn about the history of things.
Huge fan of the old style homes!!! Definitely want one!
The craftsmanship can’t be beat! I’d love one too!
Great story – I never really understood why people pay lots of money to move an entire home. While it moved some of history, it still is like you said, unassuming. I also admire your passion for history – I like reading about it very much!
Such a neat history! I hope to be able to check out all the cool history you share with us some day!
I hope you can too! Thanks for reading!
What an interesting story! I love homes in this area of the country, and the distinct architecture. I had no idea of the story of this home, so thank you for sharing.
You are welcome. Thank you for reading!
Thanks for sharing that. I love homes, architecture, and history… so this really resonates with me and that was a really
great story.
Thanks so much! I’m glad you liked it!
What a beautiful house!
Isn’t it? Thanks for reading!
We love historic places and are always looking for new places to visit. This is going on our bucket list.
I love those old homes! And the stories that go with them are amazing as well. This one looks beautiful. And the owners played important historical roles in the city. How wonderful that the house is preserved.
I love reading about historical landmarks and special locations to explore. I’ve been to Buffalo a few times, but never knew about this piece of history.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reading!
I love old houses. We have quite a few in our area that have such wonderful stories. I live when they are restored, instead of being torn down.
Love the stories behind old buildings! Thanks for reading!