Niagara History Center

By studying the timeline, what national events and/or societal shifts in the post-WWII era may have influenced the urban renewal movement in US cities? Using the inverted pyramid model of listing most important to least important, place the national events in order of significance. Separately, explain how events in Lockport NY paralleled those happening nationally?

Urban Renewal in the United States had it roots in the industrialization boom and the migration of disenfranchised populations from the South to the cities of the North in post-World War II America. Affordable automobiles, the Interstate Highway Act of 1956, and the growth of shopping plazas/malls, adversely affected local stores in large cities. These circumstances were paralleled in Lockport NY and other cities in the federal push for Urban Renewal beginning in the 1950s. 



Urban Renewal in Lockport, NY, Part 1: Setting the Stage, 1949 - 1961 

When Urban Renewal ended in Lockport NY in 1974, it left many empty lots and unfulfilled promises. Where once a busy shopping district and residential area existed, now contained large spaces between new businesses and virtually no housing for low income residents. In this slide show, you will see what Main Street and Lowertown looked like in Lockport before Urban Renewal and how those same places appeared in 2023. While viewing the photos, do you think the residents and businesses owners of Lockport today consider Urban Renewal a success or a failure? By comparing the before and after photos, what do you think were the positive and what were the negative aspects of Urban Renewal?  

Before and After: The Effects of Post-Urban Renewal on Lockport, NY 

Keep Lockport Beautiful. How might this be percieved in light of the situation? Do you see any irony in the photo? 

Urban Renewal: Process and Promises

In the early 1960s, the US the population continued to shift from the cities to the suburbs. In Lockport, Urban Renewal progressed from 1963 to 1974. Outside of the city, the area was transformed from farmland to retail and residential. Lockport's downtown district was altered as the process of purchasing properties, evicting residents and businesses, and razing the buildings proceeded. Plans for a "new" Main Street were publicized and public meetings were held to inform residents of would be taking place.     

By examining the images in the timelines, draw conclusions that will answer the questions: How did citizens react to Urban Renewal, both before and after its completion? How did they challenge proposals for Urban Renewal? 

Urban Renewal in Lockport NY, Part 2: Action and Reaction, 1962 - 1974

This map is from the Comprehensive Plan prepared by Victor Gruen Associates in 1961. The plan "represents the master guide for Lockport's growth in the coming two decades." This map shows existing land use in downtown Lockport and the Lowertown district located along the Erie Canal and Market St. The blue sections are industrial areas, the yellow are residential, and the orange are commercial and mixed use. While many of the plans for development were never realized, some development did occur along Main St. and adjacent areas. Click on the stars to see objects relating to the development of new businesses or loss of older establishments.

Urban Renewal: Development or Destruction?

Urban Renewal in Lockport had many different stages and with differing results. Main Street was one a busy shopping center but Urban Renewal turned it into a "war zone-like" area. When it came out on the other side, it had been transformed into the city that it is today. Using content you’ve previously read in this Resource Kit, move through the three phases outlined in the title: Downtown, debris and development. Be careful not to trip or fall in a hole left by the demolition!  

Find Your Way Through the Door to Downtown, Debris and Development in Lockport NY

This  kit explores the history of Lockport, NY between 1954 and 1974 when almost every major city in the United States was impacted by federal policies aimed at revitalization and modernization as part of a national movement called Urban Renewal. In Lockport, the Urban Renewal movement had significant impacts on the city. The plan to redevelop areas by razing old buildings and constructing new ones, led to the loss of historic architecture and displacement of the residents, and left a legacy of vacant and underdeveloped land. At the conclusion of this kit, you should be able to answer these questions:

1. How did national events and societal shifts influence the Urban Renewal Movement in the US?

2. How did citizens react and challenge proposals for Urban Renewal?

3. What were the costs and benefits of Urban Renewal, both in dollars and in the people that were displaced?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAA0QF2IXOs

https://usmodernist.org/PA/PA-1972-11.pdf

https://inclusivehistorian.com/urban-renewal/

An Historical Overview of Lockport NY on the Erie Canal 

https://www.nfcss.org/nchs-erie-canal-project.html

Urban Renewal or Urban Removal: A Case Study from Lockport, NY, 1954-1974

Civics and Government

Social Studies

Economics

U.S. History

Legal Highlight: The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Fair Housing Act Overview and Challenges

Civil Rights Act is passed in 1964 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

The Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act. It prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.  

A ceremonial demolition begins in Lockport after an agreement between developers, business owners, residents and the Lockport Common Council allow the Urban Renewal program to begin. Residents gather to watch a bulldozer start tearing down a house to make way for a supermarket. Looking at the faces and body language of some of the people, how do you think they might be feeling a this moment? List some of the possible emotions they are expressing. 

Demolition Begins in Lockport

Lockport holds a "$2 Million Day" celebration for the groundbreaking of a new Sears department store, the Lockport Savings & Loan association building, a new bus terminal, and various other commercial spaces downtown. Considering the previous photo, and the newspaper here, after two years of Urban Renewal, would people have felt differently about the progress in 1965 than in 1963?  What factors may have influenced their attitudes?    

"$2 Million Day"

In this newspaper, approval for federal funding for the Lowertown Project Area was announced. There were those who pushed for the quick demolition of the homes/buildings in Lowertown with redevelopment beginning as soon as possible, while others advocated for time to study the architecture possible reuse or restoration. 

On the same page, plans were reported for the new Mall being proposed for the town of Lockport. What do you think these stories indicate about what was taking place in Lockport at this time? 

Lowertown Project Area

The Lockport Mall opened on former farmland in the suburbs just outside of the city. Very few businesses from downtown relocated to the mall; most stores were national chains. In the photo, the mall is at the top. Gradually, this area became the main commercial and residential corridor south of Lockport. 

How would the movement of businesses and people away from the city have affected the residents and economy of the town? Do you think this change was welcome?  

Ariel view of the Lockport Mall in the town of Lockport

The Lowertown Project Area Committee and Urban Renewal Agency finalized plans for Lowertown and released information to residents. Demolition in Lowertown occurred and the century+ old historic buildings bordering the Erie Canal were cleared. 

What would have been the arguments for keeping the historic buildings? What would have been the justification for tearing the down? List the pros and cons.  



Demolition in Lowertown

Launch Lockport Day celebrated the achievements of the last decade with open house events across the city. New developments included Lockview Plaza, the Autumn Gardens apartment complex, the nearly complete Municipal Building and a new parking ramp.

With Urban Renewal officially completed in Lockport, the community could now access the accomplishments and failures of the last ten years. How would they have measured these outcomes? What types of information would they need to do this?



Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Urban Renewal or Urban Removal: A Case Study from Lockport, NY, 1954-1974

Urban Renewal in Lockport NY, Part 2: Action and Reaction, 1962 - 1974

1964 CE

Civil Rights Act is passed in 1964 which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

1963 CE

1968 CE

The Civil Rights Act of 1968, known as the Fair Housing Act. It prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.

1965 CE

1969 CE

1971 CE

1972 CE

1974 CE