[JeanLM]

Buffalo was an Indian outpost with a population of 8000 until the canal was built in 1825. There wasn’t any connection to the populous East until the canal. Then Buffalo grew to be the second largest city in NY. Not much west of Buffalo back then except furs.

[thackney]

Buffalo was an Indian outpost with a population of 8000 until the canal was built in 1825.

I don't think it got that big until after the canal.

War of 1812 was devastating to Buffalo, December raid in 1813 burned them out. By Early 1814, there was one house left standing.