The New Wonder of the World: Buffalo, the Electric City

"The New Wonder of the World: Buffalo, the Electric City" by A. E. Richmond is a snapshot of Buffalo, New York, as it stood on the cusp of immense change in the late 1800s. The book chronicles Buffalo's rise as an industrial powerhouse, fueled by the limitless potential of electricity from Niagara Falls. It paints the city as a land of opportunity, ripe with resources, advanced transportation systems, and, most importantly, the lure of inexpensive electric power. Richmond's narrative explores the immense opportunities for Buffalo's industries, including its booming grain, ample coal, and growing livestock trades, all enhanced by the city's prime location and shipping capabilities. A sense of hope underscores Richmond's depiction of Buffalo, anticipating a future when the city's clean and efficient environment, powered by Niagara's hydroelectricity, would draw in a wave of industries and new residents, transforming it into the prominent "Electric City."