Buffalo Central Terminal
The ghosts in Buffalo’s old train station may make the building a true tower of terror
Paranormal Reports at
Buffalo Central Terminal
- Disembodied voices are frequently heard
- A ghost named ‘Rose’ purportedly haunts the baggage area
- Shadow figures are seen throughout the building
- A spiritual force will purportedly follow people around the third floor
- Visiting ghost hunters report potential ITC communication
- Visitors report hearing the sound of children voices
A Tower of Trains:
History of Buffalo Central Terminal
On the east side of Buffalo, New York, a monument to transportation history stands amongst rust and overgrowth. Buffalo Central Terminal can’t help but look dark and ominous as it looms over a residential neighborhood.
But the sky-scraping former train station is an enduring piece of 1900s Buffalo. And though the station hasn’t greeted travelers for decades, locals haven’t forgotten the train terminal.
Buffalo Central Terminal is the ongoing focus of restoration drives. Historians are pushing to save the mothballed building.
The old tower has also become the focal point of numerous Buffalo ghost stories. The paranormal reports range from ghosts haunting baggage claim to terrifying encounters in the tower. Local lore says Buffalo’s historic train station might be one of the city’s most active paranormal hotspots.
Timeline of Buffalo Central Terminal's History
Swipe or use timeline points to see Buffalo Central Terminal through the years
1926
In 1920s Buffalo, officials had to grapple with a rapidly expanding city. At the time, the city had been experiencing explosive growth for a generation. Competition from private train companies was also increasing during this period. This resulted in a criss-crossing system of terminals serving different areas. One company, New York Central Railroad, devised a plan to develop a large terminal away from downtown. The goal was to both alleviate confusion and take advantage of the city’s growing east side. Construction on New York Central’s terminal began in 1926.
1929
In 1929, Buffalo Central Terminal opened to great fanfare. The Art Deco complex towered over the neighborhoods around it. The concourse had enough space to comfortably greet and see off thousands of people. And Buffalo Central Terminal quickly filled up with trains and passengers. Right away, the new station served as many as 200 trains per day. But, the success would be short-lived. The Great Depression arrived a few months after the opening. Coupled with the expansion of car ownership, this soon took a toll on the station’s traffic.
1956
Through to the 1950s, Buffalo Central Terminal continued to struggle. Car travel continued cutting into train service, and air travel was swiftly becoming a competitor. In 1956, New York Central put the station up for sale, finding no buyers. Into the 1960s, the railroad demolished some station outbuildings to decrease tax bills and keep the station afloat. This ultimately did very little, and New York Central merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1968. This put Buffalo Central Terminal under the ownership of the new company, Penn Central.
1970
Penn Central went bankrupt fast, shuttering operations in 1970. But the very next year, in 1971, the US government formed Amtrak and took control of Buffalo train service. Amtrak used Buffalo Central Terminal through the 1970s. But, the station remained under private owners who struggled to maintain it. In 1979, Amtrak abandoned Buffalo Central Terminal for newer and smaller stations elsewhere in the city. The last Amtrak train that year would spell the end of Buffalo Central Terminal’s 50 years of service.
1997
Through the 1980s and early 90s, several investors would pass through Buffalo Central Terminal. But between bankruptcies and foreclosures, the station remained in derelict condition. The site quickly became a favorite with explorers and vandals, and fell into impossible disrepair. In 1997, the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation bought the building in hopes of saving it from demolition. In the years that followed, CTRC completed the necessary work to stabilize the building and plan for its future.
2005
In the early 2000s, CTRC opened the terminal for public tours. They used the revenue and increased interest to fund further restorations. Part of these restorations included procuring original artifacts. In 2005, CTRC located and purchased the original terminal clock, putting it on display. Restoration efforts continue today, as CTRC hopes to preserve the station for years to come. And tourists’ eerie and unexplainable experiences have helped further that goal. Many now come to Buffalo Central Terminal to both learn its history and encounter its hauntings.
Is Buffalo Central Terminal Haunted?
Buffalo Central Terminal has been open for tours for over twenty years. In that time, many visitors have reported paranormal encounters. And through those tales, a few ghostly identities have taken shape.
One of the most well-known ghosts around Buffalo Central Terminal is the specter of a mysterious woman, dubbed Rose. Rose is said to linger around the baggage area of the main floor.
Rather than appear to visitors, Rose is best known for speaking to them. But, she will only talk to people she likes.
Witnesses to Rose’s activity say she seems to dislike men. She will not often speak when they are in or near the baggage area. But, Rose reportedly enjoys the company of other women and will speak to them quite often.
Child Spirits Roam the Station
Rose isn’t the only identified spirit said to haunt Buffalo Central Terminal. Another specter is a young boy, named Zachary.
Zachary’s ghost is said to frequently frolic and play through the empty terminal. His spirit is sighted throughout the building, but he is said to enjoy the main tower offices. Through the main tower, tourists may hear a child’s energetic, playful laughter, or hear footsteps running up and down the halls.
Phantoms on Upper Floors
On the station’s third floor, the ghost of a former owner may haunt his old property.
Tony Fedele owned Buffalo Central Terminal from its closure in 1979 through to the mid-1980s. In that time, he kept an apartment on the third floor of the station. Now, his ghost may still reside in his old 1980s bachelor pad.
Fedele’s ghost is said to be an odd sensation more than anything. Witnesses say it feels like someone is following closely behind you with every step you take through the area.
While this can be off-putting to some, others suggest it is Fedele’s way to keep a close watch on the property he enjoyed so much in life.
Shadows in the Station
Along with the identified entities of Buffalo Central Terminal, the train station has its share of unknown ghosts.
Shadow figures are commonly spotted all through the building, though never with enough detail to identify. Many times, these figures are spotted on the first floor, standing still or simply milling around. This has led some to wonder if these might be spirits of long gone train travelers.
Hear Voices From the Past
Buffalo Central Terminal is also well-known for its many disembodied voices. Distant voices are frequently heard echoing through the terminal.
But, along with that, phantom voices are also regularly reported in offices and the main tower spaces. People who have heard the terminal’s voices say they sometimes sound like they’re speaking different languages, most often German.
Ghost Hunters’ Freaky Findings
Buffalo Central Terminal’s ghost stories have made it a highly popular location for ghost hunters. Ghost hunters are some of the building’s most frequent tourists.
They often leave their tours with recordings and photos they say capture the station’s hauntings. EVP recordings of the station’s ghostly voices are commonly reported.
Additionally, some visiting ghost hunters use Spirits Boxes and other ITC tools during their tours. Those using these tools report intelligent responses to questions.
Many responses are said to come from the third floor, near Tony Fedele’s apartment. Down in the baggage area, Rose is also said to be quite talkative over EVP and Spirit Boxes as well, as long as no men are present.
Buffalo’s Haunted High-Rise
While it no longer sees 200 trains a day, Buffalo Central Terminal remains a pivotal part of eastern Buffalo. More than just standing tall over the surrounding blocks, the station is becoming a monument to the city’s past, as well as a testament to tenacity.
The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation continues to work towards full restoration. As that work picks up steam, tours and ghost hunts are less common than they once were. But, the grounds are still being used for regular events, including outdoor movie nights and concerts.
Although you can’t book a ghost hunt at the terminal right now, you won’t have to look far to find someone with a ghost story to share about the old tower.
Buffalo Central Terminal is taking the long, slow road towards reuse. But it seems certain that its ghost stories will endure as long as its looming structure does. And no matter what future tenants may one day move into the redeveloped terminal, the ghosts aren’t likely to ever move out. Perhaps the spirits simply know their station in life.
