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Friday, March 29, 2024
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

Terminal termination

A distinct, unsettling chill lies in the air. Debris from the ceiling and chipped walls can be seen all over the building. Years of abandonment create a feeling of isolation throughout the halls, though no one is ever really alone within the Buffalo Central Terminal.

Built in 1927 and opened to the public in 1929 for travel, the terminal is an abandoned railroad station that stopped its service in 1979. Now, the terminal is remembered for paranormal reasons - many believe the building is haunted. Suspicions were confirmed when Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson from the Syfy channel show, Ghost Hunters, investigated the terminal to confirm any supernatural activity in Sept. 2008.

Throughout the investigation, flashlights mysteriously flickered on and off, voices stating their names could be heard on audio and thermal imaging revealed beings that were something other than human.

Wilson's only explanation was ghosts.

This is just one example of paranormal activity evidence. The Ghost Hunters are not the only people who have seen or heard supernatural phenomena.

An anonymous source tells of an instance when his friend went to the terminal for a party. As the source and others were drinking and playing music in one corridor of the building, dozens of people started walking down the hall. At first they thought the people were drug addicts because the homeless commonly use the terminal as a shelter. But as the anonymous man looked closer, he saw the ghostly figures leave through the windows.

Another terminal visitor stated during one afternoon, a member from one of the many tours was taking pictures of an old restaurant inside the main hall. Later, she found one of the pictures contained a light that was not from the camera. As she looked closer, she discovered it was what a paranormal expert would call the "energy of a spirit."

Many witnesses claim to have seen ghostly figures within the terminal - objects that move without a human touch and other eerie occurrences. Some believe looming spirits legitimately haunt the building. Others believe it is a figment of the imagination due to the bare insides of the building.

The expensive and elegant features that once filled the terminal, such as the golden lining on the walls, have been stripped away by the previous owner. Now, most of the rooms are in disrepair after years of neglect. The building has also been ravaged with graffiti.

The terminal changed owners a handful of times until the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) purchased itin 1997 by the hands of Scott Field of the Preservation Coalition for Erie County.

The building cost $1.

The CTRC is currently attempting to restore and revitalize the building with constant cleaning and decorating. Volunteers from many different organizations come to help out in the hopes that sometime in the near future the building can be restored and used for local and regional travel.

The overwhelming goal of CTRC is to "restore the building to its former glory," according to members of the group. This, however, will be an uphill battle because one of the main concerns is funding for the project.

Another problem CTRC faces is the lack of workers for each aspect of the renovation. There is no telling how many people believe in the supernatural that supposedly haunts the abandoned terminal, they said.

Although official plans to restore the building were officially released in 2011, there is no definitive time on when the building will be restored to its original status.

The terminal is hosting upcoming events: candlelight tours from Oct. 18-27, a VIP Ghost Hunt on Oct. 19 and 26 and Halloween Ghost Hunts on Oct. 20 and 27. Check out the website for more information.

Email: features@ubspectrum.com


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