🏭 Founding of Buffalo Meter Company (1892)

Buffalo Meter Company was founded on October 1, 1892 by George Barclay Bassett in Buffalo, New York.

The company was created specifically to manufacture water meters based on Bassett’s patents.

💧 Introduction of the Niagara Water Meter (1890s)

Shortly after its founding, Buffalo Meter introduced its first major product:

The Niagara Water Meter a disc‑type water meter, Split‑case design with Cast‑iron body coated with zinc for corrosive water, with jewel bearings for accuracy and widely adopted across the U.S. in the early 20th century.

The Smithsonian has a few Buffalo Niagara meters from the 1930s. 🏢 The 1917 Buffalo Meter Factory

In 1915–1917, the company built a major new manufacturing facility at 2917 Main Street, Buffalo, designed by the prominent industrial architects Lockwood, Greene & Co. It became one of the most important water‑meter factories in the U.S.

🧰 Expansion of Product Line (1900–1930s)

By the early 1900s, Buffalo Meter added the American Water Meter, introduced around 1900 with the same internal mechanism as the Niagara with Bronze case for non‑corrosive water and produced from ca. 1900–1960.

These two meters — Niagara and American — became some of the most widely used disc meters in the U.S.

📈 Mid‑Century Operations (1930s–1960s)

During the first half of the 20th century, Buffalo Meter was:

- One of the nation’s most prominent makers of liquid meters

- A major supplier to municipal water systems

- Known for rugged disc meters and industrial flow meters - Also made a large range of Oil meters

- The Niagara and American meters remained in production for decades. - Buffalo Meter was absorbed into American Meter Company (AMCO) in 1958

🏚️ Decline & Departure from Main Street (1969–1970)

By the late 1960s, the multi‑level factory was considered outdated and the production ceased. Buffalo Meter vacated the Main Street building in 1969 or 1970.

The building was later purchased by the University at Buffalo and renamed Bethune Hall and is preserved as an iconic building.

🧬 Legacy of the Niagara Meter

The Niagara meter is historically significant because:

- It was one of the earliest mass‑produced disc meters in the U.S.

- It used zinc‑coated cast iron for corrosive water — innovative for its time

- It remained in service for decades

- It is preserved in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History