North Tonawanda, New York

North Tonawanda is located midway between the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls in upstate New York. Incorporated in 1897, the city, which has a population of around 33,000, is bordered on the south and east by the Erie Canal and on the west by the Niagara and Little Rivers. North Tonawanda is nicknamed "The Lumber City" after its most prominent industry of previous decades. The legacy of the lumber companies can be seen in the historic mansions which line Goundry Street. Today, commerce in North Tonawanda is a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and other service industries.

North Tonawanda was settled in 1809, becoming part of the town of Wheatfield in 1836. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected the town to Buffalo, Albany and the Great Lakes region, making transport of goods and raw materials profitable, and prompting the growth of North Tonawanda's signature industry: lumber. Between the mid-19th century and the 1970s, more than 150 companies produced lumber and wood products in North Tonawanda. The Herschell-Spillman Company manufactured carousels and amusement park rides until the 1950s. An offshoot of that company, North Tonawanda Barrel Organ, was acquired by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Manufacturing Company in 1909, and would go on to become a world-famous manufacturer of organs and musical instruments. Other businesses thrived as well, including Niagara Silk Mills, Durez Plastics and Chemicals, Inc. and Tonawanda Iron & Steel Company. Like many cities in the northern "rust belt" area, manufacturing declined in the late 20th century. Local employers today include Armstrong Pumps, Inc., DeGraff Memorial Hospital, and Confer Plastics, Inc.

North Tonawanda has a long history of manufacturing and construction, which place it in a high risk category for asbestos exposure. Workers exposed to asbestos may be at risk for mesothelioma cancer. For your convenience, we have listed mesothelioma cancer centers located in or near North Tonawanda at the bottom of this page. Asbestos attorneys may also be able to assist you if you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in North Tonawanda.

Jobsites in North Tonawanda where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in North Tonawanda, NY have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near North Tonawanda, NY

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of North Tonawanda, NY. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.