These Top Companies Have Western New York Roots

Buffalo and Western New York have a storied history among the best places to live in the United States.

We all know about the stories that Buffalo once had more millionaires living within its borders per capita than any other city in the nation, with most of them living in and around millionaires row.

That history-rich history for Buffalo also applies to some great businesses. You'd be amazed by the great nationally and internally known companies that can trace their roots back to the 716.

Carrier Air Conditioner Company of America

The world-renowned cooling and air conditioningthat was founded by Willis Carrier in Syracuse actually got its start as a subsidiary of Buffalo Forge Company. Carrier, who was an engineer for Buffalo Forge Company for many years, partnered with some other engineers from Buffalo Forge to expand upon some designs he was working on. So the next time you turn on your AC on a hot summer day, make sure you thank Mr. Carrier and Buffalo who helped make you more comfortable.

Delaware North

If are you into downtown Buffalo, then you've seen their worldwide headquarters building. Delaware North, which got its start as Jacobs Brothers, was founded in Buffalo by three brothers: Marvin, Charles, and Louis Jacobs, and has grown to be one of the largest food service and hospitality companies in the world. In addition to these activities, Delaware North also owns the Boston Bruins NHL team and the TD Garden, the arena where the Bruins play in Boston's West End neighborhood.

Wells Fargo

Two young men with deep Buffalo roots were looking for ways to capitalize on the nation's western expansion in the early 1850s. During that time, Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, who were already parters in another express mail company based in Buffalo, partnered together to create another company, Wells Fargo & Company, which began to offer express mail, shipping and banking services to California during California Gold Rush. There was lots of competition at the time to make money in the growing west. Over time that has evolved into the third largest bank in America.

American Express

Before Henry Wells and William G. Fargo started Wells Fargo in 1852, they were already operating a successful express service that delivered parcels and packages, and offered banking, all along the eastern regions of the United States. The partners created Wells Fargo to focus on the west, which then allowed American Express to focus on the east and grow into the worldwide financial services company that lots of people use. Every time I use my American Express Card, I think about the fact that it exists because of Buffalo.