02/10/08 12:27 - 33ºF - ID#43265

The Genesee Hotel Suicide 1942

I've been intrigued by old photographs of the area for years. I love anything having to do with the Pan American Exposition from 1901 and finding out the background information on photos and maps of the way things used to look.
I recently found this picture.

I was amazed when I saw it and at first thought it might be a fake. I think I stared at it for a full 5 minutes without realizing it.
Needless to say, I was compelled to find out more about it.

An acquaintance of mine posted it with only the information, "NY, 1942, accidental shot". I figured it was from NYC, so I started trying to look it up there. I quickly learned that it is a famous picture from 1942 by I. Russel Sorgi, who worked for the Buffalo Courier Express. It is known as "The Genesee Hotel Suicide" or "The Despondent Divorcee."

I continued searching and found an explanation by the photographer:

"I snatched my camera from the car and took two quick shots as she seemed to hesitate...As quickly as possible I shoved the exposed film into the case and reached for a fresh holder. I no sooner had pulled the slide out and got set for another shot than she waved to the crowd below and pushed herself into space. Screams and shouts burst from the horrified onlookers as her body plummeted toward the street. I took a firm grip on myself, waited until the woman passed the second or third story, and then shot." Sorgi 1942

After learning about the situation surrounding this captured second in time, you begin to notice details aside from the main subject. Notice the police woman (maybe a meter maid?) running in the front door of the Hotel. Notice the man sitting in the window of the coffee shop, wondering what is going on. Imagine how his life changed the second after this picture was snapped.
It's crazy to think about.

I found that The Genesee Hotel sat at 530 Main Street from 1882 to 1922. Not sure what is there now. Knowing Buffalo and all the wonderful architecture here, it's probably looks quite similar to this photo. Anyone know? Maybe I'll remember to check when I'm in the area.

joe writes at 11:39:51 10/19/16 - Comment #73049: Time travel.

No, (e:Paul) and I were at a banquet there with (e:Terry) and paul thought the Hyatt was it.

The entrance on main says something about Genesee and hotel so I thought it was it too, but I looked it up and it is demolished. Oops.

mike writes at 11:30:59 10/19/16 - Comment #73048: how are you there now? Isn't it knocked down?

joe writes at 08:19:38 10/19/16 - Comment #73046: I'm in this hotel now. (E:Paul) and I were just talking about this. I think it's kind of messed up that the photographer's first thought was to go grab the camera. But I think most people would have the same thought today.

paul writes at 02:50:28 01/11/13 - Comment #69108: Thats great. Message me if you need any help.

Steeluser writes at 11:52:07 01/10/13 - Comment #69107: I came across this website while searching for information on the 1942 Genesse Hotel Suicide. I have the origional photograph, including another after she hit the pavement. The buffalo Police Officer with his back to the camara is my grandfather. The date was May 7, 1942, and my grandfather was a member of the department's mounted squad. On that day, he was assigned a traffic post near the hotel. A crowd of approximately 2000 people had gathered to watch while my grandfather attempted to talk her off the ledge. My grandfather was attempting to get people
Back into the hotel because the fire department was pulling up. Once the woman saw the fire truck, she jumped from the ledge. I will attempt to post the other picture when I get a chance. This photograph came in second for the Pulitzer Price for 1942. It was also in numerous magazines, including Life Magazine, as well as magazines all around the world.

libertad writes at 07:22:54 02/10/08 - Comment #31535: This photo is amazing, but I never actually experienced it while living in Buffalo. Actually, it wasn't until you posted it that I actually realized it was from Buffalo. The strangest part of the photo is that she doesn't even look scared even a little. It is the most peaceful looking thing ever. It makes you wonder what kind of state she really was in. Was she on drugs or just so through with life that she was actually relieved to be ending it all?