The Buffalo Theatre District in downtown Buffalo, New York, United States, is the center of Buffalo's theater scene and draws Broadway shows that are in preview stage or on tour. It is bounded roughly by Washington, Tupper, Pearl and Chippewa Streets. There were over 50 theaters in the district in the early 20th C., when the city was called the "Gateway to the West", and served by railroads and the new Erie Canal. In the 1950s, growth reversed into a decline, after the Welland Canal was opened thru Canada. By 1978 the district was over 65% vacant.