Suburbs

While many of the houses along Millersport Highway and its side streets resemble the “tiny boxes,” many are also larger. Hayden discusses how developers like Levitt and Sons promoted the idea of sweat equity. The standardized homes of the sitcom suburbs could be altered to better fit each family. Men (presumably) could add garages or convert attics to better suit their families. This may explain why some of the houses in these neighborhoods don’t fit into the “tiny boxes” scheme. On Rosedale Boulavard, for example, you see both cape cods and ranches as well as larger two story homes. The streets are wide, clearly made for residents with cars. The large lots with big front yards and setbacks are also tell-tale signs of the sitcom suburbs. The suburbs were envisioned and marketed as land and a house, not a community.

What I find to be the most interesting about these Sitcom Suburbs is how builders and developers can basically sell a lifestyle to people without them even realizing the manipulation. It’s hard to imagine that these suburbs, developed as standardized homes with virtually no public services, could become so popular. The lack of planning in these suburbs is evident. Like we have discussed previously, families bought into the triple dream of house, land, and community. However, in these sitcom suburbs, the desire for community gave way to a consumerist desire for accumulation of household goods. Hayden points out that “life in the 1950s imitated art-- as seen on tv.”Sitcoms and commercials furthered the idea of all-white suburbs as the only place for families to live. Sitcom suburbs were also advertised as the epitome of the American way. However, most of the developers were opposed to union labor, instead looking for the cheapest possible production methods. The streets around Millersport Highway provide an example of what many families were buying into durning the war/post-war housing explosion.

University Heights Styles

Although I've lived in the Heights for two years now, I have never gone out of my way to think about the architecture. The first thing that most people notice about the area is the lack of upkeep on many of the college houses. However, the styles of the houses tell a story about this area beyond that of neglectful students and landlords.

I mostly noticed the 'Buffalo Doubles' and American Foursquare. The Buffalo architecture website gives some background about early housing endeavors. The "industrial vernacular style" came about as an improved form of worker housing. I would assume that many of the houses in the heights were built in the early 1900s for working families. The second story could either be used to keep families close together or for an income opportunity if rented out.

 Many of the houses around south campus have the second story balcony which I haven't seen in many other cities. I was having trouble deciphering between what would be considered a 'Buffalo Double' and an American Foursquare. What I determined was that the American Foursquare have open first floor porches while the Buffalo Doubles have enclosed first story porches.

The house above to the left would be a Buffalo Double while the one to the right would be an American Foursquare. I noticed some interesting roof angles on some of the houses. The house above to the left has what I believe is termed a hipped roof with sloping on four sides.

Both of the houses above also have interesting roof lines that are almost flat on top. 

One house I noticed that stood out to me was the one below.

The house appears to be sideways, with the front door on the right side of the house. I had a hard time figuring this one out...maybe Federal?? It looks like a lot of the detailing could have been lost over the years. 

Overall, the Heights appears to be an early working class neighborhood for families looking for better housing options.