Inspired by a reporter who recently paid a visit to Buffalo, and commented on how flabbergasted she was as she took in the colorful splendor of the city’s housing stock, I have decided to create a photo journal of a series of streets.
Reminiscent of the old “Steel” house montages that appeared on BRO back in the early days, this series is mostly taken from a casual observation standpoint, and not a historic critique of the respective neighborhood. I am hoping to cover a different street each week, taking photos of the houses, the gardens, and other objects of interest that tie a street together. The shots might depict the way the sun hits a particular home, a city flag flying from a facade, or a paint job underway.
These might not necessarily be the best houses according to how pricey or intact the structures look at the time. The image could reflect my mood, the weather, or the way an old tree accents the home. There will even be some ‘bookend’ structures highlighted that don’t actually front the street in question, but add to the strength of the street as a whole. The purpose of the exercise is to show the diversity of the structures, and the way they collectively tell a story of the city.
Johnson Park is filled with an awesome array of houses. This once derelict park, the first in Buffalo by the way, is now one of the most desirable places to live in the city. A stroll around the park is a jaw-dropping experience. Along with the beautiful houses, the park is home to Hutch-Tech and the New Phoenix Theatre. Over the past few years we have seen the park rebound, with a bunch of houses refurbished. That trend continues today, as you will see by taking a peek at the images below. I was happy to see a couple of pink flamingo lawn ornaments in one of the garden patches. Don Featherstone, the inventor, passed away a couple of days ago.
Also see:
Ashland Avenue (between Summer and Bryant)
