Great post, Steel. As someone who owns a de-porched house, I long for the day that we can rebuild it. Full, usable porches (as opposed to useless ornamental porch-ettes) are one of the primary ingredients that turns a collection of free-standing houses into a neighborhood.

A street of de-porched houses, or houses that never had them to begin with, feels vaguely anti-social in ways that just might have real-life consequences when it comes to nuisance crimes like carpoppings. I don't know that there is a statistical connection, only that I wouldn't be surprised if someone found one.

These details are so beautiful! They make the ordinary extraordinary and add such a personal touch to each house. Is there anyone who still mills these great details in our area? Could there be a way that you know of to recreate and market such details? This looks like a great business opportunity. I believe that home buyers are looking for indiviual touches that can make their homes special. I have to assume that there is a carpenters union who might be able to train young crafstman and sell these pediments all over the country, hopefully with some sort of reference to Buffalo in the name or the marketing.

There's just as many painted ones as gray/white...When originally installed- where they painted to bring out the details? Or was it owner preference from the get-go. Just curious.

The more frilly decorations in those peaks were usually made of "composition" which consisted of sawdust and glue or shellac. There are new versions being manufactured today, using plastics and resins.

Where is picture #21 located? I know I've walked past recently, I just can't place it. Looks beautiful...

#21 is in Allentown on a little park. I think it is called Arlington Park?

Richard Hatch house, 60 Arlingtion

http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/arl/60/index.html