The Cape — a 1940’s update of 17th century Cape Cod originals — was the single most popular house type of the 20th century. Reviled at first, the Cape has come to be seen as a canny use of historical associations and easy adaptability.

Close on the heels of the Cape came the ranch house.  In Green Acres, the Ranch gained the carport and Jetsons-like detailing. The houses which haven’t been changed much have acquired an endearing wackiness

Starting in the northern reaches of the City of Buffalo, in effect a pre-Depression suburb. we cross a temporal flux at Kenmore Avenue: everything jumps to the post-war period, a different zone altogether.

We’ll explore the retail scene, too, from vestigial strip plazas built in the era before Suburban Man lost his legs, to the huge Power Centers of large developers and national chains. Here is your chance to get into Capes before Capes become cool. Who knows, you might turn into a Cape crusader.

1:00pm. 2-hr. bus tour.

Meet South Campus Station, Main St. near Niagara Falls Blvd.