Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the architectural history of Jamestown, New York. New York’s small cities are little-known treasure troves of American history. Among them, Jamestown stands out with a memorable and engaging cityscape highlighted by steep hills, brick streets, a remarkably intact city center, and numerous buildings of historical and architectural interest. Peter A. Lombardi’s Jamestown, New York chronicles the development of this Southern Tier city’s built environment over two-hundred years—from a frontier outpost, to a leading maker of furniture and textiles, to a reenergized postindustrial city. Part one provides a short history of Jamestown, emphasizing the economic and social forces that have influenced the city’s architecture and development patterns. Part two includes detailed entries on more than one hundred buildings and sites, with maps to facilitate walking and driving tours. This comprehensive guide to New York’s Pearl City illuminates the stories behind the buildings, connecting Jamestown’s past and present to the evolution of urban America. “Jamestown, New York tells the story of Jamestown, a typical northeastern American city, through the architectural landscape that exists today. Peter gives the reader the tools to interpret clues hidden in plain sight about Jamestown’s growth, decline, and revitalization. He also ties national trends and issues into the Jamestown story. The book is easy to read, informative, and immediately applicable for novices and experts alike.” — Joni Blackman, Director, Fenton History Center