Elk Street Series:

First Ward "Boys in the 'Hood"

These stylishly-dressed friends gathered on the stoop of 360 Elk Street (now called South Park in this area) c. 1915 after a game
of baseball; note the gloves and ball in the center at their feet. Four of the five are identified as follows: Bill Dent,
Mike Scanlon, Tom Reidy, and John Collins. Notice the deep cuffs on their trousers, the very thin four-in-hand ties with tie tacks
and a couple of ties with an extra button near the knot, the watch fobs, and the 1.5-inch heels on their shoes. Even their pose is
artfully created, but their looks tell us they are enjoying their youth and taking none of this too seriously. They have the
confidence of modern "boys in the hood."

Thanks to Sister Pat Collins for lending this engaging photo. Her father, John Collins, is one of the young men above.
If you have an interesting old family photo from Buffalo's past that you would like to lend, please let us know.

360 South Park Avenue (formerly Elk Street) in 2004. The clapboard structure behind the young men has been supplanted by
these brick apartment buildings Only one or two of the residential/business structures from the early 20th century remain
in this area.

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