20 Buffalo Street

This house is an unusual circa 1850 Greek Revival style building with twin broken pediment gable roofed sections facing the street. In 1850 it was owned by John Axford, who with brother William built, the first crude store in 1838. "Soon after, the Axford brothers built a frame house for a store-room." (Heritage pg. 20). The tax records of 1852 cited this lot and the one directly to the west bordering on Main St. as being occupied together for a store and dwelling. So this was one of Clarkston's earliest houses. The 1872 Map of the Village shows the footprint of the house, then, owner Clark Crosby. Crosby was a business owner and a board member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Frank Walter, owner of Frank Walter and Son Dry Goods, 5 S. Main, purchased the home about 1915 and lived there until his death in 1929, when son, Manley, inherited it. Long used as a two family dwelling, the house was converted to single family use in the 1980s. The garage at the rear of the property was also constructed then. Typical of the Midwestern adaptation of the Greek Revival style are the wide entablatures with broken pediments; the low-pitched gable roof; and the front door treatment with engaged pilasters supporting a lintel, and sidelights framing the door.