How, James and Fanny, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1924 on St. Catherine's Court, a cul-de-sac north of downtown Buffalo, this Tudor Revival house was designed by Harold L. Olmsted for James and Fanny How. It has three blocks: a two-and-one-half-story front section, a one-story connecting link, and a two-story rear wing. The walls are painted stucco over brick and structural tile, under a steeply pitched slate roof with polygonal brick chimneys. Gothic-inspired cast iron balustrades, leaded glass casements and a pointed arch front door give the exterior its character. Inside, the plan and finishes remain largely original, including a curved stair hall, a palm room with a working fountain, and a large play room with a beamed ceiling. A fireproof attached garage with a steel turntable reflects 1920s attitudes toward the automobile. The house was listed for its architecture. It is a rare, intact example of the style in Buffalo and one of few buildings Olmsted designed from the ground up.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding, intact example of Tudor Revival domestic architecture in Buffalo (Criterion C). It is also one of the few buildings designed entirely by Harold L. Olmsted, who mostly worked on renovations. Its exterior and interior retain a high level of period integrity, and its setting on a cul-de-sac with other revival houses adds to its significance.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000415, listed May 23, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 41 St. Catherine's Crt., Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | May 23, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000415 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924 - ca. 1934 |
| Architect / builder | Architect: Harold L. Olmsted |
| Architectural style | 20th Century Revival/Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as having undergone few alterations since 1924 and being in excellent condition; used as a single dwelling with an attached garage. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | Delaware Park-Front Park System |
| Coordinates | 42.91638, -78.87412 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000415.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6146004
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.