Row homes were a very important for of housing in Perkasie.These homes could be built economically and allowed for the housing of numerous families on a relatively small amount of property. Row homes were the ideal home of the times. Most of these row homes were built in the early 1900's as homes for workers in local business such as.cigar manufacturing firms

The earliest row homes in Perkasie are across from the old train station on Eighth Street between Market and Chestnut Streets. They feature high pitched (angled) dormers with gothic arched (pointed) windows. Other windows on these buildings are rectangular in shape.

This 1902 photo of the snowplow train in Perkasie shows the row homes at left.		Here is a similar view of the row homes today at 12 - 20 S. Eighth Street from the railroad tracks.

The distinctive dormer on the front of these homes make them unique row homes in Perkasie.		The upper forms of the building appear original. A variety of porch heights and different styles of posts suggest that the forms have been altered from the original design on the first floor. These homes are located at 18 (left to right), 16, and 14 S. Eighth Street.

Many row homes still remain in Perkasie in the year 2000. In addition to the Eighth Street row homes there are row homes in Perkasie as follows: Ninth Street (between Park Avenue and Spruce Street), Ninth Street (between Market & Arch Streets ), Ninth Street (between Arch & Race Streets), Fourth Street (between Chestnut & Market Streets - both sides of the Street), Third Street (between Chestnut and Market Street), Chestnut Street (between Third & Fourth Streets), Race Street - on both sides of the Street (between Fourth & Fifth Streets and Third & Fourth Streets), and Vine Street (between Fifth & Sixth Streets). Some of these homes maintain their original appearance on the exterior while others have altered the original features (especially decorative details) significantly.

PRESERVATION- Preservation means keeping or maintaining a house, its yard, and history for future generations to enjoy.

RENOVATION - is similar to remodeling meaning to modernize a building without necessarily attempting to retain or preserve its significant form.

By looking at row homes or twin homes very carefully we can often find a home that maintains its original features and another that has been changed or renovated significantly. An individual wishing to restore (return to the original appearance) can find clues in other buildings that were built during the same time period. In the case of row homes and twin homes, the exact building can often be used as a reference. We will compare examples of such details below with the row homes located on Fourth Street in Perkasie.

This dormer shows the original brickwork (top) with arched pattern and stone around the windows. The roof overhang or soffits (at right) appear original while they have been enclosed at left.		This dormer shows a window at (left) that has been covered by the siding. The new siding seen on both sides of the dormer covers over the original brickwork.
Porch details are difficult to maintain because they are labor intensive to maintain. Simple porch columns, rails & balusters, and decorative bargeboard (above entrance) are in the original style. Traditional lattice panels appear below the porch.		Here is another porch at 28 S. Fourth Street with most of the period ornamentation removed. The columns remain in place, but the bargeboard, and rails and balusters have been removed totally. A cement wall unit obscures the area below the porch.