Discusses the development of the U.S. suburb as a new "crabgrass frontier," settled by mid-nineteenth century city dwellers seeking an escape from increasing industrialization and immigration. Cites the transportation revolution and major technological innovations in home building as factors in development of the suburbs. (LS)

Reviews suburbanization of United States, created by assembly line construction, wartime housing shortages, and federal mortgage subsidies. States earlier scholars viewed suburban migration as a solution to urban overcrowding, whereas later scholars examined suburbs as symbolic of U.S. values and conformity, insulated from problems of U.S. cities.…