Just a few blocks away from the Capitol Market in Charleston is the East End Bazaar. While it doesn’t look like much, this market space serves a valuable function supporting farmers and makers. The low-cost and temporary looking structures here are the exact opposite of the Capitol Market. Both serve an important function contributing to … Read more
Charleston, West Virginia, is fortunate to have not one but two markets downtown. The traditional Capitol Market is an enclosed building with a long central hall and vendors to either side. Originally this was built after the Kanawha and Michigan Railroad built a rail yard on Smith Street. After falling into disrepair, the market was … Read more
The dancing fountain is a focal point of Campus Martius Park. Movable chairs give flexibility and freedom for people to sit wherever they want to. The large lawn is a natural gathering place between many of the largest buildings in the CBD. This sizable street leading towards Campus Martius Park has ample space should the … Read more
MASS MoCA is the jewel of North Adams attracting people in search of contemporary art. Going around town there are ample signs of an emerging arts scene from galleries, to theater, to public art. Mills are an important part of the identity of North Adams. These posters in a door describe several of them – … Read more
As most visitors to Stamford, Connecticut might attest, this is a city and downtown in search of its center and whose history is not immediately apparent. Founded in the 17th century, very few relics from the colonial era and 18th and 19th century heritage are present. This issue is put into stark contrast by a … Read more
Easton, Maryland, is located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake, 90 minutes by car from Washington, D.C. The Easton Main Street program in recent years appears to have been at the forefront of promoting Easton. According to their website, approximately 75,000 people are attracted to the Easton area each year through “producing and sponsoring … Read more
In 2007, an effort was made to encourage civic unity in the communities lining the 26 mile long Woodward Avenue between downtown Detroit and Pontiac. Citizens gathered and held hands. While a continuous line was not possible, there were many spirited pockets. The Madam Cadillac dance company added to the sense of historic happening with … Read more
Probably the most impressive historic building in Almont is the First Congregational Church. The prominent tower and spire, steeply pitched roof, and wall buttresses all combine to create a strong architectural statement. Downtown Almont is fortunate to have a number of attractive two and three-story brick buildings. A handful have been covered up with a … Read more
Cascadilla Gorge Trail runs through downtown Ithaca, New York and connects directly to the Cornell University campus. Managed as part of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, this specific cascade is one of several picturesque multi-tiered rock waterfalls carved out of ancient bedrock along Cascadilla Creek. The trail features historic stone steps and pathways built in the late 1920s … Read more
View looking south along Biddle Ave. The Grind was a popular coffee shop. In the foreground are motorcycles. Regularly people would ride into Wyandotte and light up their bikes along Biddle Ave. The large building in the center background is the Sears Building. Many years later this would be redeveloped and given a new skin, … Read more