We’ve organized Field Notes by the four points of the Main Street Approach. These correspond with the four elements of real estate value – Economic, Physical, Civic, and Social.
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Downtown Areas We Have Visited
Main Street America Weekly (2025)
Downtown – Lambertville, New Jersey
In 1778, Lambertville was the colonial river crossing village known as Coryell's Ferry. During the Revolution the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River from Pennsylvania and camped here from June 2022, 1778, on their way to the battle at Monmouth. St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church has an impressive...
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Downtown – Montclair, New Jersey
The Lackawana Railroad terminal building has been creatively repurposed with a barbeque restaurant and bar. The Montclair Center BID is responsible for revitalization efforts in Montclair. The Montclair Historic Preservation Commission prepared these markers to help people familiarize themselves with historic properties in town. Large scale new development is relatively...
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Downtown – Rahway, New Jersey
This handsome station and plaza are a common sight for commuters. One needs to walk a few blocks away to see some exciting things happening. These way-finding signs offer an important amenity, especially for first time visitors. Given their significant size, a missed opportunity is to have something on the...
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Downtown – Occoquan, Virginia
This cast concrete block building on the edge of town makes use of this distinctive building material. Upon entering town this skinny vernacular cottage caught our attention for the detailed spindle work. The town of Occoquan originated in 1758 when John Ballentine built his home Rockledge. Grist mills, a foundry,...
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Hoboken Walking Tour – Hoboken, New Jersey
From the train sheds it is a short walk into the station. Whereas other stations are functional, this one is attractive to bringing people in like kings and queens. Warrington Plaza recognizes the planner who helped to start the NJ Transit system with the Hoboken station as the first property....
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Downtown – Atlantic City, New Jersey
The entrance into Atlantic City gives a nice sense of arrival with these vertical pylons with stylized letters. A cluster of national chain stores makes it clear this is a shopping destination. The Nike store has pride of place while turning the corner towards the major resorts on the shore....
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Downtown – Cranford, New Jersey
Cleveland Plaza is a level of architectural intervention unusual for an older building. The canopy on steel and reinforced concrete armature gives a neat hat atop this structure. I was fortunate to get a peek into St. Michaels church down the block. The stained glass, while narrow and compact, had...
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Downtown – Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River proudly displays how they are one of approximately two dozen Main Street New Jersey communities in the state on the entry signage to their downtown. As the county seat for Ocean County there is a preponderance of offices here for the county, the Municipality, various organizations, and many...
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Downtown – Cocoa Beach, Florida
Ron Jon Surf Shop is the undisputed anchor for Cocoa Beach. There are a number of other businesses - both bars and restaurants - that contribute to a festive atmosphere downtown. Area142 is an outdoor performing arts venue with a private bar space for more contained activities. The "Downtown Cocoa...
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Downtown – Hamilton, Ontario
Martello on James St N with streetscape. Wild Orchid Restaurant with feature wall. Ongoing programming attracts people to the area. Layered street signage with blade sign, banners, wayfinding, and street art. Christ's Church Cathedral began in 1835 as a parish church. William Thomas expanded with the addition of a stone...
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Downtown – Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn has an ideal location, close to New York City and at the foot of the South Mountain Reservation. There are many assets here including the Paper Mill Playhouse and the Greenwood Gardens not too far away from the downtown. Here are a few highlights from a recent visit. Fantastical...
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Old City – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Museum of the American Revolution Crucial moments in the American Revolution are told through artifacts and interpretive text. Of particular interest to us as people living in New Jersey was the section documenting Washington's retreat from November 1776. Washington wrote that he had "not above 3,000 men, and they very...
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Chelsea – New York City, New York
9th Ave and West 22nd St. Guardian Angel Roman Catholic Church. Lantern House. Marketed as "the bay window reinvented." Chelsea Market.
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