Eyota, Minnesota, USA

Defining Main Street: The City Hall. If a place is incorporated under the laws of the state, it must have a municipal building. In the case of cities, these administrative headquarters are probably called city halls. In the past, their architecture was almost always meant to command respect. What to you think of the Eyota city hall's public face? [2019]

Harrington, Delaware, USA

Welcome to Geography Awareness Week: It's time to appreciate maps on the landscape! Everyone has grown just a tad tired of seeing so many yard signs, but at least they're disappearing now that election season is over. Have you noticed how many use a map? Why? What's the iconic value of an outline map of Delaware as an election prop? [2022]

Burlington, Vermont, USA

In the context of the 1990s: Democracy was a jigsaw puzzle with some new pieces in Eastern Europe, but we had faith that the pieces would eventually fit together seamlessly. In the context of the 2020s: Democracy is still a jigsaw puzzle, but many countries are struggling to keep the pieces from falling apart. That would include the United States. [1995]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Seventeen states have already enacted laws that put restrictions on voting. Many in the Wisconsin legislature hope to follow suit, with eleven bills, most of which target absentee voting. None have yet passed, so maybe Milwaukee's new mural will change some minds. Thank you Shepard Fairey! Recognize the name of the muralist? [2021]

Patagonia, Arizona, USA

 

If you're proud of your community, get its name out there. Put it on the landscape, and take every opportunity to cement that name in the minds of visitors and glorify that name in the minds of residents. Whether you are in Patagonia or elsewhere, seeing a place name should release a shot of dopamine to activate the pleasure sensors of the brain. [1988]

Woodstown, New Jersey, USA

Hope springs eternal. At least some of these ubiquitous yard signs are clever. Now, let's hope they all disappear. Maybe we should think creatively about non-election yard signs that emphasize unity over division. [2020]

Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, USA

American Gun Culture ~ Exhibit F:  Your hometown shooting range is also "your second amendment connection." Where is Glen Rock's Freedom Armory located? On Second Amendment Drive. So often, the American landscape reflects the values that are nearest and dearest to our hearts. Right? [2006]

Dillon, Montana, USA

 

It is time to elect a President who will make us proud to be Americans again. The one we have now is an embarrassment. He lies, humiliates, bullies, blabs, and bullshits. That became even clearer after this week's painful-to-watch debate. Please: Make America Proud Again. Elect Democrats up and down the ticket. [2020]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Down with their statues: That would include the commanding figure of 1970s Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo, whose commitment to what was called law-and-order was legend. Today, that commitment is known as racism. In the wake of Black Lives Matter demonstrations, the statue was removed before it could become a target of further vandalism. [2017]

Jackson, Ohio, USA

Let's take a moment to honor the Governors of our fifty states for their leadership in bringing us through the corona virus pandemic. No matter how bad it gets, it would have been even worse were it not for these men and women and their able lieutenants. When this has all passed, perhaps we should build one memorial to all fifty. [2016]

Denver, Colorado, USA

Like Nostradamus (yes, think Russia), we know the outcome of the impeachment and trial (if it happens at all), so all we can do is look forward to the elections next year and hope for a President (and a Congress) we can be proud of again. [2019]

Prescott, Arizona, USA

Impeach Him! Oh, sorry, wrong president. And what was the case against Obama only a month after he had taken office in 2009? Can't remember, can you? On the other hand, the case against his successor has been laid out with factual clarity and now presented for all to judge. Like Nostradamus (think: Russia), though, we know what the outcome will be. [2009]

Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

It's an off-year election, but the polls are open for local races from Selectmen in Massachusetts to prothonotaries in Pennsylvania to Chosen Freeholders in New Jersey to Soil and Water Supervisors in Minnesota to Police Jurors in Louisiana to school board members everywhere. So, delay no longer: Go Vote! [2010]

Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

What would George Ferris think if he came back today and saw what had become of his invention, the Ferris Wheel? It has become universally loved and seems to always be in fashion. The first Ferris Wheel appeared at the World Columbian Expositon in Chicago in 1893. [2009]

Lima, Ohio, USA

Don't worry! The Lima Fire Department has more modern engines than that. In fact, this one is an optical illusion. The cab of an antique engine has been grafted onto the firehouse as a visual reminder of the past. [2001]

New York, New York, USA

You may be in Long Island City, but you are served by FDNY, which is the largest fire department in the United States and out-sized only by Tokyo's. This engine house was built in 1932. [2012]

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Government-run fire departments appeared on the scene around the time of the Civil War, but the first fire company goes back to 1736 in Philadelphia. When Charleston built this engine house in 1887, it was at a time when governments used architecture to brag about their abilities to provide public services like fire fighting. [2008]

Laurens, South Carolina, USA

In many states, this is the day before primary and local elections, so don't forget to vote! We need to rebuild our democracy, and there is no better place to start than in your own community. [2006]

Louisburg, North Carolina, USA

We should have known something was wrong in 2016 when the Republican headquarters in Franklin County (and lots of other places) would not dare show a poster supporting their own Presidential contender. Today, they are die-hard supporters of their President. Go figure. [2016]

Washington, DC, USA

May Day! May Day! The Time has finally come. Please give us our government back. Please give us our lives back. Impeach! Impeach! We knew it was going to be bad. We didn't know it was going to be this bad. [2018]