Carmi, Illinois, USA

What's that salience? (a) a beach ball, (b) a tourist attraction, (c) a hot air balloon, (d) Old Glory's stripes draped over a sphere, (e) a baby's rattle, (f) a welcome sign, (g) an example of toponymic semiotics, (h) a branding iron, (i) a water tower. More than one answer may be correct. [2022]

Grayville, Illinois, USA

What's the message of the water tower? Grayville's not so gray! It's colorful: right down to the showy red maple nearby. If Grayville were on the coast, you might think of a beach ball. You also might think it mirrored two trends: (1) using water towers as branding irons, and (2) using tessellations (this time on a sphere) to make a statement. [2022]

New Bern, North Carolina, USA

Whether we are talking about sculpture, murals, or the Google Chrome home page, tessellations seem to be in favor right now. What's that say about society? Stay within the lines. Nothing should be blurred. Boundaries should be sharp. Voices should be bold. Meeting points should be many. Harmony should triumph despite differences. [2021]

Ocean City, Maryland, USA

In Ocean City, the power of place is generated by the beach. That power is amplified by the public art that is featured on at least one of the city's power boxes. What else is used to amplify the power of place? Hint: Focus on the horizon. [2021]

Ocean City, Maryland, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! A town's economic base can inspire artistic creativity. Let other community's take note: Water towers don't have to be blank slates. Give them a job to do building the spirit of place. Be sure to see yesterday's post. [2021]
 

Tipton, Missouri, USA

February is all about the number two, and 2/22 is a palindrome too! A billiard ball towering above a Dutch bakery: That makes sense since billiards was brought to America by the Dutch. But the water tower was inspired by the town's economic base: The Fischer Manufacturing Co. built billiard tables. Be sure to see tomorrow's post. [2015]

Osseo, Minnesota, USA

It's only a row of storefronts along the town's main street. What sets it apart? A water tower with the town's name in all caps. Other towns may have water towers, but there is only one town named Osseo. Maybe Osseo could add some pole banners that exploit the name of the town as well. Oh, wait, they already did! [2021]

Gurley, Nebraska, USA

 
What you might be witnessing here is a wheat glut: too much for the grain silos and not enough market demand to reduce the size of the gluten mountains that have added some relief to rail-side topography. Evidence that it has been here for a while: rill erosion turning into gully erosion. Gurley finds itself on the western edge of the Great Plains Wheat Belt. [2019]

Ellendale, North Dakota, USA

Ellendale's population peaked in 1980 at less than 2,000. Surprise: Stores along main street are still occupied! Where do the customers come from in a town so small? The True Value dealer's displays tell you. They come from farms and villages all around to stock up on hardware or buy a new lawn mower. [2021]

Brodnax, Virginia, USA

To escape the reach of the great god Corona, everyone is social distancing. But it is not appropriate in all circumstances, as the RZUA Church wants you to know. RZUA? Reformed Zion Union Apostolic. It's a pentecostal church that dates back to 1869, and here it is in its home territory. [2020]

Montfort, Wisconsin, USA

 

If you're proud of your community, get its name out there. Put it where everyone can see it. Water towers are perfect. In fact, every water tower in the world should proudly proclaim pride in the place that erected it. Let Montfort set the example. [2019]

Bensalem, Pennsylvania, USA

♫ These Are a Few of My Favorite Things ♫ ~ Water Towers: Water towers (and water tanks) work hand-in-hand with the spirit of place. They can make residents feel proud and visitors feel welcome, and also lift your spirits by lifting your gaze above the horizon. In residence here: the patriotic muse, the history muse, and the toponymic muse. [2018]

Stratford, Dumas, and Abernathy, Texas, USA

Arrows like these are all over the Texas panhandle. They are part of the Quanah Parker Trail and call attention to the heritage of the Comanche, the "lords of the plains" before the Anglo ranchers arrived. The arrow maker was Charles Smith, and his sculptures are sometimes the most artistic element of a town's landscape. [2017, 2017, 2016]

Strong City, Oklahoma, USA

Strong City is a city in name (see it?) only. It offers strong proof that a city can be rural. Why rural? Because it does not meet the 2,500 population minimum set by the U.S. Census Bureau. In fact, its population never reached even half of that, not even in 1900 when it peaked. Today, only a few more than 400 souls keep the "city" alive. [2018]

Covington, Louisiana, USA

We began the month in Covington, so we might as well end it in Covington. But, we haven't come full circle. The month dawned in Covington, Kentucky, and now ends in Covington, Louisiana. Someone, however, seems to want us to salute Covingtons everywhere. Who is that man competing with the water tower for attention? [2018]

Muleshoe, Texas, USA

Sometimes a community's best asset is its name: Take Muleshoe, for instance. With a name like that, you just know visitors will remember being there. And, you just know who everyone will be watching play football on Friday nights: The Muleshoe Mules. [2018]

Ruston, Louisiana, USA

Nothing warms the cockles of a geographer's heart more than finding a map on the landscape. Here, it is held up proudly for all to see. What can you do in your community to make the ordinary extraordinary, to make the unnoticed noticed, to make the utilitarian aesthetic? [2018]

Adair, Iowa, USA

Because of the town's water tower, everyone in Adair wakes up happy every morning. Here is a salience with a name and a face to give it personality: just like you. What gives your community personality? What puts a smile on your face every day? Just like you. [2008]

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, USA

The easiest element of branding is getting your town's name out there. Put it everywhere you can think of, including the water tower. Then, make your campaign a "toponym-plus" effort by finding other characteristics that are unique: Trolls perhaps. Without branding, street signs are so industrial-era; make them post-industrial, make them unique. [2019]

Cape Charles, Virginia, USA

If it's Tuesday, there must be a farmers' market in Cape Charles. Eat fresh, eat organic, eat local. Enjoy some cucumber lemonade while you are here; buy a sweet melon, a box of heirloom tomatoes, half a dozen peaches, some local honey, and a bunch of sunflowers. And, fix your memories to that lighthouse. Is that really a lighthouse? [2018]