Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

How far back in history does the inspiration for this pillar-mural go? Perhaps 2500 years! Here be the descendants of ancient caryatids and telamons, re-purposed to hold up an expressway rather than a building. Look again: It's not a pretzel, it's Interstate 794. [2021]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

In the city that gave the world mass produced, industrial-era beer, we are now seeing the rise of craft beer and, in this case, craft distilleries. What's even better: Central Standard is rehabbing an historic downtown building. But the name? Both central and standard just wreak of mediocrity and the industrial-era past. But, maybe that's the point. [2021]

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]

Meridian, Mississippi, USA

The historic Threefoot Building was so perfect for its time. It exuded 1920s architectural chic. Meridian is lucky it survived, first, the Great Depression, and, second, the late 20th century decline of downtown. Soon, it will reopen as a hotel, such a perfect refit for its time. It exemplifies the downtown comebacks that are going on all across the country. [2020]

Freeze, Idaho, USA

You are in the Wheat Belt but you are not on the Great Plains. Where are you?  In The Palouse, close to the border between Washington (3rd largest producer of wheat) and Idaho (6th largest producer of wheat). The harvest starts in July and continues into September. [2019]

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]

Lenexa, Kansas, USA

Centenarians demand respect! Ergo, the defunct Lanexa Grain and Feed Elevator, which was built in 1917, demands respect. The problem is that the surrounding land no longer produces grain. It has been gobbled up by the urban expansion of Kansas City. Nevertheless, the BNSF train whistles a cheery 'hello' every time it passes. Now, that's respect. [2021]