Lewisberry, Pennsylvania, USA

A newly-built outhouse that is for sale! They are made right here on Mt. Airy Road in northern York County. The structure's orifice is for light and ventilation. Today, we think of them as crescent moons, but the crescent shape did not show up as a part of outhouse lore until the mid-20th century. [2021]

Marksville, Louisiana, USA

Inside the outhouse was a bench with a hole that gave way to the pit toilet below, hidden from the eyes but not the nose. This one served residents of the Hypolite Bordelon House, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. What is needed, though, is an outhouse that commands a historical marker of its own. Do any exist? [2022]

Independence, Virginia, USA

The Grand Privy Race takes place every October in Independence, Virginia: any excuse for a festival! What used to be hidden out back, the outhouse, is now flaunted on the town square. And, the odors of everyday life have been replaced by sanitized memories of the past. They were good days, weren't they? [2015]

Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, USA

What used to be common is now very rare. Still, some visual evidence from the past reminds us of what life used to be like. The outhouse was a staple of the American frontier right up until the 20th century: Houses, schools, and churches, and businesses all had them. Imagine what it was like in the winter! Or even how hot it could get in the summer! [1991]

Jerusalem, Israel

Important gates in medieval city walls always led somewhere important, and the place of importance gave the gate its name. There were only two cardinal places in Jerusalem's local universe: Jaffa, a seaport on the Mediterranean, and Damascus, a port on the Syrian Desert. This is Damascus Gate. [1999]

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Built space vs. open space: Cities have to work hard to get the right balance. The purpose of both spaces is to serve the needs of people. But don't expect every space to be crowded all the time. Expect the market here to be alive with activity on Friday mornings and abandoned on Sunday mornings. Expect just the opposite from the cathedral next door. [2008]

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Flatiron buildings were perfect for intersections where two streets came together at an acute angle. They needed a more triangular shape, one that was like the front of the appliance we still use for pressing clothes: an iron, or flatiron. This one is the Gooderham Building. [2010]

Manchester, England, UK

The blue bovine, obviously a social climber who loves to be seen, was a new addition to the landscape in 2004. Other cities followed suit. The question is: Does he attract patrons to the Manchester Jazz Festival or distract (even block) any attention you might pay to the banners. [2004]

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Here is Chaouen's grand mosque three decades ago, before its most recent renovation. But, given that the structure goes back over 500 years, just think how many renovations it has been through. The shape and color of the portal are typical of Moroccan architecture. But, the octagonal minaret is one of only a few in the entire country. [1989]

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Citadel Square is easily identifiable as a church. Even without the cross, the steeple itself (a tapering octagonal prism) would lead you to identify it as a  house of worship. Why a steeple? (1) To dominate the surroundings. (2) To draw the eye towards heaven. (3) To provide height for the church bells. (4) To establish the social status of the congregation. [2007]

Hartford, Connecticut, USA

 

There are no signs of religious piety here, are there? The sign is secular. However, this secular message seems to grow out of the Second Great Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). The advice sounds like something everybody could get behind without argument. Does it remind you of some other messages? [2022]

Austin, Texas, USA

"love Yourself love the World": Make the world part and parcel of your very essence. It's your home. Just as you know every nook and cranny of the house you live in, you should know something about the nooks and crannies of the planet you live on. It may take a life time, but that's what you have: decades of learning and loving. Happy Birthday! [2009] 

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Here's another Cool Globe. This one is tightly coupled with Charlotte's status as a Tree City USA, an accolade bestowed by the Arbor Day Foundation. Do you see the tree canopy on the globe? You will also see it in the city. Residents enjoy knowing they are fighting climate change and paying lower heating and cooling bills because they live in a City of Trees. [2020]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

In posh Annapolis, goofy-looking chicken sculptures are completely unexpected. Maybe that is why they have been so popular. It seems their creator was inspired by an inane public debate over whether people would be allowed to raise chickens in their back yards. It went on for over a year. So, which came first, the chicken or the egg? [2018]

Santa Monica, California, USA

Shouldn't sea gulls be white? This one is probably a youngling who hasn't molted yet. What a view he must have and what stories he could tell if only he had a voice. Your assignment: Add a caption bubble and give him something wise to say. [2020]

Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA

The green gator may be a hold-over from Mardi Gras in Lake Charles. That's right: Mardi Gras is not unique to New Orleans. In Louisiana alone, there are over two dozen cities that observe "Fat Tuesday" with parades and carnivals. There may be another dozen along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi, and still others farther afield. [2022]

Century, Florida, USA

You don't even have to invite Lady Liberty to your picnic (or pay her airfare from New York). She's already at the park waiting for you and the gang in Century, Florida. Perhaps she got confused. After all, she came to the U.S. to mark a century of the French Revolution. [2005]

Walla Walla, Washington, USA

You can't look directly at the sun (lest you go blind), but you can look directly at a sunflower. In fact, that may be why sunflowers were invented: to bring a sunny glow and inspirational energy to earth. Or, they may have been invented to keep the bees happy. [2019]

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Thing 1 you should know about Dr. Seuss is that he recognized Seuss rhymes with Goose (as in Mother) and therefore embraced the pronunciation as a marketing tool. Thing 2 you should know about Dr. Seuss is that he wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a report that Dick and Jane were just not interesting enough to keep kids' attention. [2022] 

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Dr. Seuss and his most famous creation have been made a permanent part of the cultural landscape in Springfield, the town where he was born and grew up. “Now! Now! Have no fear. Have no fear!” said the cat. “My tricks are not bad,” said the Cat in the Hat. [2022]

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Since it's July, Mr. Grinch should look happier than that. Christmas is half a year away, and there seems to be not a single Who around to worry about. As for Max, he doesn't look like he is worried at all. [2022]

New Harmony, Indiana, USA

Window washing cranes have become almost ubiquitous. They are perfect for Main Street communities where the high-rises are not very high. Plus, they are useful for all kinds of building upkeep. And, it seems like everybody who walks by wants a ride. Compare with scaffolding. [2022]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

You may not have the talent to knit, but you can certainly wrap a tree in yarn and, thereby, add some color to the landscape. The art form is called yarn bombing: no explosion involved. Nevertheless, it seems as if some poor souls lost their lives when this tree was bombed. See the ghosts in the branches? [2021]

Rifle, Colorado, USA

"Ride our trails": This ersatz mural is an attempt to expand the town's economic base: from cattle ranching into tourism. What's it got going for it? Scenery along the Colorado River, an extensive system of trails and parks, and access from an Interstate that leads to Denver. What works against it? A rather threatening name. [2013]

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Pedal on, and take a friend with you. The world awaits. Visit as many countries as you can, meet as many people as you can, have as many experiences as you can. And, oh yes, don't forget to occasionally "phone home." Happy Birthday! [2022]

San Diego, California, USA

That looks like a metal sliding board (not plastic). And, it is without curves or bumps (which are meant to slow you down). So retro! Maybe kids can start having fun again. But, that will require wax paper. Also, so retro! Rub the wax paper over the slide again and again to slick it up, so you can go down super fast. [2020]

Beaufort, South Carolina, USA

Confucius say: "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." That's why we should litter the landscape with opportunities to noodle some notes. How about a xylophone on the waterfront?  It's especially useful for banging out "Happy Birthday." [2007]

West York, Pennsylvania, USA

Make art a part of the world you live in. If you are successful, it might even entice your neighbor into a roadside competition for attention (or to see who is the better patriot). Happy Fourth of July! [2006]

Seaford, Delaware, USA

Make art a part of the world you live in. If the spinal column is the most important element in your life, tell the world about it! A mailbox like this might be good for business, too. But only if a chiropractor has an office here. [2006]

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Make art a part of the world you live in. Take something ordinary and make it extraordinary. Take the mundane and make it right brain - or in this case right-handed. Everyone knows you're going to crush it: pinky promise! [2017]

Columbia, Missouri, USA

Make art a part of the world you live in. As long as your mailbox abides by certain federal regulations, you can add on what you wish. So, make it yours. Make it reflect the character of the people who live under your roof. Make it reflect you! [2015]