Small Town America

This past Friday I went to a small town in the Heartland you’ve never heard of. It’s an immaculate little burg with manicured lawns and well-maintained homes. There is no stoplight, and not even a flasher light. There’s a main drag about two blocks long with a stop sign on each end. One end is at a county road and the other is at a town street that connects to another county road. There is a volunteer fire department, a bank branch, a masonic lodge, a hardware store, and a small post office.

By Joe Boudreault on 2023 09 03

I very recently visited the southeast corner of Prince Edward Island where I grew up, especially the little fishing villages, and this is exactly the atmosphere I found there. Laid-back friendliness and everyone helpful and smiling. Unfortunately, such places are slowly getting crowded and not so friendly.

By Nobody Special on 2023 09 03

This is a description of the town I grew up in 75 years ago. My little town is gone, but not forgotten. I hope this one survives.

"The past is another country. They do things differently there." - L.P. Hartley

By Neil Edward Lynch on 2023 09 03

We live in such a town; then we got a battery factory. The quaint businesses are closing to be torn down for a wider road. The community is giving way to movers, shakers, shysters, and to people with little regard for others as they "get their best deal". When you sell out for money, the money can't get you back what and who you had.
Our fine dining is giving way to loud, self important people that simply spoil an evening with friends.
The neighbors we had that helped each other are being replaced with ones that want to "see what you have".
We can't leave doors unlocked anymore. I don't know a soul that would send a "thank you" note to the governor.

By SarahR on 2023 09 03

I too live in a burg only it’s called a village. The village of. Just a fire department and post office little more than that. Located between two mountain ranges with nothing but farm fields. But now, civilization is encroaching, and farm fields are being bought up, I’m sure because of the economy

By Barbi on 2023 09 03

When I was little, the town was not real small, but definitely not a city at that point. My dad would let me tag along when he went to the hardware store. I remember the sound of my feet on the wooden boardwalk leading into the store. I have never forgotten that!
We recently moved from Oregon having worked downtown Portland for 30 years. We lived as far out in the suburbs as we could and still commute. Nice home in a nice suburb, but the neighbors didn't know each other, nor did they actually want to. Everybody was busy with their own jobs and families. Moms were working and struggling to manage their families. No time or energy for friendly visits. No grandma's houses to run into for cookies. No time for others. By the time we retired to the country, it was a wonderful life although the neighbors were far apart.
So we moved to Nowhere, North Dakota. The town in Dr. Smith's story sounds very much like our little town. I think we are bigger because we have 8 blocks going each way from the county road. It is just like something out of a Norman Rockwell scene. I call in my prescription and I don't even need my last name or RX number. I just tell them this is Barbi and what I want. He even delivered to us during a storm.
Everyone is related to everyone. I went to church with an elderly lady who recently passed away. I never knew she was my next door neighbor's grandma and then found out who all the cousins were. New neighbor across the street told me her dad lived about 5 blocks that way, as she pointed that way. I said, "Everyone lives 5 blocks that way."
It is a different life in a small,. I rural town. Like going back to the 50's. When we bought our house we found out that most everyone in town new more about it than my realtor. Everyone has been inside of my house. It's like the movie Pleasantville, as if time had stopped in a good place.
Thank you, Dr. Smith. I could hear the sound of shoes on the boardwalk of the hardware store. You always write in a way that puts me right there.

By Barbi on 2023 09 03

Neighbors that go out of their way to help you! We both are disabled and especially hurt this year. The grass grows so fast here. Rain, wait 2 days and mow. Wait 2 more days and rain again. The neighbors boy not only helped us a few weeks, but he has mowed all summer for us for no money! Just out of the kindness of his heart and they could see a need. By the way, we sit on 3 lots. It is a lot of mowing. Their whole family is like that. We pay to have our driveway snow shoveled, but if we didn't have the money he would do it anyway.
In cities you see people come to each other's aid in emergencies. In small towns you see them take care of each other just because. I don't have a Walgreen's here. Miss that. But I know who lives in every house and they all matter!

By Hansen1 on 2023 09 04

I’m blessed to live in a town somewhat like that one, also in the middle of nowhere, but in California no less. Central Coastal California, 240 miles to LA and 240 miles to San Francisco, literally the middle (just how we like it.) The main problems here were brought in by the big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot and now Lowes, and all the issues that come along with them. We shop “local” as much possible and there’s real farmer’s markets nearby nearly everyday. The small town feel is slowly eroding, but there’s still folks like those described above.

By Granny on 2023 09 04

Good story. I can relate. I traveled for 13 years (5-6 months out of each year) in my RV working as a park host in the U.S. state park system. I worked in many states from the mid-west to the Pacific Northwestern states. You're exactly right! Each state has it's rich, it's poor, it's urban and it's country. It's the country towns and villages though, that I remembered for the courtesy, openness, trust, and service oriented people. It was the small towns and villages who were the most patriotic and the most apt to not be afraid to show they worshiped God. It was the small towns and villages which had the best home-cooked meals in restaurants, the coldest soft drinks and the hottest coffee with friendly conversation served with each. America at it's best! Small-towns might close up but the people who are left remain open and friendly. Good story.

By Goldie Elaine on 2023 09 04

Yes thats what i grew up in small town America, Agriculture area. thats just what people do. SO much different than living in or near a City. I wish i could go back

By Granny on 2023 09 04

I loved reading all the comments/stories on this article. I can honestly say, "Those were the days." Days of trust where a handshake was a contract and as one lady pointed out, neighbors and their kids did things for you without expecting to be paid. A cookie, lots of praise, and $$ when possible are usually enough. I still live in an area where a repairman's comment on a bill might be, 'take care of it next week, that'll be fine.' I believe in America. I believe in the 'flyover' part of it the most. Where a huge American flag flying proudly in the middle of a field isn't frowned upon and where people still stand during a parade when the flag goes by. God Bless both our countries, Canada and America who have seemingly lost their way, but with much prayer and people that will pay attention and NOT let the government control us....may return to us again.

By VOWG on 2023 09 04

The town I was born and raised in was 8,000 people, here we are over 80 years later still about 8,000 people. I haven't lived there in a very long time but still visit once in awhile.

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