Monday Morning Coffee: Hawkeye

Colder weather has returned with morning temperatures in upper 30's and lower 40's.

Fine time to be inside with a cup of coffee and catch up with favorite sporting events.

At least two bits of joy as Liverpool and Boston Celtics both were winners.  Indiana Pacers not so much.

Also spent a some time recalling a photography journey to Iowa.  

A special memory was a visit to Hawkeye, a city in Fayette County, Iowa.  

What a great name.  Even the University of Iowa has adopted the name - Hawkeye. 

   Hawkeye, Iowa.

 

With a 2024 population of 427, Hawkeye is currently declining at a rate of -0.47% annually and its population has decreased by -1.84% since the 2020 census, which recorded a population of 435 in 2020.

    Hawkeye, Iowa. 

The average household income in Hawkeye is $68,539 with a poverty rate of 7.44%. The median age in Hawkeye is 40.8 years, 43.9 years for males, and 40.4 years for females.

For many, this is just another fly over community that is offering few opportunities with a declining population.

For others, it is a friendly clean productive community.

 Go Hawk's ! 

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

TGIF: Salem Theater

Salem, Illinois, the county seat of Marion County, has a 2024 population of 6,961.

Salem was founded in 1823 and was for decades a sundown town with signs on each main road going into town telling African Americans that they were not allowed in town after sundown.  

As in ever so many smaller Midwest communities, Salem is currently declining at a rate of -1.08% annually and its population has decreased by -4.18% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 7,265 in 2020.

In January 1938, with construction completed, the Salem movie theater opened. 

   Salem, Illinois.

 

A local family operated the motion picture theater until they sold it to the Kerasotas theater chain in 1982.

Kerasotas ran it as $1 admission rerun movie theater,  until it was closed in the late 1990's. They sold the building to the City of Salem for $1. 

In March 2001, the Salem Community Theatre and Cultural Center was incorporated promising to bring culture and entertainment to Salem. In 2019 under their supervision, renewal / repair construction on the theater was completed.

 

Today,  The Salem Community Theater & Cultural Center offers live theatrical performances, musicals, movies, educational presentations.

 

 All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

 

Here - But Almost Gone

The Richmond Square Mall opened September 22, 1966.

Now, in April 2024, it has died and not quite yet buried. 

   Richmond, Indiana.

JC Penney, Sears and Office Depot closed. There are only two anchors, Dunhams and Dillards, remaining. 

 All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Morning Coffee: Coolville

 

Coolville is a village located in Troy Township, Athens County, Ohio. 

Coolville was platted in 1818 by Simeon W. Cooley and incorporated in 1835.

   Coolville, Ohio.

It has been noted for its unusual place name and is located close to Torch and Frost in Athens County and Snowville in Meigs County. 

It's peak population was 529 in the year 2005.

Coolville has a 2024 population of 442 and currently declining at a rate of -0.45% annually and its population has decreased by -2.21% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 452 in 2020.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

 

 

TGIF: Smithburg

 

Smithburg, located close to the center of West Virginia with a popultion of about 204, is an unincorporated community in Doddridge County.

  Smithburg, West Virginia.

 

On a local note, been raining off and on for most of the week and today is no exception.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Rust Belt Portrait

 Wednesday's are usually devoted to black & white images, but this week offers a brief departure from the normal.

This is a entry that speaks to what is typical about small town Midwest. 

Consider the following location:

   Clay City, Illinois.

Clay City is a town in Illinois with a 2024 population of 810.  This is down from the 847 at the 2020 census.

As a local resident states very clearly,

"Clay City is a small town that has very little to offer as far as things to do. It is a safe place to raise a family and buy land if one was interested in that. The schools and people are friendly and affordable." 

Another local person writes,

"There are not very many job opportunities or shopping/eating places in Clay City, but with it being such a small town it is easy to make friends." 

Across small Mid-America communities are facing decreasing population along with limited opportunities.  

 All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Monday Morning Coffee: Arcanum Opera House

 The Arcanum Opera House was built in 1889.

         Arcanum, Ohio.

In the past it housed the Village and Township offices, police and fire departments, and was the community's meeting place and venue for plays, musicals, graduations and other events. 

The Arcanum Opera House, designated as an Ohio historical landmark, was once the center of village life and Arcanum Preservation Society is now working to bring it back into the heart of the community.

All writing and images © Richard W. Rodgers unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.