Category Archives: Historic Downtowns

The Wreck of the Brazos Bridge

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Suzassippi

While I was searching for information about the Newcastle Variety Store earlier in the week, I ran across the newspaper advertisement of the town lot sales in 1908: the town’s founding. The Perkins Townsite Company of Decatur, Texas ran a … Continue reading →

Posted in Brazos River, Bridges, Family, Historic Downtowns, Texas, Young County | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Meanwhile, back in Itta Bena with the Favara family…Part II

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Suzassippi

Last week, I looked at John Favara and his family, Part I. Since then, I have reached the conclusion that I could write a book about the Favara family and their lives in Itta Bena and beyond. When I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Historic Downtowns, Mississippi, Mississippi Delta Towns | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

John Favara’s Southern Cafe in Itta Bena: Part I

Posted on June 12, 2021 by Suzassippi

In the early 1900s, Front Street in Itta Bena was on both sides of the railroad tracks. The business district developed first along the south side of the tracks. In my earlier trips to Itta Bena, I had not paid … Continue reading →

Posted in Historic Downtowns, Mississippi, Mississippi Delta Towns | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

What happens when I pay attention? The benefits of listening and observation.

Posted on June 1, 2021 by Suzassippi

“I love it when a plan comes together” (John ‘Hannibal’ Smith, The A Team, 1983-1987). I do, too…and sometimes, I love it when a plan falls apart. When it does, it presents another opportunity, or what I once heard referred … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts of Restorative Kindness, Historic Downtowns, Mississippi, National Youth Administration, New Deal Administration, Oxford, Oxford Square | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Ralph Lembo’s Home in the Woods: Itta Bena and the Blues

Posted on May 28, 2021 by Suzassippi

Yesterday was the unveiling of Mississippi’s newest Blues Trail marker. Rand and I made the journey to Itta Bena on a hot Delta day to acknowledge Ralph Lembo and his contributions to his adopted community of Itta Bena from his … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Historic Downtowns, Mississippi Delta Towns, National Youth Administration, Statues and Memorials | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Four corners in a Square: DeWitt AR

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Suzassippi

DeWitt, Arkansas boasts a downtown square that was designed as …a continuous street around a public square with one access street in the middle of each block. The northwest, northeast, and southwest corners have unique lots containing buildings with chamfered … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank buildings, brick work, City Hall buildings, Historic Downtowns | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Van Buren, AR: Downtown Historic District

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Suzassippi

In 2010, we headed to Colorado with grand vacation plans and a dog. Our first stop along the route was Van Buren, Arkansas. It was like stepping back in time, and it had its share of round and chamfered corners. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank buildings, brick work, Historic Downtowns, Ironwork, Victorian | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

First National Bank of Lake Village: The Final Twist

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Suzassippi

The stockholders of the new First National Bank of Lake Village convened November 8, 1918. “The bank has purchased a site and will install fixtures in the former Citizens’ State bank location, near the court square” (Daily Arkansas Gazette, Nov … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank buildings, Greek Revival, Historic Downtowns | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

“Lake Village, and Its Place on the Map of Arkansas as Remodeled by Modern Advancement—Its Many Advantages”

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Suzassippi

In 1906, Lake Village earned a 4-column spread on the front page of Section Seven of the Pine Bluff Daily Graphic describing its growth from 1856 from fewer than 200 inhabitants until the Iron Mountain railroad in 1897 boosted growth … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank buildings, Historic Downtowns, railroad lines | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Chamfered corners: The story of a Lake Village Bank

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Suzassippi

A few days ago, I posted about my admiration for rounded, chamfered, and canted corners in architecture. Peggy’s Country Life mentioned similar buildings in Arkansas, so of course, that sent me on a hunt for the ones I had taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Bank buildings, brick work, Historic Downtowns | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments