Small Town America – A Retrospective

Twenty years back in time. The Small town America project began in Albuquerque, New Mexico on April 9th, 2006 – and ended in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 24th, 2007. Three hundred and fifty days on the American highway – ‘In Search of Small Town America’.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of Rhode Island, a description of the State, and pictures showing the derelict Anthony Mill in 2006, and the renovated 'Lofts at Anthony Mill' in 2012.

Small town America. State 28 Rhode Island. 'The...

Back twenty years to... Monday, October 23rd, 2006. Day 198.  Living life in miniature in this so tiny State. Brightly-coloured, and personified fire hydrants in East Greenwich, and stepping back...

Small town America. State 28 Rhode Island. 'The Ocean State'.

Back twenty years to... Monday, October 23rd, 2006. Day 198.  Living life in miniature in this so tiny State. Brightly-coloured, and personified fire hydrants in East Greenwich, and stepping back – and forward – in time, for the intriguing case of the once derelict 'Anthony Mill'.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of Massachusetts, a description of the State, and a picture showing the illuminated, multicolour exterior sign of a Liquor store, an a/c unit and a lamp-stand.

Small town America. State 27 Massachusetts. 'Th...

Back twenty years to... Tuesday, October 17th, 2006. Day 192. A reunion with my best friend from back-home, the Salem witches, and the cradle of the revolutionary war. Beautiful launderettes,...

Small town America. State 27 Massachusetts. 'The Bay State'.

Back twenty years to... Tuesday, October 17th, 2006. Day 192. A reunion with my best friend from back-home, the Salem witches, and the cradle of the revolutionary war. Beautiful launderettes, an Art Deco school building and some great signage. Campfire cooking and an 'End of Season' party.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of Maine, a description of the State, and pictures showing the window of a military recruitment office, a closed-up diner and the 'Bush Countdown Clock'.

Small town America. State 26 Maine. 'The Pine T...

Back twenty years to... Monday, October 10th, 2006. Day 184. A steamy, smoky paper mill, and an absurdly tall Indian Brave. Skowhegan and Dover-Foxcroft. Hyping-up for Halloween, and gearing-up for...

Small town America. State 26 Maine. 'The Pine Tree State'.

Back twenty years to... Monday, October 10th, 2006. Day 184. A steamy, smoky paper mill, and an absurdly tall Indian Brave. Skowhegan and Dover-Foxcroft. Hyping-up for Halloween, and gearing-up for my old school-chum, visiting from back-home. Lobsters, lighthouses and cranberries.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of New Hampshire, a description of the State, and pictures showing the gable end of a clapboard building and the colourful frontage of a souvenir store.

Small town America. State 25 New Hamshire. 'The...

Back twenty years to... Saturday, September 30th, 2006. Day 175. Getting lazy at the halfway mark – a couple of days off at the ocean. Museums, Green Mountains and green...

Small town America. State 25 New Hamshire. 'The Granite State'.

Back twenty years to... Saturday, September 30th, 2006. Day 175. Getting lazy at the halfway mark – a couple of days off at the ocean. Museums, Green Mountains and green issues. The faceless 'Old Man of the Mountain', the tourist town of Lincoln – and the obvious problem with deer hunting.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of Vermont, a description of the State, and a picture of the American flag hung vertically on a brick wall and a sign in a window: 'Vermont says No to War'.

Small town America. State 24 Vermont. 'The Gree...

Back twenty years to... Friday, September 22nd, 2006. Day 167. 'Leaf-peeping' country in the fall. The esteem of a US post office, three Rules for Robots, peace, protest and disaffected...

Small town America. State 24 Vermont. 'The Green Mountain State'.

Back twenty years to... Friday, September 22nd, 2006. Day 167. 'Leaf-peeping' country in the fall. The esteem of a US post office, three Rules for Robots, peace, protest and disaffected youth. Ben and Jerry's, Norman Rockwell, 'Ticonderoga' and beer-can and cardboard recycling – at last.

Small town America. The front of a roadmap of New York, a description of the State, a picture of the 'Woodstock' monument, one of baseballs for sale, and another of an aggressively worded 'Notis'.

Small town America. State 23 New York. 'The Emp...

Back twenty years to... Monday, September 11th, 2006. Day 156. '9/11'. The so seminal Woodstock Music Festival, frozen yogurts and ice cream. Baseball in Cooperstown and Doubleday Field. The spectacular...

Small town America. State 23 New York. 'The Empire State'.

Back twenty years to... Monday, September 11th, 2006. Day 156. '9/11'. The so seminal Woodstock Music Festival, frozen yogurts and ice cream. Baseball in Cooperstown and Doubleday Field. The spectacular beauty of Niagara Falls, and houses all made out of shuttering-board.