In Search of Small-Town America: Volume 7

Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana

• 211 Pages

• 234 Photographs

• 21,600 Words approx.

• 102.4 MB Pdf Download

Introduction to Volume 7

In Search of Small Town America Volume 7 invites you on a captivating journey through the heart of the American Midwest, showcasing stories from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana. This volume is part of the much-loved In Search of Small Town America series — a collection that blends narrative travel writing with evocative photography to highlight the essence of local life in small towns across the United States.

What the Series Represents

The In Search of Small Town America series documents a deep road-trip exploration across all fifty U.S. states, capturing the culture, character, and subtle beauty of towns that often go unnoticed in mainstream travel media. The author’s personal and candid voice brings each place alive, highlighting everyday life with both insight and humor.

Focus of Volume 7

This installment zeroes in on three states with rich regional identities — Wisconsin’s agricultural traditions, Michigan’s lakeside charm, and Indiana’s unique cultural pockets — presenting them through stories, reflections, and compelling visuals.

Behind the ‘50-50 Project’

The 50-State Road Trip Concept

The backbone of the series is its original ‘50-50 Project’: a solo road trip through every U.S. state over many weeks, gathering stories and images that reveal the changing face of small-town life. This ambitious project serves both as a travel diary and as a cultural archive.

How Volume 7 Fits Into the Series

Volume 7 slots into this broader narrative, offering fresh insights into the Midwest — a region often associated with America’s heartland ethos and down-to-earth communities.

Wisconsin: America’s Dairyland

Local Culture & Main Streets

The Wisconsin section emphasizes the state’s deep agricultural roots — from dairy traditions to laid-back motel stops and classic Midwestern charm — showing how local communities maintain their identity amid broader cultural shifts.

Pendarvis & Cornish Influence

Highlights include scenic stops like Pendarvis, where the region’s Cornish heritage adds unique character and historical depth to the journey.

Michigan: Produce Shows & Lakesides

Seasonal Fairs and Festivals

In Michigan, Volume 7 captures vibrant seasonal activities such as produce shows and local fairs — perfect examples of community spirit and regional traditions rooted in everyday life.

Soo Locks & Lakeside Stories

Iconic sites like the Soo Locks add historical and engineering intrigue to the narrative, while stories from lakeside towns bring forward the state’s connection to freshwater culture.

Indiana: Amish Country & Unique Finds

Amish Community Insights

Indiana’s rural chapters include explorations of Amish communities, offering respectful and thoughtful looks at traditions that contrast with mainstream lifestyles.

RV Hall of Fame & Patriot Town

Readers also encounter distinctive attractions, such as the RV Hall of Fame and small towns like Patriot, each with its own quirky stories and charm.

Narrative Style and Voice

Diary-Like Travel Writing

The author’s voice throughout Volume 7 feels like a travel diary — honest, reflective, and often humorous. This style makes readers feel like companions on the road rather than distant observers.

Humor, Reflection & Personal Observation

There’s a balance of light-hearted commentary and thoughtful insight, capturing both the joy of discovery and the bittersweet reality of change in small communities.

The Photography Experience

Images That Capture Small Town America

Photography is a central element of this volume — the visuals don’t just illustrate the narrative, they enhance it, showing candid moments of life, landscape, and local scenes that words alone can’t fully convey.

How Photos Complement the Words

Each image pairs with the writing to create a richer, layered experience that engages the reader’s imagination and curiosity.

Themes Explored in Volume 7

Americana & Local Identity

Volume 7 explores themes of cultural identity and tradition, showing how small towns preserve their unique character even as broader forces of change sweep across the country.

Tradition Meets Modern Change

Through personal observations, the narrative highlights the tension between longstanding traditions and modern pressures — a core theme throughout the Small Town America series.