TimManBlog

03 Mar 2026

A Visit to Bakersville, North Carolina, after the Storm.

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February 28, 2026

Bakersfield is a mountain town in western North Carolina and the seat of Mitchell County. The town has a population of about 450. The surrounding land is very rugged, and the city lies in a valley surrounded by Appalachian Mountain peaks.

The city of Bakersville, North Carolina, is nestled in an Appalachian mountain valley.

Mitchell County within the state of North Carolina.

I visited Bakersville on an unseasonably warm February day in 2025. Of course, the best way to start the day is with a delicious country breakfast. Mammie’s Breakfast Barn is the place where locals eat in Bakersville.

Hurricane Helene hit this area very hard in September 2024, and the town is still recovering. The creek that runs through the city’s center (Cane Creek) overflowed its banks during the hurricane, destroying some structures and bridges and leaving a muddy mess. Dump trucks and earth-moving equipment have moved much of the debris into piles. The photos below were taken five months after the storm.

From my observation, heavy equipment outnumbers passenger vehicles on nearby roads by a ratio of 3 to 1.

On hillsides facing the heaviest winds during the storm, scores of slender pine trees were knocked down to the ground. These look like pieces of lumber lying on the hillsides.

Fallen trees litter some of the hillsides near Bakersville, North Carolina.

The Mitchell County Courthouse is new to the area. It was built in 2002, replacing an older structure in the center of town. The new building stands on a hilltop overlooking the city, but it wasn’t affected by the storm. The courthouse is a simple two-story red-brick structure with four faux columns at the front entrance. The words “In God We Trust” are more prominent on the building than the name “Mitchell County Courthouse.”

The 2002 Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville, North Carolina.

The security guard at the front door gave me a tour of the courthouse. He took me upstairs to the single courtroom that takes up most of the second floor. Everything is pretty new and clean. I noticed they had laid out more than a dozen Bibles in a row near the front of the room so that when a grand jury was empaneled, each of the 20 jurors would have a separate Bible upon which to swear their oath.

Next, I went down the hill to the center of Bakersville. This is such a small place. A few roads cross each other down here. On one corner is the 1907 Mitchell County Courthouse, which now houses a few county offices. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The former Mitchell County Courthouse, built in 1907, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although some North Carolina (and Tennessee) mountain counties resisted the Confederacy, I found a large gray tablet on the grounds of the old courthouse listing the county’s Confederate dead. Let people honor their ancestors, I say.

Confederate marker on the grounds of the old Mitchell County Courthouse in Bakersville.

Inside the old courthouse, I marveled at pictures of old mines in the county, dating back to the 1930s and earlier. Mitchell County has long been a center for mining quartz, feldspar, and other rare minerals. The nearby Spruce Pine Mining District (within Mitchell County) is one of the largest sources of high-quality quartz, used for the manufacture of integrated circuits which are essential to the high-tech industry.

Hallway photos from inside the old courthouse depict Mitchell County mining history.

Cane Creek runs through the middle of this little town. Both banks of the creek had recently been cleared of brush and flood-damaged materials. Bakersville has a creek walk along the creek. Much of this asphalt had been washed away. Work crews had removed the debris, so the walk remained open to pedestrians despite muddy spots.

The Bakersville Creekwalk along Cane Creek in the center of town.

I finished up my visit to Bakersville with some random photographs of prominent structures around town. I like these photos a lot. I believe they depict the pleasant homes and hometown scenes that one is (happily) not surprised to find in small-town North Carolina.

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on February 8, 2025, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged Appalachian, Appalachian Mountains, Bakersville, Bakersville Creekwalk, Cane Creek, england, history, hurricane, Mammie's Breakfast Barn, Mitchell County, Mitchell County Courthouse, Mitchell County North Carolina, North Carolina, Spruce Pine Mining District, Texas, travel | Leave a comment

28 Jan 2026

Discover the Historic Beauty of Bisbee, Arizona in Pictures

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January 28, 2026

Boasting of having “the best year-round climate on Earth,” Bisbee, Arizona, sports a dusting of snow on its hillsides on a crisp, cold January morning. Bisbee is an old Western town that does a nice job of combining its old mining-town look with newer shops and restaurants. Seniors love it here. Motorists enjoy the winding streets through Bisbee’s hillsides, not knowing what lies around the next bend. I’d say it’s the American Southwest’s answer to an Italian mountain village like Assisi or Perugia.

Bisbee, Arizona — the “Best Year-Round Climate on Earth.”

The following photographs will take you on an inspiring journey through Bisbee’s winding streets, showcasing its historic hotels and leading you up to the magnificent Cochise County Courthouse on Tombstone Canyon Road. We will conclude at the remarkable source of Bisbee’s old wealth — an open-pit copper mine.

We’ll start near the bottom of the hill, near the old post office building, and move upward from there.

United States Post Office and the Western Bank across the street in Bisbee.

Amid the scrub trees on the hillside behind the hotel is a giant “B” for “Bisbee.”

The historic Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee.

Bisbee’s hillsides can be snow-covered in January, but the canyons below remain warm.

Winding uphill now, we pass old Victorian buildings. Downtown Bisbee is amazing!

Above downtown, along Tombstone Canyon Road, stands a statue of a miner in front of the Cochise County Superior Court building. This statue, created by a local artist in 1935, is commonly referred to as Iron Man, the Virile Copper Miner, or the Copper Man. Its official name is the Courthouse Plaza Miners’ Monument. Interestingly, the statue is not made of iron or copper; it is made of concrete and coated in copper.

The Bisbee Copper Miner — “The Iron Man“

Below the statue is a plaque dedicated to “those virile men, the copper miners…”

In the nearby plaza, the impressive Art Deco Cochise County courthouse stands as a tribute to copper. The building features all the distinctive Art Deco elements, including brass doors, ornate lampposts, and whitewashed walls.

Approximately a mile away, but still within the city limits, lies the Lavender Pit open-pit copper mine. Although it closed in 1974, the pit continues to produce a small amount of metal through leaching.

The Lavender Pit copper mine (closed in 1974).

Cochise County within the state of Arizona

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken either on January 7, 2007, or December 14, 2012, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged architecture, art deco, Bisbee, Bisbee Arizona, Bisbee Copper Man, Bisbee Grand Hotel, Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, books, Cochise County, Cochise County Arizona, Cochise County Courthouse, Copper Man, Copper Miner, Copper Queen Hotel, Courthouse Plaza Miners's Monument, food, Iron Man, Iron Man Statue, Lavender Pit, Open-pit copper mine, photography, The Copper Man, travel, Virile Bisbee Copper Miner, Virile Copper Man, Virile Copper Miner | Leave a comment

20 Jan 2026

Kansas City: Day and Night Sightseeing

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December 31, 2025

Downtown KC channeling its Wild West roots in the Power and Light District.

Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri by both population and area. Founded in the 1830s at the junction of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it is today known for its barbecue cuisine and as one of the most dynamic cities in the American Midwest. Starting with a walk around downtown and ending in Country Club Plaza’s bright Christmas decor, this post will show you some of the city’s best sights. Enjoy!

The *Hilton President Hotel*, and the *Drum Room* lounge on the corner.

The Kansas City Public Library looks classical inside the old First National Bank building.

Below: some inspired sights near the library:

While wandering downtown, I discovered a hilly landscape with blocks that rise and fall. The Power and Light District, located next to the Sprint Center, offers a variety of bars and restaurants for post-game celebrations.

Jackson County, Missouri, has two seats and two courthouses—one located in Kansas City and the other in Independence. Independence is the older seat; Kansas City was added in the mid-20th century as it grew in prominence.

I read that the courthouse in Kansas City (shown below) was built in the 1930s at the behest of Tom Pendergast, the “boss” of the city’s Democratic Party machine. This is a 10- to 15-story, yellow-brick Art Deco structure typical of the era. I stepped inside briefly without going through security and saw a large Christmas tree in the lobby, along with pressed-metal ceilings and Art Deco trim.

Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri

In front of the courthouse stands a statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback. Jackson County was named for him. Across the street, a statue of Abraham Lincoln depicts him seated and playing with one of his young sons in front of City Hall. City Hall has the same design as the county courthouse, but is a few stories taller.

I made my way up to Quality Hill and Case Park for the scenic view overlooking the Missouri River, just downstream from its junction with the Kansas (Kaw) River. This high bluff rises approximately 200 feet above ice flows in the rivers below. At the peak stands the Corps of Discovery statue honoring Captains Lewis and Clark, who passed this spot on their way to the Pacific and back in 1804-06.

“Of Courage Undaunted” were Thomas Jefferson’s words honoring the Corps of Discovery.

The view to the west from this point stretches beyond the river junction, revealing the buildings of Kansas City, Kansas, and extending deep into the plains that were once the territory of resettled Native American tribes. This spot once served as a lookout point at the edge of the United States.

The westward view from atop Quality Hill: the Missouri River, Kansas, and the plains beyond.

I had a good winter’s day wandering around downtown Kansas City. For the evening, though, I drove five miles south to see a shopping area.

Country Club Plaza is renowned for its high-end stores and wealthy clientele, as well as for its Spanish-style architecture. During the Christmas season, the buildings in the Plaza are beautifully decorated with lights outlining their frames, creating a stunning visual display. This distinctive lighting style, known as Plaza Lighting, is often mimicked in smaller towns across the Midwest.

Jackson County within the state of Missouri

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on December 16, 2013, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged Abraham Lincoln, American Midwest, Andrew Jackson Memorial, Case Park, Chouteau's Church, Christmastime at the Plaza, Country Club Plaza, Drum Room, Francois Chouteau, health, Hilton President Kansas City, humanity, Jackson County, Jackson County Courthouse, Jackson County Courthouse Missouri, Jackson County Missouri, Kansas City Missouri, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas River, Lewis and Clark Memorial, Midwest, Missouri River, poems, Power and Light District, Quality Hill, relationships, truth | Leave a comment

30 Nov 2025

Exploring Cordell, Oklahoma: A Historic County Seat

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November 30, 2025

This is Cordell, Oklahoma, the seat of Washita County in western Oklahoma. Cordell (sometimes known as “New Cordell”) has a population of 1,775; the county has a population of over 10,000. Let’s look around. The first two pictures are from the steps of the three-story county courthouse. The views from the front and rear entrances are fantastic — many miles each way.

The far-reaching plains of western Oklahoma, as seen from the steps of the courthouse in Cordell.

Downtown Cordell, Oklahoma from the steps of the courthouse.

The classical revival Washita County Courthouse in Cordell was built in 1911. The old 1910 courthouse sits on an island, with Cordell’s businesses circling it. I saw the same layout in Boise City, Oklahoma, a few years ago. Boise City is in the Oklahoma Panhandle—maybe they copied the design from Cordell.

The three-story structure with its brilliant copper roof was called the “godfather of all courthouses in the state of Oklahoma” by Governor George Nigh. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Washita County Courthouse in Cordell, Oklahoma.

Below: Christmastime inside the Washita County Courthouse. The two black-and-white pictures on the right were taken around 1910 and depict Native Americans from the Cheyenne or Arapaho tribes; the top-left picture shows teepees dotting the plains. Back then, the Cheyenne tribe held their annual sun dances dressed in white linen shirts and cowboy hats.

It was a different world back then.

The lands of Washita County are included in the vast Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation of western Oklahoma.

Below: historical markers explain the origins of the county, “the coming of the Indians,” and “the coming of the White Man.”

Below: the two-story business district in downtown Cordell, Oklahoma.

Washita County within the state of Oklahoma

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on November 15, 2012 and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation, Cordell, Washita County, Washita County Courthouse, Washita County Courthouse Oklahoma, Washita County Oklahoma | Leave a comment

31 Oct 2025

The Mansions of Cumberland, Maryland

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October 31, 2025

What a cool town!

A Victorian mansion on Washington Street in Cumberland, Maryland.

I came to Cumberland, Maryland, to see the Allegany County Courthouse. I found a parking space on a shaded part of Washington Street, a block from the courthouse.

Before I could enter the courthouse, I was captivated by the sight of Victorian mansions along Washington Street that overlooked the county government building. As I began walking up the hillside with my camera, I took photos of the most magnificent ones — which turned out to be almost every house. Many of these homes had plaques indicating their construction dates, with some dating back to the 1870s. One of the mansions even had a French name on its plaque. I was amazed to discover that Cumberland had once been so wealthy.

All I need do now is show you a gallery of some of the best:

This photo is more about a grand tree than a house, but still, it’s grand.

Below: I included the middle photo on the left to show its plaque. The plaque says:
“Mansion DeVeauxelle D’Evecquemont.” The home carries the name of French immigrant Pierre DeVeauxelle D’Evecquemont, who came to America to escape a death sentence for shooting a man in a duel. He served with the Marquis de LaFayette during the American Revolution. D’Evecquemont died in 1803 and is buried in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

After that detour, I made my way back down the hill to photograph the Allegany County Courthouse. This building is located near the remnants of Fort Cumberland, perched on a hill overlooking the present-day downtown business district. Constructed in 1894, this three-story structure features Richardsonian Romanesque architecture. The courthouse is made of red-and-white checkerboard granite and features a striking central tower that gives it a castle-like appearance.

The 1894 Allegany County Courthouse in Cumberland, Maryland.

I went inside to explore the first floor, where I admired the beautiful stained-glass windows and the carved wood banisters on the staircase leading to the second and third floors.

A striking statue of a young George Washington stands just a few feet from the corner of the courthouse. Surrounding the monument are plaques on six sides that explain Washington’s connection to the area.

Washington visited this region three times during his lifetime:
— In 1754, as a colonel in the Virginia militia before the outbreak of the French and Indian War.
— From 1755 to 1758, during the War, he used a nearby cabin as his headquarters.
— In 1794, as President of the United States, he visited the American troops assembled here to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion.

Next to the courthouse stands Emmanuel Episcopal Church. The church was built in 1851 on the actual foundations of old Fort Cumberland. The church was a key stop on the “Underground Railroad” before the Civil War. Tunnels beneath the church were used to hide escaping slaves — especially from Virginia, which lies directly across the Potomac River from Cumberland.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Cumberland, Maryland.

When I finally visited downtown, I found Baltimore Street lined with impressive three- and four-story, ornate brick buildings built in the late 19th century. The tall buildings create a striking little canyon with a view toward the old Episcopal Church above.

Baltimore Street in Cumberland, Maryland.

Here are some of the more notable buildings along Baltimore Street:

Although Cumberland’s current population is only 19,000, the town obviously once had a much larger population — in fact, in 1940 its population (39,000) was nearly double what it is today.

The old U.S. Post Office Building at Frederick & Liberty Streets.

I love finding old Italian bakeries in Eastern cities. Here is Caporale’s in downtown Cumberland. Photographs on the wall of this family bakery include a signed photo of legendary Atlanta Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone, a native of the Cumberland area.

That’s all. Hope you can visit Cumberland — it’s well worth the trip!

Allegany County within the state of Maryland

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on October 21, 2024, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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I post about a visit to one of America’s 3,150 county seats each month. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray my travel costs.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged Allegany County Courthouse, Atlanta Braves, Caporale's, Cumberland, Cumberland Maryland, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, food, Fort Cumberland, George Washington, inspiration, Leo Mazzone, Marquis de Lafayette, movies, Pierre DeVeauxelle D'Evecquemont, presidents, quotes, Underground Railroad | Leave a comment

29 Sep 2025

A Walk Through Salem, South Dakota: Courthouse and Culture

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September 29, 2025

In 2014, I traveled through eastern South Dakota to visit the county courthouses in the area. The weather in late September was perfect for exploring. I discovered many charming towns, including Canistota (known for its Ortman Chiropractic Clinic) and Salem, which is the seat of McCook County.

Salem has a small population, with only 1,300 residents. I easily found the McCook County Courthouse along U.S. Highway 81, which runs north and south through town; Main Street runs parallel to it, also heading north and south.

The McCook County Courthouse in Salem, South Dakota

The courthouse was built in 1934 during the Great Depression, likely as part of a Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) project. During that period, the federal agency funded numerous new courthouses in an effort to provide employment opportunities for unemployed workers.

The design of the courthouse is primarily Art Deco, a characteristic style of the 1930s. The county courthouse features distinctive lettering and metallic work on the window frames at the front and sides. As is typical for such buildings, metal was used extensively throughout the structure. It is either aluminum or stainless steel, molded and shaped to be aesthetically pleasing and stylish, yet economical in times of hardship. The photos below include one that highlights the exceptional metallic work above the heating grates in the stairwells.

The Veterans memorial at the McCook County Courthouse

In American civics, we frequently discuss the separation of church and state. Here in Salem, the courthouse represents the “state,” while the town’s Catholic Church is the “church.” St. Mary Catholic Church, located on the other side of Highway 81, was built in 1885 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful red stone building features a high steeple adorned with crosses.

I walked inside and found that no one else was there about an hour after the morning Mass had ended. I was captivated by the statues, the Stations of the Cross, and the stained-glass windows. The crucifix at the front was elevated ten feet above the altar and lit by a spotlight, creating a display of glory in the dimly lit church, symbolizing God’s presence in a darkened world. This church was built by new settlers, basically farmers who prioritized their faith while building homes in a new country.

I walked into the center of town after leaving the church and came across an impressive mural near Main Street. Salem was settled in the late 1800s, and the mural features various nostalgic figures, including a Conestoga wagon, along with the phrase “Dakotah or bust.” In the mural, a little girl asks, “Grand-pa, tell me ’bout the old days…”

A prominent Salem street mural explains the town’s pioneer origins.

Down the street from the mural, you can find some old buildings that date back to a bygone era. Salem was settled in 1879. St. Mary’s Church was built in 1885, and the elegant bank buildings on Main Street were constructed in 1889. These two buildings (among those shown below) are some of the town’s few remaining structures from the old “Dakotah” period.

The sign below was found on a house near Main Street: ‘Welcome Fall.’ Indeed.

McCook County within the state of South Dakota

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on September 16, 2014, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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I post about a visit to one of America’s 3,150 county seats each month. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray my travel costs.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged art deco, blog, books, Canistota, conestoga wagon, Dakotah, Dakotah or bust, dogs, google, Great Depression, marketing, McCook County, McCook County Courthouse, McCook County South Dakota, Ortman Clinic, Salem, Salem South Dakota, St. Mary Catholic Church, St. Mary Catholic Church Salem, St. Mary Catholic Church Salem South Dakota, Works Progress Administration, WPA | Leave a comment

31 Aug 2025

Exploring Bristol: The City Split by a State Line

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August 31, 2025

Bristol is one of the most unusual cities in the United States because it is split down the middle of its main street between two states: Virginia and Tennessee. Technically, Bristol is two cities, with a state line running along the double-yellow line in the middle of State Street. However, except for separate governments for each side, Bristol functions as a single city.

The two cities of Bristol — split down the double-yellow line between Tennessee (left) and Virginia (right).

Looking east this time — Virginia is on the left, and Tennessee is on the right.

A historical sign (located on the Virginia side of town) explains the history of Bristol, but it doesn’t explain how Main Street was placed on top of a state boundary. Wikipedia provides some explanation in its article on Bristol, Virginia (link here).

Originally, Bristol was located in both Goodson, Virginia, and Bristol, Tennessee, and had two train lines and two train depots — one for each side of the state line. When visitors began referring to the entire area as “Bristol,” Goodson, Virginia, abandoned its original name and adopted the name Bristol as well.

The old Bristol (Virginia) railway depot (left) and its accompanying historical sign.

Bristol, Virginia, is one of Virginia’s independent cities, which means it also functions as its own county. Bristol, Tennessee, is located in Sullivan County, Tennessee, but it is not the county seat. Because this blog is about county courthouses and county seats, the rest of this post will focus on Bristol, Virginia.

As the seat of both the city and county of Bristol, the Bristol Courthouse serves as a combination of a courthouse and City Hall. The building itself is a simple two-story red brick structure.

The George M. Warren Justice Center / Bristol, Virginia Courthouse in Bristol, Virgina

Across the street from Bristol City Hall and Courthouse, Cumberland Park features a Vietnam-era helicopter and a memorial dedicated to Vietnam veterans. Nearby, I found ducks feeding in the creek and the town’s old Confederate memorial.

The Bristol Hotel is only a few blocks away. Built in 1925, the Bristol has been restored and converted into a boutique hotel. It’s a fun place and boasts a rooftop bar.

The 1925 Bristol Hotel in Bristol, Virginia

Just two blocks away, I walked down State Street, which separates Virginia from Tennessee. This is Bristol’s main street in almost all respects — the largest shops and restaurants are here.

Have a look for yourself — except for the two mid-street shows below, all of these are photos of the Virginia side of the street:

Here’s to the Axe & Ale, the Corner Bar & Grill, Michael Waltrip Brewing, and an art gallery — the HollerHouse of Bristol.

Bristol, Virginia, also boasts a great musical history and is the home to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

Below: a statue of a country music duo in Cumberland Park, and a Virginia road sign for the Crooked Road — Virginia’s music heritage roadway and trail.

If you’re curious, the Tennessee side of town is the larger of the two Bristols. Bristol, Tennessee, has a population of about 27,000, while Bristol, Virginia, has only 17,000 residents. Historically, the Tennessee city has always been larger than its counterpart, and this disparity has grown in recent years due to Tennessee’s more favorable tax policies compared to Virginia. Also, Bristol, Tennessee, can boast of the Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol, Virginia, within the state of Virginia

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on July 9, 2023, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

Donations to TimManBlog

I post about a visit to one of America’s 3,150 county seats each month. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray my travel costs.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged art, Axe & Ale, Birthplace of Country Music, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, books, Bristol, Bristol (city), Bristol (city) Virginia, Bristol Hotel, Bristol Hotel Rooftop Bar, Bristol Tennessee, Bristol Virginia, food, HollerHouse, Michael Waltrip Brewing, news, The Crooked Road, travel | Leave a comment

31 Jul 2025

Miller, South Dakota: A Peek into Small Town America

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July 31, 2025

Welcome to Miller, South Dakota! It’s a bright and clear Sunday afternoon here in South Dakota. There is only a slight breeze and a hint of humidity, which belies the temperature of 84°. It feels much warmer though.

Miller’s giant water tower proclaims this burg to be the home of the “Rustlers.” The lettering and the cowboy icon are green like the surrounding grain fields. Over the years, Miller has produced a state governor and a few other notables. These days, Miller is a town of two business blocks and thirteen hundred occupants.

A mural around the corner provides some historical context for this little prairie town. Miller, like so many other places in the Great Plains states, began in 1889 with the coming of the railroad.

Miller’s town mural reminds everyone of the day the railroad brought the world to town.

Miller has grown substantially since the early railroad days; here’s Main Street today.

Traffic along Broadway in Miller, South Dakota

The countryside surrounding Miller supports a mix of corn and soybean fields. The plains are nearly flat here, with only slight ripples to interrupt the cultivation. The soil must be excellent since I saw very few cattle ranches interrupting the cultivated acres.

Miller is the market town for those surrounding farms. It’s a nice-looking place. Let’s take a closer look.

The line-up: Miller Rexall Drug, the Clothes Garden, and Helping Hands at the end of the block.

Hand County Title Company, Farm Bureau Financial Services, and Sommers Bar.

(Every South Dakota bar has a few video poker machines hidden in the corner, hidden out of sight to encourage shame, I think. I played a machine at Sommers and won $20 — I bought a beer with it.)

Here are some more pillars of the community. I say that with no sarcasm; people couldn’t survive without these services.

The Sa’ Hair’ rah Hair Stylist, Anson Law Office, and the Main Street Lunch Box.

Above are the town’s shops, below are the homes of the town’s shopkeepers and their customers. I’d sure love to have a house on a corner lot with a front porch and balcony like this one.

It’s nice to see a small town have a photography studio; here memories are created and saved for generations.

Reflections by Leah. Miller, South Dakota.

Hand County was created in 1873 by the Dakota territorial legislature (before “Dakotah” became states and were split into North and South) and named for George A. Hand, territorial secretary. The Hand County Courthouse, built in 1925, is the most prominent building in the town, and in the county too. The building is an prime example of neo-classical architectural style prevalent in the decade of the 1920s.

Hand County Courthouse, Miller, South Dakota

Hand County Veterans Memorial (every good courthouse has a veterans memorial).

Carved marble walls and stairways fill the courthouse’s interior. The stained-glass ceiling and the old-fashioned elevator are both time pieces of neo-classical design of the 1920s. Whenever I see the prolific use of marble in courthouses (and I’ve seen it often in 1920s courthouses), I’m awestruck at how expensive and investment it must have been. It’s all beautiful and magnificent, but sadly such decor is a relic of a bygone era — it would be of the question to build in such a manner today.

Every good courthouse is a local history lesson. Hand County’s is no slouch in that regard:

Can’t forget the small-town churches:

First Presbyterian Church. Miller, South Dakota.

Let’s say goodbye to Miller with an homage to neon signs:

A striking mural I found in Miller, South Dakota.

Hand County within the state of South Dakota

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on July 9, 2023, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged art, books, Hand County, Hand County Courthouse, Hand County Courthouse South Dakota, Hand County South Dakota, history, Miller South Dakota, writing | Leave a comment

29 Jun 2025

The “Popcorn Man” of Sterling, Colorado

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June 29, 2025

Clarence Mentgen’s popcorn stand at the northeast corner of courthouse square.

Clarence Mentgen, a man who had suffered from left-side paralysis since his youth, made his living selling popcorn and snacks on a street corner in front of the Logan County Courthouse in Sterling, Colorado. Working tirelessly six days a week for nearly four decades, Clarence’s efforts, combined with his cheery demeanor, made him a beloved local figure. He was Sterling’s “Popcorn Man,” and his place of business became “Clarence’s Corner.“

Sterling, Colorado, with a population of 13,000, is a vibrant agricultural and market town located in the high plains of northeastern Colorado, approximately 125 miles northeast of Denver. Mentgen sold popcorn and snacks in this little town from the 1930s until 1977, when the Colorado State Health Department shut him down for lacking running water and a sewer tap. It must have been a sad day.

Clarence Mentgen is remembered: this statue of “The Popcorn Man” was dedicated in 2008.

The Popcorn Man exemplifies the hardy work ethic of this small town, which is shaped by the rigors of the Colorado high plains. Life is tough in this rough land. Sterling’s many shade trees aren’t native to the area; irrigation waters from the South Platte River sustain them, and they wouldn’t survive on the open plains outside of town.

Sterling’s residents take pride in their homes, porches, and shady sidewalks, recognizing the achievement of creating an oasis of greenery in Colorado’s high plains.

Sterling’s churches also provide that feeling of a special hometown, since they are large and clustered near the courthouse square, giving those blocks a sense of special gravity. Although the Catholic Church’s red brick façade is imposing, it’s the Presbyterian Church that is truly grand, occupying almost an entire block and topped by a brown dome worthy of the Roman Pantheon.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (left) and the First Presbyterian Church of Sterling.

Finally, at the center of town, the Logan County Courthouse is fantastic. It features a large white cupola and pillars constructed of brown stone with white stone trim. There’s an expansive lawn on three sides that’s well-kept and has many shade trees. Inside the courthouse is a real rotunda view and ten oil paintings by a local artist named Carrera. The paintings depict early Colorado life and the state’s historic events, particularly clashes with Native Americans.
The courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Logan County Courthouse in Sterling, Colorado.

Below: statues and memorials decorate the grounds surrounding the Logan County Courthouse. The sculpture in the bottom right photo is called “Rain on the Prairie” and is dedicated to the farmers of the South Platte River Valley.

“The faults of our brothers we write upon sand…their virtues upon tablets of love and memory.”

Logan County within the state of Colorado.

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on May 6, 2006 and June 15, 2010, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

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I post about a visit to one of America’s 3150 county seats each month. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray my travel costs.

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Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged B.P.O.E. of Sterling, christianity, Clarence Mentgen, Clarence's Corner, competition, First Presbyterian Church of Sterling, general, Great Plains, Logan County, Logan County Colorado, Logan County Courthouse, photography, Rain on the Prairie, Simkins Grocery, South Platte River, South Platte River Valley, sports, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Statue of Liberty, Sterling, Sterling Colorado, Sterling Public Library, The Popcorn Man | Leave a comment

26 May 2025

Marshall, North Carolina, before Hurricane Helene

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May 26, 2025

I road-tripped through the mountains of western North Carolina during May 2009, stopping at over a dozen of the region’s county seats. One of my most memorable stops was in the small town of Marshall (population 777), the seat of Madison County, North Carolina.

Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina in September 2024, bringing devastating floodwaters to dozens of towns along the region’s small rivers and creeks. The town of Marshall, lying on the banks of the French Broad River, was nearly destroyed.

As Marshall rebuilds, I publish these photos as a reminder of what this picturesque mountain retreat once looked like, hoping it will one day look like this again.

Here’s what I wrote back on May 19, 2009, during my visit to Marshall:

It’s just a beautiful, fabulous, breezy day today. There are no clouds or heat; luckily, there seem to be no bugs. This might be the best day of the week. We’ll see.

The map was wrong, so I could only guess which of the several small towns in Madison County might be the county seat. My first guess was Marshall, especially since getting here was only another three miles backtrack. Here, along the banks of the French Broad River, I saw the cupola of the county courthouse standing above the town.

The Madison County Courthouse in Marshall, North Carolina

I later discovered that Marshall has been the county seat as long as Madison County, North Carolina, has existed. A historical sign says that Zebulon Vance donated the land for the courthouse.

Madison County Courthouse in Marshall, North Carolina

The courthouse faces the only bridge in town that crosses the French Broad River in this mountainous area. The French Broad is an odd river; it rises along the North Carolina ridges that mark the Eastern Continental Divide and flows west, past Asheville, North Carolina, through Marshall, and then on to Knoxville, Tennessee, where it meets the Holston to become the Tennessee River.

Below: the bridge over the French Broad River leading into Marshall, and (right) two views of town buildings alongside the river.

The Madison County Courthouse was constructed in 1907. It’s an old brick building of only two stories with a silver cupola. A statue of Lady Justice tops the cupola while classical pillars guard the front entrance. Like many buildings in the mountains, the courthouse is built into the side of a hill, and there is no back entrance.

A stone marker near the courthouse steps memorializes Robert E. Lee; it also marks Main Street as part of the old Dixie Highway route.

Art and tourism have permeated the mountains of western North Carolina, as several art galleries line Main Street. Main Street is Marshall’s only “through” street, with the river on one side and steep, brilliant green hills pressing against the small buildings lining the other side. The town’s single coffee shop, “Zuma Coffee,” would fit perfectly in Portland, Oregon, except for the available sweet tea for $1. Turkey chipotle wraps are offered for five bucks. Photography for sale, mainly featuring shots of waterfalls, adorns the brick walls of Zuma.

Most of Main Street’s buildings are brick. Brick is relatively cheap locally.

Below are scenes along Main Street and the First Baptist Church of Marshall.

After walking by the courthouse again, I noticed that the clock on the cupola doesn’t keep time. I also noticed that the courthouse has a balcony off the second floor, appropriate for speeches to an assembled town crowd.

A fallen sign marks the old Buncombe Turnpike, which once connected Charleston, South Carolina, to western North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and the lower Mississippi River Valley. Also called the Old Buncombe Road, the pathway was begun in the 1820s as a wagon road. Traffic on the route was replaced by railroads in the 1880s.

Madison County within the state of North Carolina

Click here for a list of all TimManBlog American County Seats Series posts.
The photos in this post were taken on May 19, 2008, and are copyrighted by Tim Seibel.

Donations to TimManBlog

I post about a visit to one of America’s 3150 county seats each month. Donations are greatly appreciated to help defray my travel costs.

$1.00

All FREEDOM VOYAGES books are on sale at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Posted in County Seats, Travel Posts and tagged Asheville, Asheville North Carolina, Buncombe Turnpike, Dixie Highway, Eastern Continental Divide, French Broad River, Holston River, hurricane, Hurricane Helene, Knoxville, Knoxville Tennessee, Madison County, Madison County Courthouse, Madison County North Carolina, Marshall, Marshall North Carolina, news, North Carolina, Robert E. Lee, western North Carolina, Zebulon Vance, zuma coffee | Leave a comment

TimManBlog

Whatever I'm Thinking

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Miller, South Dakota: A Peek into Small Town America

The “Popcorn Man” of Sterling, Colorado

Marshall, North Carolina, before Hurricane Helene

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