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Places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities

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For Namesake
 

Athens, Georgia

Our Namesake[1] city this time is Athens, Georgia   Athens, Georgia (33.956093, -83.388951)   Athens, Georgia is a city of 115,452 located in Clarke County along the routes of US 29 and US 441. The city lies just 60 miles northeast of Atlanta near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Home to the University of Georgia and Piedmont College, it also features a restored Victorian era downtown full of art galleries, shops, nightclubs and fine dining establishments.   Athens officially became a town in 1806 and was built on the banks of the Oconee River adjacent to where the University of Georgia was established in the late 1700’s. The area was named Athens after the city in Greece, by John Milledge, a university trustee and later Governor of Georgia. The city was a significant supply center for the Confederacy in the Civil war and still hosts a confederate memorial located on Broad Street near the University Arch. [2] If Civil war history is a passion for you, war exhibits are on display at the T.R.R. Cobb house at 175 Hill Street and you may pick up a map and brochure to the Heartland of the Confederacy Civil War Trails at the Athens Welcome Center at 300 N. Thomas Street. Athens also boasts the worlds only double barrel cannon. Built in 1863 at a local foundry and featured in Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! The cannon can be found at the intersection of City Hall, College, and Hancock Streets.   Additional historical sites of interest in Athens include the Morton Theater, built in 1910 as one of the first African-American Vaudeville theaters; the First African Episcopal Methodist Church, built in 1866; Athens First Presbyterian Church, built in Greek Revival style in 1855 and remodeled in 1902; and the home of Joseph Henry Lumpkin, the first Justice of Georgia’s Supreme Court. The home was built in 1845 and is on the driving tour offered by Classic City Tours. You can take a tour of historic Athens daily at 2:00 PM starting from 280 E. Dougherty Street.   The University of Georgia also has a rich history. Established in 1785, it was our nations first state charted university. The university was part of the civil rights movement in the 1960’s, admitting its first two black students in 1961. This was a big deal for Athens whose public schools remained segregated until 1970 despite the famous Brown Vs. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954. Today the university is home to some 34,000 students and boasts a visitor center, arboretum, performing arts center, Stegeman Coliseum for basketball and Sanford Stadium, home to the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team. Holding 91,780 cheering fans it is the nations 5th largest on campus stadium. Athens also hosts Piedmont College, a private liberal institution established in 1897, and Athens Technical College, which offers associate degrees.   Other attractions in Athens include the Classic Center Theater, The Terrapin Brewery and the 40 Watt Club where you may enjoy the Athens music scene. If Art is your thing you might enjoy visiting the Georgia Museum of Art, Lyndon House Art Center, Lamar School of Art and ATHICA (Athens Institute for Contemporary Art). And you won’t be able to miss “We Let the Dawgs Out” which features some three dozen larger than life Bulldogs spread throughout the city. If flowers interest you don’t miss the State Botanical Gardens and ask at the Welcome Center about the Georgia Antebellum Trail. Parks also abound in Athens including Oconee Forest Park, Sandy Creek Park, Sandy Creek Nature Center, and Memorial Park, which has a zoo “Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail”.   Notable residents and natives of Athens, Georgia include: Actress Kim Basinger, Musician Leo Kottke, NFL Football player Dunta Robinson, and Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton. Fran went to Athens High School and the University of Georgia where he was quarterback of the Bulldogs and led them to a conference championship in 1959.   Yes there is much to see and do in Athens, Georgia. Discover it all at the “Explore Georgia” Web Site. [3] Athens is included in the Historic Heartland region.   Notes:   1. www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athens,_Georgia   3. http://www.exploregeorgia.org   Picture Credit: Street Scene in Athen's Georgia (Wikipedia Richard Chambers Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

Warsaw, Indiana

This entry in the For Namesake[1] Blog is Warsaw, Indiana.   Warsaw, Indiana (41.238091, -85.852748)   Warsaw, Indiana is a city of 13,559 located in Kosciusko County along Indiana Route 15, just south of US Route 30. It is the county seat of Kosciusko County and lies 40 miles northwest of Fort Wayne. Old Route 30 that passes through the city is the final alignment of the Lincoln Highway. [2] Warsaw has been given the nickname of “Lake City” because of its many nearby lakes. It is also often called “The Orthopedic Capital of the World” due to the many companies in the city that manufactures orthopedic devices. The closest college is Grace College and Theological Seminary in Winona Lake.   Kosciusko County was organized in 1836. Warsaw was plated in October of that same year and was named for the capital of Poland. The first Post Office was established in 1837. Warsaw had a population of just over 750 when it was incorporated in March of 1854. The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad reached Warsaw in May of that year. A city fire department was organized in 1859. Gas streetlights came in 1880 and were replaced by electric lights in 1897. The Warsaw Summer Resort Association was founded in 1885 for the purpose of establishing Warsaw as a resort community. That same year, Revra DePuy pioneered the orthopedic industry when he founded the DePuy Manufacturing Company. The Winona Interurban electrified trolley car system was started in 1903, tying Warsaw to Winona Lake and eventually to Goshen and Peru. Starting in the 1950’s Warsaw’s economy shifted from agricultural to industrial. From the 1960’s to the 1990’s the land area of the city tripled through a series of annexations and additions. [3]   In Warsaw you may visit Adventures in Ballooning, the Hallmark Ornament Museum, Kosciusko County Courthouse, Lake City Greenway, Old Jail Museum, Wagon Wheel Theater, Warsaw Biblical Garden, Warsaw Performing Arts & Theater Group and Williamson’s Llama Farm. Columbia City offers Shannon’s Art & Inspiration, Thomas R. Marshall Home, Whitley County Civil War Memorial, Whitley County Courthouse, Whitley County Farmers Market and the Whitley County Historical Museum. Mentone has the Hidden Gallery of Fine Art and the Lawrence R. Bell Aircraft Museum. North Webster has the Dixie Boat Lake Tours and the Webster Ski Bees. In Rochester you may visit Artistic Impressions, the Coleman Lantern Museum, Dead River Woods Tours, Fulton County Courthouse, Fulton County Museum, Prill School Museum, Round Barn Museum and Siders Blueberry Farm. Nearby Winona Lake offers the Billy Sunday Home Museum, Bluse Heron Art Works, Canal Street Art Gallery, Mount Memorial Art Gallery at Grace College, Reneker Museum of Winona History and the Winona Bike Trail System.   There are many lakes, both within Warsaw and the surrounding area. These include Big Barbee Lake, Big Chapman Lake, Center Lake, Hidden Lake, Hoffman Lake, Pike Lake, Tippecanoe Lake, Lake Wawasee, Webster Lake, and Winona Lake. Nearby Conservation areas are Canter Lake Wetland Conservation Area and Pisgah Marsh Non-game Area.   Notable residents of Warsaw include Ambrose Bierce, author; Rick Fox, former NBA Basketball player; Bryan Hickerson, Major League Baseball pitcher; Merlin Hull, former member of the United States House of Representatives, Hal Kratzch, original member of the Four Freshmen singing group; and Reuben Williams, Union general during the Civil War.   Picture Credit: Downtown Scene in Warsaw, Indiana (Wikimedia Commons - Derek Jensen Public Domain)   Notes:   1. www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. Butko, Brian, Lincoln Highway Companion (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2009) P. 132   3. http://02adf28.netsolhost.com/dotnetnuke/HistoryofWarsaw/tabid/129/Default.aspx  
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For Namesake
 

London Kentucky & World Chicken Festival

This entry in the For Namesake blog is about London, Kentucky and the World Chicken Festival [1}, which this year is being held on September 25 to 28. This is one of 14 "London's" from the book "For Namesake, a Travel Book"[2]   London, Kentucky (37.128670, -84.083341)   London, Kentucky is a town of 7,993 located in Laurel County along US Route 25 and Kentucky Route 80, just east of Interstate 75 in the southern part of the state. London is the county seat of Laurel County. London has a satellite campus of Union College. The main campus is in Barbourville 20 miles to the southeast of London. London also has the Somerset Community College. Corbin, 10 miles south of London, has a satellite campus of Eastern Kentucky University.   The act that created Laurel County in 1825 provided for a popular vote to select the county seat. John and Jarvis Jackson’s offer of the site of London was accepted along with their suggestion that the town be named London. It is believed that they selected the name based upon their English ancestry and the hope that the new settlement might grow to be like its namesake. London was officially found in 1826. The post office was established in 1831 with Branham Hill as the first postmaster. The town was incorporated in 1866. [3]   London is the home of the World Chicken Festival that can draw as many as 250,000 people on the last weekend of every September. Attractions in London include the Camp Wild Cat Civil War Battlefield, Daniel Boone Motocross Park, Kinlee Stables, Laurel County History Museum & Genealogy Center, London Community Orchestra, London Dragway, London Laurel County Farmers Market, Mountain Life Museum and Rockcastle Adventures Canoe Livery. Barbourville has the Historic McNeil’s Crossing, Knox Historical Museum, and the Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site. Corbin offers the Cumberland Star Riverboat, Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum and the Sanders Café & Museum, in Colonel Sanders’ original restaurant. Manchester has the Clay County Community Farmers Market. Mount Vernon offers the Climax Horse Camp, Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, Rockcastle Speedway and Sigmon Farms. Somerset has the Carnegie Community Arts Center, Cedar Creek Vineyard, the Center for Rural Development Performing Arts, Children’s Botanical Garden of South Central Kentucky, Pulaski County Farmers Market, Sinking Valley Winery and SomerSplash Water Park.   The Daniel Boone National Forest located both to the east and west of London, has many campgrounds. Nearby lakes include Laurel River Lake and Wood Creek Lake. State Parks in the area include Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, General Burnside Island State Park, Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park and Pine Mountain State Resort Park.   Notable residents of London include Teel Bruner, College Football Hall of Fame inductee; Chera-Lyn Cook, beauty queen & Miss Kentucky in 1998; Roy L. Gilbert, American thoroughbred horse jockey; Flem D. Sampson, former governor of Kentucky; and Darrell Scott, country singer and songwriter.   Notes: 1. http://chickenfestival.com 2. http://​http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK 3. Rennick, Robert M., Kentucky Place Names (Lexington, Ky: University Press of Kentucky, 1987) p.178   Picture Credit: Laurel County Courthouse in London, Kentucky (Wikimedia Commons - User: W. Marsh CC-BY-SA)      
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For Namesake
 

Moscow, Idaho

This entry in our For Namesake Blog is about Moscow, Idaho. Moscow, Idaho is one of 6 Moscow's in the United states from the book For Namesake, a travel book - Places in America inspired by famous World Cities. [1]   Moscow, Idaho (46.732298, -116.999936)   Moscow, Idaho is a city of 23,800 located in Latah County along US Route 95 and Idaho Route 8. Moscow is the county seat of Latah County and is situated along the Idaho/Washington border 20 miles north of Lewiston. The city serves as the commercial hub of the Palouse region. Moscow is home to New Saint Andrews College, the University of Idaho and the University of Idaho Law School. The University of Idaho is a land grant institution. Eight miles west is another land grant college, Washington State University, in Pullman.   Settlers arrived in the Palouse region of Idaho in 1871 and established the town that would become Moscow. The original name for the community was Paradise Valley In 1875 the town’s first store was opened on Main Street. In 1877, Samuel Neff filed for a postal permit, using the name of Moscow because it reminded him of his hometown of Moscow, Pennsylvania. The city began to grow with the arrival of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1885. The city was incorporated as Moscow in 1887. Idaho achieved statehood in 1890. The University of Idaho opened its doors in 1892. England’s electronic rock group, The Cassandra Complex, made the city famous with their song Moscow, Idaho when it was released in1985. [2]   There is much to see and do in Moscow and the surrounding area. In Moscow you may visit the Appaloosa Museum, Camas Prairie Winery, Hamilton-Lowe Aquatic Center, Idaho Forest Fire Museum, Idaho Repertory Theater, Kenworthy Performing Arts Center, Latah County Historical Museum, Mary Jane’s Organic Farm, McConnell Mansion Museum, Moscow-Elk River Snowmobile Trails, Moscow Farmers Market,, Palouse Ice Rink, Palouse Recreation Trails and the University of Idaho Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Clarkston, Washington has the Asotin County Aquatic Center, Basalt Cellars Winery, Buffalo Eddy Petroglyphs, Iris Test Garden, Kiwi Helicopter Tours, Lewis and Clark Timeline, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Lower Granite Dam and the Valley Arts Center. Lewiston offers the Clearwater Canyon Winery, Clearwater River Casino, Garden Creek Ranch Conservation Area, Historic Sheep creek Ranch, Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, Lewiston Civic Theater, Lewiston Levees Parkway and the Nez Perce County Historical Society Museum. Pullman, Washington has the Cougar Gold Cheese Factory, Ferdinand’s Ice Cream, Palouse Discovery Science Center, Palouse Scenic Byway, Pullman Civic Theater and the Washington State University Theater.   South of Moscow at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area you may hunt for your own gems. There are two large lakes in the Moscow area; Dworshak Reservoir in Idaho and Lower Granite Lake on the Snake River Canyon in Washington. The Nez Perce National Historic Park is east of Lewiston. Idaho State parks in the area include Dworshak State Park, Hells Gate State Park Heyburn State Park and Winchester Lake State Park. Steptoe Butte State Park is in Washington, north of Pullman.   Notable residents from Moscow include Carol Ryrie Brink, author; Philip Habib, diplomat & peace envoy; and Josh Ritter, singer and songwriter.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/about-moscow/history   Picture credit: Welcome sign at Moscow, Idaho (Wikimedia Commons - Robbie Love Giles© CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

Lisbon, Maine And The Moxie Festival

This entry in the "For Namesake" blog is about Lisbon, Maine, home of the World Famous Moxie Festival which takes place this year on July 11 - 13.     Moxie is a unique New England soft drink with a taste that you have to experience for yourself. Moxie started out as a "Nerve Food" and was first introduced by Dr. Augustin Thompson of Union, Maine as a patent medicine in 1876. Back then it was given out by the spoonful to cure any number of medical conditions. In 1884 Dr Thompson began to market it as a soft drink. You may learn all about Moxie and this years festival at: http://moxiefestival.com Come join in the fun and try some Moxie, it really is very good. Lisbon, Maine (43.996006, -70.061090) http://mapjam.com/lisbonmaine   Lisbon, Maine is a town of 9,009 located in Androscoggin County along Maine Route 196. Within the town of Lisbon there is a Census Designated Place (CDP) called Lisbon Falls, where Moxie Soft Drinks originated, with a population of 4,420. Lisbon lies along the Androscoggin River, ten miles southeast of Auburn, the county seat. The closest colleges and universities are Bates College in Lewiston, Bowdoin College in Brunswick and Southern New Hampshire University of Maine in Brunswick. Auburn has Central Maine Community College, which offers associates degrees.   The town of Lisbon proclaims the area was settled as early as 1628, however, evidence suggests that only part time settlers were in the area at that time, and full time settlers did not arrive until 1766. Between then and 1800, several saw mills and grist mills were being operated in the region. The area at that time was part of the town of Bowdoin, until 1799 when it was incorporated as the Town of Thomsonborough. Wanting a shorter name, in 1802 the residents changed the name to Lisbon, after the Portugal capital city. The mills in the area continued and were greatly expanded in the 1860’s when the Worumbo, Farwell and Farnsworth mills were erected, employing hundreds of workers. Most of the mills are gone now except for a lumber mill near the Little River Bridge, which has been in operation at that site for nearly 200 years. Lisbon has always been a melting pot of many nationalities including English, French, Slovak and German. Lisbon Falls is now a part of the town of Lisbon, however at one time there was such a rivalry between the two, that a marriage between someone from Lisbon and Lisbon Falls was considered a “mixed marriage”. Sports have always been important in Lisbon and at one time they had a semi professional baseball team called the Worumbo Indians. [1] [2]   In Lisbon you may visit the Maine Art Glass Studio and Sanctuary Gallery. Lisbon holds an annual Moxie festival every summer. There are also several historical structures listed on the National Register of Historical Places including Cushman Tavern, Farwell Mill, Shiloh Temple, St. Cyril & St. Methodius Church and Worumbo Mill. Nearby Auburn offers the Androscoggin Historical Society, Androsoggin County Courthouse, Auburn Fire Department Museum, Bel Air Flight Tours, Full Moon Alpacas & Country Store, Knight House Museum and Lewiston/Auburn Little Theater. Just across the river, Lewiston has the Bates College Museum of Art, Great Falls Balloon Festival, Lewiston/Auburn Arts, Lewiston/Auburn Arts Gallery 5, Lewiston Maineiacs Hockey, Maine Music Society, Museum Lewiston/Auburn, Northeast Charter Tours and the Public Theater. In Brunswick you may see the Bayview Gallery, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Bowdoin International Music Festival, C.G. Jung Center, Crystal Spring Farm, Five Rivers Art Alliance, Joshua L Chamberlain Museum, Maine State Music Theater, Peary-Macmillan Artic Museum, Pejepscot Historical Society Museums, Skofield-Whittier House, Spindleworks Art Center, The Theater Project and VSA Gallery.   For fishing visit A1 Schenk’s Fishing Guide Service in Lewiston or Captain Doug Jowett Fishing Tours in Brunswick. For boating there is Lake Auburn Dresden, the large Sebago Lake or Seaspray Kayaking Tours in Brunswick. Winter Skiing is available at Lost Valley Ski near Auburn. Near Freeport there are some sand dunes known as the Desert of Maine. There are several state parks in the area including Bradbury Mountain State Park, Peacock Beach State Park, Popham Beach State Park, Range Ponds State Park, Reid State Park, Sebago Lake State Park and Thomcrag Bird Sanctuary. Near Popham Beach State Park is the Fort Popham State Historical Site.   Famous persons from Lisbon include humorist and author John Gould and horror writer Steven King. United States Senator Olympia Snowe, lives in nearby Auburn.   Paris, Maine another "For Namesake" town is located 30 miles northwest of Lisbon.   All "For Namesake" towns are from my book "For Namesake, a Travel Book - Places in AMerica Inspired by Famous World Cities". [3]   Notes:   1. http://www.lisbonmainehistory.org   2. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=2200   3. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   Picture Credit: Balloons Over Androscoggin River in Auburn near Lisbon, Maine. (Wikimedia Commons - Kevin Fellow Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

Milan, Michigan

This month's "For Namesake" town is Milan, Michigan, one of 10 Milan's in the US from the book "For Namesake - a Travel Book"[1]   Milan, Michigan (42.084126, -83.681074) http://mapjam.com/milanmi   Milan, Michigan is a town of 5,836 located in Monroe and Washtenaw Counties along US Route 23. It lies 20 miles northwest of Monroe, the county seat of Monroe County and 15 miles south of Ann Arbor, the county seat of Washtenaw County. Milan is on the Saline River, which is a tributary of the River Raisin. The closest universities are Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Concordia University in Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor also has a campus of Cleary University. US Route 12 that passes north of Milan, through the community of Saline, is known as the Pulaski Memorial Highway.   The first settler in what would become the town of Milan was John Marvin who arrived in 1831. The same year, Bethuel Hack and Harmon Allen arrived. These three men, with their families, formed the nucleus for the present day Milan. There was no master plan for a town, it just sort of happened on its own. By the spring of 1833 there were enough settlers in the area for a post office. It was established with Bethuel Hack as the first postmaster, and designated as Farmersville, because it was primarily a farming community. In 1834 David A Woodard took over as postmaster and promptly renamed the community as Woodard mills in honor of himself. A short time later Henry Tolan, the town druggist served as interim postmaster and again renamed the town; this time to Tolanville, also after himself. In 1836 the townsfolk chose to name the town Milan, after the township that it was a part of. Milan Township had been named after the Italian city because of its many immigrants from that country. The Postmaster General agreed that henceforth all mail for the town would be directed to Milan. Milan was officially accepted as a Home-rule Village in 1885. Eighty-two years later, in 1967, it was formally incorporated as a Michigan City. [2]   In Milan you may visit the Hack House Museum, Milan Dragway, Talladay Farms Corn Maze and the Wasem Fruit Farm. The larger city of Ann Arbor offers the Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Charles Baird Carillion, Cobblestone Farm Museum, Exhibit Museum of Natural History, Gerald R. Ford Library, Kempf House Museum, Kreft Center Gallery, Leslie Science Center, Matthaei Botanical Garden, Michigan Theater, University of Michigan Art Museum, University of Michigan Kelsey Museum of Archeology, University of Michigan Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry and the Washtenaw County Courthouse. Dundee has Farmer J’s Corn Maze, Hoopt’s Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze, Old Mill Museum and the Southeast Michigan Pioneer Wine Trail. Monroe offers the Eby Log Cabin, Farmer Charley’s Corn Maze Adventures, Monroe County Courthouse, Monroe County Historical Museum, Monroe County Labor History Museum, River Raisin Battlefield Visitors Center, Sawyer Homestead (1873) and the Vietnam Veterans Historical Museum. In Saline you may visit Coleman’s Corn Maze, Lotz Orchard, Saline Depot Museum, Rentschler Farm Museum and the Spotted Dog Winery. Ypsilanti offers the Makielski Berry farm, Michigan Firehouse Museum, Riverside Arts Center, Wiards Orchard, Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, Ypsilanti Fire Station Museum and the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.   There are two lakes near Milan along the Huron River; Ford Lake and Belleville Lake. State parks in the area include Cambridge Junction Historical State Park, Lake Huron State Recreation Area, Pinckney State Recreation Area, Waterloo State Recreation Area and Walter J. Hays State Park.   Notable residents of the Washtenaw county seat of Ann Arbor include Jim Buckmaster, CEO of Craigslist; Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker; Loren D. Estleman, author; Jim Harbaugh, former NFL quarterback; Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino’s Pizza; Iggy Pop (James Newell Ostenberg, Jr.), rock musician; Bob Seger, rock musician; Samuel C.C. Ting, Nobel Prize winning physicist; and Martha Vickers, actress.   Photo: Saline River Dam in Saline near Milan, Michigan (Wikimedia Commons - Dwight Burdette CC_BY-SA)   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://www.historicmilan.com    
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For Namesake
 

Havana, Florida

This entry in our For Namesake Blog [1] is about Havana, Florida, the "Arts and Antiques" Capital of northern Florida.   (30.62728, -84.41483) http://mapjam.com/havana_florida   Havana, Florida is a town of 1,754 located in Gasden County along US Route 27 and Florida Route 12. It lies 11 miles east of Quincy, the county seat of Gasden County and 12 miles northwest of Tallahassee, the Florida capital. The nearest universities are Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Florida State University in Tallahassee. Tallahassee also has Tallahassee Community College, a 2-year college.   The town of Havana was chartered in 1906. Its economy was primarily based on tobacco for the cigar industry. Because of this, the town was named for Havana, Cuba. The town suffered economic hardship when the cigar industry moved to Central America in the 1960’s when many people were forced to move away. In 1983, two antiques shop owners in Tallahassee were looking to relocate and wanted to buy an old building on the main street in Havana. They were delighted that for just twice as much money they were offered the entire block of buildings. This was the beginning of transforming the town of Havana into the art and antique Mecca that it is today. With many antique type shops in the same area, the business of all of them continues to grow. It has also helped that they work together and not against one another and participate in joint advertising and marketing. In addition to the antiques there has been a resurgence of interest in the historic homes of old Havana. Through out its history Havana has lived through many devastating fires in 1909, 1916, 1973 and most recently in the year 2000 when the Havana Canning Company Warehouse burned down. [2]   With more than 30 antiques and art oriented shops, Havana is known as North Florida’s “Arts and Antiques Capital” and is a prime stop on the Florida Arts Trail. The Planters Exchange, Inc. building and the Dr. Malcolm Nicholson Farmhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Havana sponsors three annual festivals including the Havana MusicFest each April and the Bead and Jewelry Fest and Pumpkin Fest in October. The county seat of Quincy is known as the “City that Coca-Cola built” because of the large amount of the company’s stock once owned by the town’s residents. Quincy has a designated historic district, nine structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Bell and Bates restored Hardware store and the Gasden Arts Center. The state capital of Tallahassee offers the Goodwood Museum and Gardens, the Governors Mansion, Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory, John G. Riley Museum of African American History and Culture, Knott House Museum, Lemoyne Center for Visual Arts, Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, Mission San Luis, Museum of Florida History, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Pebble Hill Plantation, State Capitol Complex, Tallahassee Automobile Museum, Tallahassee Ballet, Tallahassee Museum, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Union Bank Museum.   Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge, located south of Tallahassee on the coast, offers a habitat for migratory birds. The nearby Apalachicola National Forest offers many campgrounds. There are five fairly large lakes and eleven state parks within an hours drive of Havana. The lakes are Lake Jackson, Lake Lamonia, Lake Miccosukee, Lake Seminole and Lake Talquin. The state parks are Alfred B. Maclay Gardens, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs, Florida Caverns, Lake Jackson Mounds Arch, Lake Talquin, Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic, Ochlockonee River, San Marcos de Apalache Historic, Saint George Island, Three Rivers, and Torreya.   Notable residents from the county seat of Quincy include Nat Adderly, Jr., music arranger for Luther Vandross; Lady Chablis, actress; Billy Dean, country music singer; Dexter Jackson, NFL football player & Super Bowl XXXVII Most Valuable Player; and Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly solo around the world.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://www.havanaflorida.com/history.aspx   Picture: Street scene in Havana, Florida (Credit - Wikimedia Commons - Tim Ross Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

Vienna, Missouri

Spring begins today (March 20). What better way to celebrate it than to get out and take a drive on the famous roads and highways of our great country. One such highway of course is Route 66. One namesake town very close to Route 66 is Vienna, Missouri, so it is the subject of this installment of the For Namesake" Blog [1]   Vienna, Missouri (32.18692, -91.94904) http://mapjam.com/vienna-missouri   Vienna, Missouri is a village of 610 located in Maries County at the Intersection of US Route 63 and Missouri State Route 42. It is the county seat of Maries County and lies 20 miles northwest of Rolla. The nearest university is Missouri University of Science and Technology, formally the University of Missouri-Rolla in Rolla. Famous Route 66 passes by south of Vienna, through the communities of Rolla and St. James.   Maries County was organized in March of 1855 and named for the Big and Little Maries Rivers. Vienna was selected as the county seat. It is said that Dr. V.G. Lethem, who was the presiding county judge, had a young women in his family named Vie Anna who had passed away. He desired that the village be given that name to honor her. Commissioner McCord, thinking this unwise, chose instead to name the community after the Austrian Capital, Vienna, a name so similar that even the good Dr. would approve. The post office here dates from 1867 forward, so we can take that as the date of the founding of the village, although it most likely had its beginning earlier. [2]   In Vienna you may visit the Maries County Courthouse and the Maries County Historical Society Museum. Dixon has the Blue Jay Farm, Boling Springs Canoe Rentals and the Rocky Edge Bluff Farm. The Capital city of Jefferson City has many attractions including The Art Bazaar, Carnahan Memorial Gardens, Cole County Historical Society Museum, Jefferson Landing State Historical Site, La Maison Conference Center, Lewis & Clark Trailhead Monument, Missouri Governors Mansion, Missouri Highway Patrol Safety Education Center & Museum, Missouri State Capitol, Missouri State Museum, Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation Museum, Museum of Missouri Military History Rudge Nature Center and Summit Lake Winery. Rolla has a Visitors Center at 1311 Kings Highway. There you may learn about The Centre, Leach Theater, Ozark Actors Theater, Splash Zone, University of Science & Technology Experimental Mine, University of Science & Technology Mineral Museum and other Rolla area attractions. In St. James you may visit the St. James Winery.   The Mark Twain National Forest is just southwest of Rolla. Vienna is located close to several conservation areas including Canaan Conservation Area, Painted Rock Conservation Area, Spring Creek Conservation Area, and Woods Memorial Conservation Area. Nearby Lakes include Lake Ozark and Peaceful Valley Lake. State Parks in the region include Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Katy Trail State Park, Lake of the Ozarks State Park and Onondaga Cave State Park.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://thelibrary.org/lochist/moser/mariesco.html   Picture Credit: Maries County Courthouse at Vienna, Missouri (Americasroof at en.wikipedia CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

Cairo, Georgia

This entry in the For Namesake [1] blog is Cairo, Georgia. (30.88101, -84.19922) http://mapjam.com/cairo-georgia   Cairo, Georgia is a town of 9,607 located along US Route 84 in the southwest corner of Georgia. The town is the county seat of Grady County and lies 15 miles west of Thomasville, Georgia and 40 miles north of Tallahassee, Florida. The town has a campus of Southwest Georgia Technical College. The main campus is in Thomasville, which also has Thomas University. Bainbridge College, a 2-year junior college, is in the town of Bainbridge, 20 miles west of Cairo. The first settlement in the Cairo area was known as Miller’s Station and was a stagecoach stop between Thomasville and Bainbridge. Cairo was charted first as a town in 1870 and then as a city in 1906. It was named for the city in Egypt but is pronounced, “kay-row”. [2]   Cairo is nicknamed “Georgia’s Hospitality City” and “Syrup City”. There is no relationship with the Karo brand of corn syrup even though the pronunciation is the same. The town earned its nickname because it was a large producer of cane syrup from the early 1900’s up until the late 1990’s. The best-known producer in the area was the W. B. Roddenbery Company. Dean Foods purchased the company in 1993 and the Cairo plant was shut down about 10 years later. The Cairo high school football team is known as the “Syrupmakers” and the schools female athletic teams are called the “Syrup Maids”.   Attractions in Cairo include the Roddenbery Memorial Library with an excellent Children’s library and a genealogy collection; The Birdsong Nature Center at 2106 Meridian Road, offering nature trails and bird watching and the Cairo Antique Car Museum on US 84 in town. The Pope museum, 8 miles to the northeast of town, offers more than 200 statues all done my Mrs. Pope Forester. The statues honor heroes from both world wars and others. Even though the museum is now closed, and up for sale, you can still view the statues on your own. Cairo holds several annual festivals including the Rattlesnake Roundup in January, the Great Southwest Antique Auto Show and Rally in May, Pow-Wow in July, Mule Day in November and a Christmas parade each December. In Thomasville there is the Jack Hadley Black History Museum (214 Alexander Street); Pebble Hill Plantation (1251 US 319 South); Thomasville Cultural Center (600 East Washington) and the Lapham Patterson House Historic Site at 626 North Dawson.   Water sports are available along the Ochlocknee River, which flows south of Cairo and at several nearby lakes. These include Lake Lamonia, Lake Miccosukee and Lake Jackson in northern Florida and Lake Seminole 40 miles west of Cairo on the Georgia/Florida border. Seminole State Park is located on the northern side of the lake. Grady County and the area around Cairo are also well known for its excellent hunting resources.   Notable persons from Cairo include Teresa Edwards, former professional basketball player and Olympic Gold Medalist; Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hall of Fame member and first African American to play professional baseball; Daryle Singletary, county music singer; Mickey Thomas, lead singer of Jefferson Starship; and Arthur L. Williams, Jr., founder of Primerica Financial Services.   Berlin, Georgia is another nearby For Namesake town.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2944   Picture Credit: Grady County Courthouse in Cairo, Georgia (Wikimedia Commons – Tim Ross Public Domain)
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For Namesake
 

Dublin, Indiana By Request

This entry in our For Namesake blog is by request and is about Dublin, Indiana. You will find this village and many many others in my book, "For Namesake"[1] If anyone has any other For Namesake places that they would alike to see in this blog, either from my book or not, please let me know.   Dublin, Indiana (39.812294,-85.206442)   Dublin, Indiana is a village of 790 located in Wayne County along Historic US Route 40. It lies 16 miles west of the larger city and county seat of Richmond. The closest college or university is Earlham College in Richmond. US Route 40 is known as “Our National Road” and was one of our nation’s first transcontinental highways, stretching 3157 miles from Atlantic City, New Jersey to San Francisco California. Commissioned in 1926 its path lays along that of several previous highways and transportation routes including the National Road, the Victory Highway and parts of the Lincoln Highway. You can learn about the highway, past and present, at the National Road Welcome Center at 5701 National Road East in Richmond or at the US Route 40 web site [2]   Display at US 40 Our National Road Welcome Center  The village of Dublin was first plated in 1830. A Female Seminary was established there in 1835. The attitude of temperance was strong in the area and there were no drinking saloons in the early days of Dublin. By 1870 Dublin had a population of 1,076 persons. [3] An historical marker located by the volunteer fire department in town indicates that Dublin was the site in 1851 of the first woman’s rights convention in Indiana. Interestingly the name Dublin has nothing to do with Irish heritage, but rather from a hill along the National Road that required doublin’ up of horses to climb in muddy conditions. [4]   The Wayne county area around Dublin has numerous attractions. In Cambridge City you can see the 1830’s Overbeck House, McMaze Corn Maze and visit the Museum of Overbeck Art Pottery. Centerville has the 1840 Mansion House Inn, a Model T Ford Museum, Centerville Historic District and Salisbury Courthouse. In Connersville you can enjoy a ride along the Whitewater Valley Railroad. Fountain City has the Levi Coffin Home, which was a stop along the Underground Railroad. Near Hagerstown you can see the Birthplace of air pioneer, Wilber Wright. The 1871 Isaac Kinsey House known as Beechwood is near Milton. Mount Auburn offers the Huddleston House Tavern, an 1838 Inn along the National Road. In New Castle you can visit the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. The City of Richmond offers the Garr House and Farm Museum, the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, Joseph Moore Art Museum, Richmond Art Museum, Wayne County Courthouse and the Wayne County Historical Museum. There are also four historic districts in Richmond and the Madonna of the Trail Statue. Located at 2260 East Main in Richmond this is one of twelve such statues in the country, placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor pioneer women. In the northern part of Wayne County is an Amish settlement in Williamsburg.   Madonna of the Trail in Richmond, Indiana  Outdoor recreation in the area is available at Summit Lake State Park, north of Dublin and at three recreation areas along Brookville Reservoir, south of Dublin. These include Whitewater Memorial State Park, Quakertown State Recreation Area and Mounds State Recreation Area.   Notable persons from Wayne County include Jim Jones, cult founder/leader; Rich Mullins, Christian contemporary artist; and Ned Rorem, composer.   New Paris, Ohio, located 20 miles east of Dublin is another "For Namesake" town.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://www.route40.net   3. http://www.archive.org/details/historyofwayneco00inyoun pg. 262-266   4. http://www.visitrichmond.org/history.cfm   Picture Credits : (courtesy of the author)  
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For Namesake
 

Pick A Namesake Community For This Blog

This blog is based on Namesake communities from my book "For Namesake, a Travel Book - Places in America inspired by Famous World Cities".http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK The book contains articles on 17 famous world cities and 185 cities, towns and vilages in the USA that have the same name. I believe it's a fun and enjoyable read.   I have been doing this blog now for awhile where I have been picking the Namesake communities to present. Now it's your turn to comment and let me know if there is a particular community from my book that you would like me to blog about. So here is the list from the book. Please comment and let me know:   Alabama: Athens, Florence, Geneva, Madrid   Arizona: Florence   Arkansas: Georgetown, Havana, London, Paris   California: Dublin, Georgetown   Colorado: Florence, Georgetown   Connecticut: Georgetown, New London   Delaware: Georgetown   Florida: Geneva, Havana, Lisbon   Georgia: Athens, Berlin, Cairo, Dublin, East Dublin, Geneva, Georgetown, Milan, Rome, Vienna   Idaho: Georgetown, Moscow, Paris   Illinois: Athens, New Athens, Berlin, New Berlin, Cairo, Florence, Geneva, Georgetown, Havana, Lima, Lisbon, London Mills, Milan, Paris, Rome, Vienna, Warsaw   Indiana: Dublin, Geneva, Georgetown, Milan, New Paris, Rome city, Warsaw   Iowa: Geneva, Lisbon, Madrid, New London, Rome, New Vienna,   Kansas: Florence, Havana, Milan, Moscow   Kentucky: Florence, Georgetown, London, Paris, Warsaw   Louisiana: Athens, Georgetown, Lisbon, Vienna   Maine: Lisbon, Paris, West Paris   Maryland: Berlin, Londontowne, Vienna   Michigan: Athens, Milan   Minnesota: Florence, Geneva, Georgetown, Milan, New London   Mississippi: Florence, Georgetown   Missouri: Cairo, New Florence, New London, New Madrid, Milan, Moscow Mills, Paris, Vienna, Warsaw   Montana: Florence, Lima   Nebraska: Cairo, Geneva, Madrid   New Hampshire: Berlin, Lisbon, Londonderry   New Jersey: Berlin   New Mexico: Madrid, Milan   New York: Athens, New Berlin, Cairo, Geneva, Lima, Rome, Warsaw   North Carolina: Dublin, New London, Warsaw   North Dakota: Berlin, Havana, Lisbon   Ohio: Athens, New Athens, Berlin Heights, Cairo, Dublin, Geneva, Geneva on the Lake, Georgetown, Lima, Lisbon, London, New London, Milan, Moscow, New Paris, Saint Paris, New Vienna, South Vienna, Warsaw   Oklahoma: Lima   Oregon: Florence   Pennsylvania: Athens, Berlin, East Berlin, New Berlin, Dublin, New Florence, Geneva, Georgetown, Lima, Moscow, New Paris, Rome   South Carolina: Florence, Georgetown   South Dakota: Florence, Vienna   Tennessee: Athens, Milan, Moscow, Paris   Texas: Athens, New Berlin, Dublin, Florence, Georgetown, Havana, New London, Paris, Roma   Virginia: Dublin, Vienna, and Warsaw   Washington: Geneva   West Virginia: Athens, Cairo, Vienna   Wisconsin: Athens, Berlin, New Berlin, New Lisbon, New London, Rome   Thanks.  
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For Namesake
 

Christmas In Madrid, New Mexico

This entry in the "For Namesake"[1] blog is about Madrid, New Mexico. Madrid, once a company coal mining town, was famous from the 1920's to the 1940's when miners would light up the winter sky with some 150,000 Christmas lights powered from the company's coal fed generators. Today this tradition has been revived with the town being lit again by its artisans and shop owners. Explore the Christmas events and all there is to see and do in Madrid at http://www.visitmadridnm.com   Madrid, New Mexico (35.406705, -106.152523) http://aMAP.to/madrid-newmexico   Madrid, New Mexico is a village of 204 located in Santa Fe County along New Mexico Route 14. This highway is known as the Turquoise Trail and connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Madrid lies 20 mile southwest of Santa Fe, the county seat of Santa Fe County and the capital of New Mexico. The closest colleges are in Santa Fe and include the College of Santa Fe, Institute of American Indian Arts, St. Johns College and Southwestern College. Santa Fe also has Santa Fe Community College.   Madrid is in the mineral rich Ortiz Mountains. It is the oldest coal mining region in New Mexico, with evidence of mining activity as early as the mid 1850’s. By 1892 the yield was such that a 6.5-mile standard gauge railroad spur was constructed from the valley there, then called “Coal Gulch”, to the main line of the Santa Fe Railroad. By 1899 all coal production in the area was consolidated there and Coal Gulch had become Madrid. It is believed to have been named for a family of settlers. It became a boomtown of about 2,500 persons. To provide homes for the miners and their families, cabins were dismantled in Kansas, shipped by rail and reassembled. In 1919 Oscar Joseph Huber was hired as fulltime superintendent of the mines. He was instrumental in turning Madrid into a model company town, with a company store, fully equipped hospital and good schools. He formed an Employee’s Club that required every miner to donate from .50 to $1.00 per month for community causes. They were also required to participate in town events such as the Fourth of July celebration and the now famous Christmas Light Displays. This lasted from the 1920’s to the 1950’s when the mines closed. In the 1970’s Oscar’s son, Joe Huber, began renting the miner’s cabins to artisans. This trend converted Madrid into what it is today, a small village with a quiet residential area, and a busy main street filled with merchants and art galleries. A recent source for income for the village has been in supplying granite slabs for countertops. Like most of the communities in Santa Fe County, Madrid is a Census Designated Place (CDP). [2] [3]   In Madrid itself you may visit the Old Coal Mine Museum and the famous Mineshaft Tavern. The ending of the 2007 film “Wild Hogs” was set and filmed in Madrid. Nearby Cerrillos, has the Turquoise Mining Museum & Petting Zoo. Twenty-four miles south, along the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway, you do not want to miss seeing the quirky Tinkertown Museum. [4] The capital city of Santa Fe is also a must stop, and offers much to see and do. Sites of architectural or historic interest include the Barrio De Analco Historic District, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Loretto Chapel, Palace of the Governors and San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe is considered to be the second largest art center in the United States after New York City. The highest concentration of galleries is along Canyon Road, east of the downtown Plaza. There are also many Sculptures located throughout the city. For the performing arts there is the Lensic Theater where dance, music and opera productions are held on a regular basis. Museums include the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Institute of American Indian Arts, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Museum of International Folk Art, New Mexico History Museum, New Mexico Museum or Art and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. Check the Santa Fe Convention and Visitors Bureau web site for complete information on all of the city’s attractions. [5]   There are two state parks in the Madrid area; Cerrillos Hills State Park and Hyde Memorial State Park. Rafting is available on the nearby Rio Grande River. You may take a tramway to the top of Sandia Peak, in the Cibola National Forest, for spectacular views of the city of Albuquerque, far below.   Mary Wayne “Mae” Marsh, American film actress, was born in Madrid.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. http://www.mad-rid.com   3. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=17897   4. Meier, Johnnie, “Tinkertown: The Wonderful Whimsical World of Ross Ward”, Route 66 Magazine, Volume 17, No. 3; (summer, 2010) 8   5. http://www.santafe.org   Picture: Shops in old miners cabins in Madrid, New Mexico (Wikimedia Commons – Cathy Calkin CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

New Madrid, Missouri

This entry in the "For Namesake"[1] Blog is about the town of New Madrid, Missouri. Incorporated in 1808 It is believed to be the oldest town west of the Mississippi River, albeit it is not too far west. It has an interesting history. A series of strong earthquakes that nearly destroyed the entire region began 202 years ago this December.   New Madrid, Missouri (36.586449, -89.527855) http://aMAP.to/newmadrid-missouri   New Madrid, Missouri is a town of 3,116 located in New Madrid County along US Route 61/62 in the southeastern corner of the state. It lies on the Mississippi River, about 40 miles southwest of Cairo, Illinois. It is the county seat of New Madrid County. Interstate 55 passes to the north and west of New Madrid. The closest universities are Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and a campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin, Tennessee.   Francois and Joseph LeSieur, Canadian trappers, who came to the area to hunt and trade with the Indians living in the region, made the first settlement at the site of what would become New Madrid in 1783. They named their village L’Anse a la Graise which means “cove of grease”, most likely referring the abundance of game in the area. The Spanish gave Colonel George Morgan a grant of land that included this region. He promised to populate the region and dreamed of founding a great city that would be the capital of a principality. He traveled to this spot in 1789, and had the land surveyed for a grand village that he named New Madrid, after the Spanish capital city. His detailed plan called for wide streets with specific areas set aside for parks, churches and schools. To entice settlers to move there he promised to give the first 600 settlers’ half-acre city lots and five acre outlying lots for the sum of $1, if they would build a home and reside there for one year. His plan worked and the town of New Madrid was born. [2] It was formally incorporated in 1808 and is believed to be the oldest city west of the Mississippi. In December of 1811 the first of a series of great earthquakes, three of which reached a magnitude of eight on the Richter scale, struck the region. The quakes were so numerous and severe, it was said that by the end of the winter of 1812, only a few houses within 250 miles of the Mississippi River and the town of New Madrid remained undamaged. [3]   In New Madrid you may visit the Hart-Stepp House Art Gallery, Higgerson School Historic Site, A. B. Hunter, Sr. Mansion (1910), Hunter-Dawson Home State Historic Site, Kochtitsky Home (1880), Mississippian Indian Temple Mound, New Madrid County Courthouse, and the New Madrid Historical Museum. Nearby Caruthersville has the Armory & Art Center, Aztar Riverboat Casino, Caruthersville Recreation Center, Historic “Lighthouse” Water Tower, and the Lady Luck Casino. Near East Prairie is the Towosahgy State Historic Site, a prehistoric Indian village and trade center. Sikeston offers the Begg’s Pumpkin Patch, Columns Monument, Cotton Country Murals, Flyway Hunting Club, Southeast Missouri Agriculture Museum, Sikeston Depot and the Sikeston Race Park.   There are several wildlife areas in Missouri near New Madrid, including the Donaldson Point Conservation Area, Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Seven Island Conservation Area and Ten Mile Pond Conservation Area. There are also two Missouri State Parks in the area; Big Oak Tree State Park and Lake Wappapello State Park. Across the River in Tennessee are Lake Isom National Wildlife Refuge, Reelfoot Lake, Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge, and Reelfoot State Park. Just north in Kentucky is Columbus-Belmont State Park.   Notable residents from New Madrid County include Eric Hurley, Major League Baseball pitcher; Peter C. Myers, former United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture; Alfred C. Sikes, former chairman of the United States Federal Communications Commission; Robert Vaughn, author; and Thomas Wilson, former Chief Executive Officer of the Boeing Company. All are from the larger city of Sikeston.   Cairo, Illinois, another Namesake town, is located 40 miles to the northeast of New Madrid, along the Mississippi River.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK   2. Douglass, Robert Sidney History of Southeast Missouri (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1912) p.81-87   3. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monewmad/nm-history/history-2.htm   Picture: Bog Oak Tree State Park near New Madrid, Missouri Picture Credit: (Knowledgeum at en.wikipedia CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

Berlin, New Jersey

This entry in our blog about namesake cities [1] is about Berlin, New Jersey. Berlin, New Jersey is one of some 15 Berlin's that are incorporated communities in the United States.   Berlin, New Jersey (39.791226, -74.929054) http://aMAP.to/berlin-newjersey   Berlin, New Jersey is a town of 7,588 located in Camden County along US Highway 30. It lies just 16 miles southeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Berlin is a designated Borough of New Jersey. There is also a Berlin Township and unincorporated populated places known as East Berlin and West Berlin all located in the same general area in Camden County. My understanding is that in New Jersey boroughs and townships differ in the way the local government is set up. It is difficult to distinguish between these places with the same name in the same area, so this article pertains to all of them.   This area was once known as “Long-a-coming” and saw its first settlers in 1714. The name was adapted from a Native American path connecting the New Jersey shore with the Delaware River called Lonaconing Trail. Iron Forges and Glassworks were among the first industries in the 1800’s. In 1867 the area was named Berlin, although no one really knows why this name was chosen. It became a town in 1910. In 1927, Berlin was formally incorporated as a Borough taking some area away from Berlin Township. [2]   There are no colleges or universities located in Berlin itself, however there are four located nearby in Camden County. These include Camden County College, College of South Jersey, Rowen University and Rutgers University. Of course there are many others across the Delaware River in Philadelphia including Drexel University, La Salle University, Peirce College, Temple University, and The University of Pennsylvania.   Attractions in the Berlin area include Adventure Aquarium, Children’s Garden, the soup Tureen Museum and the Battleship New Jersey in Camden; Historic Barclay Farmstead Museum in Cherry Hill; South Jersey Museum of American History and the Heritage Glass Museum in Glassboro; and the Indian King Tavern Museum in Haddonfield. The Indian King Tavern was build in 1750 and in 1777 was the site where New Jersey declared its independence from English rule. Just 16 miles away the sites of Philadelphia beckon. How could you resist visiting the Philadelphia Mint, The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site or seeing the Liberty Bell at Independence National Historic Park? The kids would love seeing the creepy bugs and crawling things at the Insectarium Museum (8046 Frankford Avenue in northeast Philadelphia). Check it all out at the “Visit Philly” Web site. [3] If you are in Philadelphia, I would be very remiss if I didn’t remind you to check out the famous Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. I’ll leave it up to you to decide between Pat’s, Geno’s or many of the other rivals vying for the finest Cheesesteak in Philly. [4] Have one for me.   For outdoor recreation you can go to Berlin Park right in the town of Berlin or visit any of four New Jersey State Parks located close by. These include Neshaminy State Park on the Delaware River, Mount Laurel State Park in Mount Laurel, Parvin State Park in Elmer, and Rancocas State Park in Hainesport. Berlin is also close to The Wharton State Forest.   Nearby US 130, from Trenton to Camden, was included in the original Proclamation route of the Lincoln Highway when it was laid out in 1913. In just a few years, however, the Lincoln was rerouted to US 1 on the Pennsylvania side of the river. [5] Much of the more than 3000 mile Lincoln Highway running from New York to San Francisco can still be driven today, it’s an enjoyable ride.   Notable residents and natives of Berlin include Ron Dayne, running back for the Houston Texans; Kelly Ripa, co-host of the “Live With Kelly and Michael” morning television show; and Dan Pomponio, top alcohol funny car driver.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016722009   2. http://www.nextination.com/longacoming/berlin.html   3. http://www.visitphilly.com   4. Genovese, Peter, “Philly’s Phinest”, American Road Magazine, Volume VI, No.4; (Winter, 2008), 34   5. Butko, Brian, Greetings from the Lincoln Highway (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2005) p. 34.   Picture: Indian King Tavern Museum near Berlin, New Jersey. Picture Credit: (Wikimedia Commons - User: Smallbones Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

Georgetown, Delaware And "punkin Chunkin"

This entry in the "For Namesake" blog is about Georgetown, Delaware. [1] A mere 8 miles away at the Wheatley farm near Bridgeville is the home of the "Punkin Chunkin" contest held every year in early November. This year's contest will be held on Friday November 1 through Sunday November 3. It may be your opportunity to see a world record "Chunk" from a variety of pumpkin throwing contraptions from trebruchet's to air cannons and every thing in between. For more info see the contest website at http://www.punkinchunkin.com If you miss the event you can watch a recap of it on the Science channel on Thanksgiving evening, November 28.   Georgetown, Delaware ( 38.690113, -75.385473) http://aMAP.to/georgetowndelaware     Georgetown, Delaware is a town of 6,422 located in Sussex County along US Route 9 near the intersection with US Route 113. It is the county seat of Sussex county and lies 35 miles south of Dover, the capital of Delaware. Four colleges have a satellite campus in Georgetown including Delaware State University, University of Delaware, Wilmington University and Delaware Technical Community College.   The first settlement in Delaware was the Dutch community of Lewes established in 1631. When the boundaries of Sussex County were established in 1775 it was natural to select Lewes as the county seat. However, this was a difficult location for residents in the western part of the county to travel to in those days, so they petitioned the Delaware General Assembly for a more central location. Since the central part of the county was largely unsettled at that time, a commission was setup to purchase land and to build a courthouse and jail. They did so and laid out a town in a circle one mile across. The county seat was moved to the new town on October 26, 1791 and it was named Georgetown in honor of George Mitchell who was active on the commission. The town thrived until it was divided by the Civil War with sons fighting on both sides and families torn apart by divided loyalties. A war memorial stands on the south side of the current courthouse to honor all those from Georgetown who have served in military service throughout the town’s history. [2]   Georgetown has several historic structures many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You may view many of them via a walking tour of downtown Georgetown starting at the 1791 Old Sussex County Courthouse. Exhibits of interest in Georgetown include the Delaware World War II Aviation Museum, Nutter D. Marvel Carriage Museum, Treasure of the Sea Exhibit at Delaware Technical Community College and the Elsie Williams Doll Collection. Georgetown has a 19th century renovated train station. The Possum Point Players are a voluntary community theater group in town. Near the community of Bridgeville, just 8 miles east of Georgetown, is the location of the annual World Championship “Punkin Chunkin” contest held each November. In Lewes you may visit the Burton-Ingram House with a small maritime museum, Cannonball House, Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, De Vries Monument, Fisher Martin House, Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, Maull House, Nassau Valley Winery, St. Peters Church from 1681 and Zwaanendael Museum. You can also take a ferry from Lewes to Cape May, New Jersey. Milford has Mispillion Lighthouse, Parson Thorne Museum and the Riverfront Theater. Milton has the Lydia Black Cannon Museum. Seaford offers the Burton Brothers Hardware Store, Days Gone By Museum, the Governor Ross Mansion and Plantation, Seaford Museum and the Seaford Fire Museum. In Woodland south of Seaford you can cross the Nanticoke River on a cable drawn ferry.   Georgetown is located less than 20 miles from many beaches along the Atlantic coastline. There are several nature and wildlife preserves in the region including Barnes Woods Nature Preserve south of Seaford, Abbots Mill Nature Center and the Dupont Nature Center in Milford, Edward H. McCabe Nature Preserve in Milton and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge on the coast, north of Lewes. If deep sea fishing is a favorite pastime, charter boats are available at Fisherman’s Wharf in Lewes. There are four state parks in the area including Cape Heniopen, Delaware Seashore, Holts Landing and Trap Pond State Parks.   Notable residents of Georgetown include Matt Barlow, vocalist for the band Iced Earth; and Luke Pettigout, NFL football player.   Notes:   1. www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK or www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016722009   2. http://www.georgetownde.com/gorghist.html   Picture Credit: (Wikimedia Commons user GB Fan CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

Dublin, Ohio Plus "our National Road" Across Ohio

Recently I had an opportunity to spend two days driving across the Buckeye State of Ohio on US 40, "Our National Road". So in this entry I am going to blog about Dublin, Ohio as our "Namesake" city and share some highlights and photos of some of the things to see along Our National Road.   Dublin, Ohio from the book "For Namesake, A Travel Book - Places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities [1]   Dublin, Ohio (40.099229, -83.114077) http://aMAP.to/dublin-ohio     Dublin, Ohio is a city of 41,751 located in Franklin County along Ohio Route 745. The city is a suburb of and lies 15 miles northwest of the Capital city of Columbus. Parts of Dublin lie in Delaware and Union counties. Interstate 270, “The Jack Nicklaus Freeway”, and US Highway 33 pass through Dublin, as does the Scioto River.   The first settlers arrived in the Dublin area as early as 1802 and it was plated as a village in 1810. It was named after Dublin, Ireland, the birthplace of one of its developers. Dublin remained small until recent times and had a population of only 681 in 1970. Since then it has blossomed due to the construction of I 270, corporations who moved there headquarters there such as Wendy’s International and the growth of Muirfield Village golf club. [2] Muirfield Village was founded by Jack Nicklaus and has hosted the annual Memorial Golf Tournament since 1976. It was named after the famous Muirfield golf course located in Gullane, Scotland on the Firth of Forth. Dublin officially became a city in Ohio in 1987 when it reached a population of 5,000.   There are no less than six four-year colleges and universities in the Columbus area. These include Ohio State University, Franklin University, Ohio Dominican University, Pontifico College Josephinum, and Capitol University in Columbus; and Otterbein College in Westerville. Ohio State University with 59,000 students is the largest University in Ohio. Founded in 1870, it has a large campus (1755 Acres) four miles north of downtown Columbus and 6 satellite campus located throughout out the state. Ohio Wesleyan University lies north of Dublin in the city of Delaware, Ohio.   There are lots of attractions to see in the Dublin and Columbus area. In Dublin itself you can tour the Fletcher Coffman Homestead, an 1860’s era home and see the rather quirky Chief Leather Lips Monument, a smaller sculpture similar to South Dakota’s Crazy Horse (see pictures below). Every August, Dublin holds an annual Irish Festival. Theatrical productions are offered at Abbey Theater, a part of the full service Dublin Community Recreation Center. In Powell, just north of Dublin, you may visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or cool off at the Zoombezi water park. Delaware, 15 miles north, has Perkins Observatory, the Nash House Museum, Olentangy Indian Caverns and the birthplace of President Rutherford B. Hayes. Columbus offers the Columbus Museum of Art, Jack Nicklaus Museum, Ohio Historical Museum, Columbus Topiary Garden, Columbus Center of Science and Industry, James Thurber House, the Statehouse, the Ohio Capitol Building and the Santa Maria. The later is a full size replica of one of the ships that Columbus sailed to America in 1492. Theatrical productions are available at Wexner Center for the Arts on the campus of Ohio State University. For information on these and other attractions in the area see the Discover Ohio web site [3]   For outdoor recreation Dublin has 46 developed parks and some 72 miles of bicycle trails. There are also numerous parks in Columbus. Boating is available at Alum Creek Lake, O’Shaughnessy Reservoir and Hoover Reservoir. There are two nearby Ohio State Parks; Alum Creek on Alum Creek Lake and Delaware, near the city of Delaware.   Notable residents from Dublin include Nick Goings, NFL football running back; Brady Quinn, NFL football quarterback; Chris Quinn, NBA basketball player; and Jay Richardson, NFL football defensive end. Jack Nicklaus and James Thurber were born in Columbus, grew up there and attended Ohio State University. Another famous person from Columbus was world war one flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker.   Images of the Chief Leather Lips Monument in Scioto Park in Dublin (yours truly at the top)   US 40, "Our National Road" Across Ohio   In driving US 40 we utilized the great Travel Guide "The Historic National Road in Ohio" available at the Ohio National Road Association http://www.ohionationalroad.org   There is much to see along Our National Road in Ohio and two days is not enough time to see it all. The following are photos that I took of just a few of the many things to see. My reason for posting these is to encourage you to travel and enjoy Our National Road. It truly is a fun and interesting drive.   Spanish Revival Service Station in Bridgeport     Restord Mile Marker and Brick Section at St. Clairsville   Old Road Section near Hendrysburg   Peters Creek 1828 S-Bridge     Fox Run S-Bridge Park     Eagles Nest Monument near Brownsville   Springfield, Ohio has one of the 12 Madonna of the Trail Monuments. It is in downtown Springfield right alongside US 40. For a list of all 12 locations you may go to the following web site: http://www.dar.org/natsociety/content.cfm?ID=324&FO=Y&hd=n     If you like airplanes you can see literally hundreds of them preserved at the United States Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. They range all the way back to World War One up to the present. This is a must see museum. Here are just a few images. The last one is me crashing the Space Shuttle in the simulator they have there.     That's all for this entry. If you enjoy these posts or even if you don't please comment.   The starting picture is at the City Hall in Dublin.   Notes:   1. http://www.amzn.com/B00CBM6JFK or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940016722009   2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin,_Ohio   3. http://consumer.discoverohio.com        
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For Namesake
 

Rome. New York

In this Blog about Namesake cities I have posted about towns named Athens, Florence, London, and Paris. So I thought that this time I would post about a town named Rome. There are eight "Rome's" in my book "For Namesake, aTravel Book - Places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities".[1] This one is in the state of New York.   Rome, New York (43.212847, -75.45573) http://aMAP.to/romenewyork     Rome, New York is a city of 33,725 located in Oneida County. There are several New York Routes that run through Rome, including Routes 26, 46, 49, 69 and 365. Rome is located 15 miles northwest of Utica, the county seat of Oneida County. The Eric Canal and the Mohawk River run through the city. The closest colleges are in Utica. There you will find a campus of Empire State College, SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica and Utica College of Syracuse University. Rome is the home of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, which is now the Griffiss International Airport.   The area around Rome between the Mohawk River and Indian Creek was originally called the “Carrying Place” The early Dutch inhabitants called it “Trow Plat” and the Indians called it “De-o-wain-sta” meaning the place where canoes were carried from one stream to the other. Tradition has it that two forts were built here in the early 1700’s known as Fort Bull and Fort Williams. By 1756 both had been destroyed. Fort Stanwix was built in 1758 and was an important outpost in the American Revolutionary War. Settlers began arriving in the area after the war as early as 1784. The first Gristmill in the area was erected on Wood Creek in 1795. The community of Rome was formed in March of 1796. In 1797, the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company completed a two-mile canal connecting the Mohawk River with Wood Creek. In 1800 the first church was formed. On July 4, 1817 ground was broken for the Eric Canal. Rome was incorporated in March of 1819 and was named for the classical city in Italy. Some sources indicate that Rome was not incorporated until 1870. Its location on the Erie Canal and the New Central Railroad made Rome the most important stop between Utica and Syracuse. The Watertown and Osgdensburgh Railroad and the Oswego & Rome Railroad also ran through Rome. There were three Iron Companies in Rome during its early years; the Rome Iron Works, the Rome Merchant Iron Mill and the Rome Iron and Steel Bloom Company. In the 1900’s Copper ore became an important product for the city. [2] [3]   Places of interest in Rome are the Capitol Theater, Eric Canal Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument, John B. Jervis House, John F. Kennedy Civic Center (Home of Rome Frenzy Hockey), Rome Art & Community Center, Rome Historical Society Museum, Rome Sand Plains Conservation Area, Rome Sports Hall of Fame, Sears Oil Company Museum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution and Utica Rome Speedway. The nearby county seat of Utica has the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, Children’s Museum of Utica, Fountain Elms Mansion, F.X. Matt Brewing Company, Hotel Utica (1912), Mohawk Valley Ballet, Munson-Williams Proctor Art Institute, National Distance Running Hall of Fame, Oneida County Courthouse, Oneida County Historical Society, Players of Utica, Sculpture Space, Stanley Center for the Arts, Utica Memorial Auditorium, and the Utica Symphony Orchestra. Turning Stone Resort and Casino is located southwest of Rome on NY Route 365 and I 90.   There are several state forest areas to the north of Rome. Nearby lakes include Delta Lake, Hinckley Reservoir, Kayuta Lake, and Oneida Lake. State parks in the area include Chittenango State Park, Delta Lake State Park, Pixley Falls State Park and Verona Beach State Park. The Adirondack Mountains and Adirondack Park lie to the northeast of Rome.   Notable residents of Rome include Francis Bellamy, author of the United States Pledge of Allegiance; Walter R. Brooks, children’s author; Mark Chadbourne, composer and recording artist; Jerry Cook, former NASCAR driver; Richie Evans, former NASCAR driver; Henry A. Foster, United States Representative & Senator; Alex Haley, author of Roots; John B. Jervis, civil engineer; Tome Myslinski, NFL football player; and Benjamin Wright, Chief Engineer of the Erie Canal.   Notes:   1. http://www.amazon.com/For-Namesake-Travel-Book-ebook/dp/B00CBM6JFK/ or   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-namesake-a-travel-book-places-in-america-inspired-by-famous-world-cities-rick-etchells/1115130086?ean=2940016722009   2. http://history.rays-place.com/ny/onei-rome.htm   3. http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=1548   Picture: Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome , New York (Wikimedia Commons - National Park Service Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

New London, Minnesota

This entry is about New London, Minnesota, a small town with a surprising number of attractions. New London is just one of 14 "London's" that you can read about in my book "For Namesake, a Travel Book - Places in America inspired by Famous World Cities". [1]   This month New London will celebrate two events that it sponsors every year. The first is the 27th running of the New London to Brighton Antique Car Run. Details are available at: http://www.antiquecarrun.org Next on August 17 they will celebrate the New London Music Festival. There is a nice website for this with videos of all of the performers at: http://newlondonmusicfestival.com   New London, Minnesota (45.30108, -94.94418) http://aMAP.to/newlondon-minnesota     New London, Minnesota is a town of 1,251 located in Kandiyohi County along Minnesota Route 9. The motto of New London is “Life, Simply Better”. It lies 15 miles northeast of Willmar, the county seat of Kandiyohi County. The nearest colleges and universities are in St. Cloud, 40 miles to the northeast of New London. There you will find St. Cloud State University, a campus of Global University/Minnesota School of Business and a campus of Rasmussen College. Willmar has a campus of Ridgewater College, a 2-year community college.   A Swedish emigrant named Louis Larson discovered the falls on the Crow River near the site of New London in 1860. Within the next two years he built a cabin there and started construction of a dam and sawmill. In August of 1862, the Dakota Indian War broke out, forcing Larson and other settlers in the area to flee for their safety. In 1865 Larson returned with another settler named Samuel Stone. They rebuilt the dam and sawmill and also added a gristmill. Setters in the area would come to them for lumber, flour and other items. Larson named the small community that had sprung up New London, after New London, Wisconsin. By 1868 the population had grown to about 40 people with three stores and a blacksmith shop. The tiny town became the county seat of Mononagalia County from 1866 to 1870 when it was merged with Kandiyohi County. The original courthouse still stands on Main Street in town. [2] The town mill remained in operation for 73 years until 1938 when the federal government acquired the mill, the dam and the water rights for a fish hatchery, which is now operated by the state of Minnesota. The railroad arrived in 1886 connecting New London to Willmar and St. Cloud. The New London Library was founded in 1887 starting with $50 in books raised by the local students. [3]   For a small town, New London has a number of attractions including the Art House Gallery, Glacial Lakes Bicycle Trail, Kaleidoscope Art Gallery, Little Crow Water Ski Shows, Little Theater of New London, Monongalia Historical Society & Museum and the New London Fish Hatchery. New London is home to the New London Music festival and the New London to Brighton Antique Car Run, both of which are held every August. The small community of Eden Valley has the Amaze’n Farmyard with 19,000 square feet of mazes and farm animals. Litchfield offers the Forest City Stockade, the Grand Army of the Republic Hall & History Museum and the Litchfield, Civic Arena. 7 Miles east of Litchfield, in Darwin, you will find the Darwin Twine Ball, the largest ball of twine in the world made by a single person. Paynesville has the Antique Center, Paynesville Antique Mall and the Paynesville Historical Museum. In Spicer you may see the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center and the Spicer Castle. Willmar offers The Barn Theater, J&L Bison Ranch, Kandiyohi County Historical Museum, Memorial Room in Willmar City Auditorium, Mikkelson Falls Flyers Boat Collection, Schwanke Museum and the Willmar Arts Council. Willmar is located at the southern end of the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway, which runs some 245 miles throughout this part of Minnesota. [4]   There are many lakes in this area of Minnesota; the largest are Green Lake, Lake Koronis, Long Lake, Mud Lake and Norway Lake. Nearby state parks include Glacial Lakes State Park, Monson Lake State Park and Sibley State Park. For winter sports, Powder Ridge Ski Area is located to the east of New London near the community of Kimball.   Notable residents of the county seat of Willmar include Bradley Joseph, music composer; George Nelson, former NASA astronaut; Kenneth L. Olson, Medal of Honor recipient; Albert E. Rice, politician; Marion Ross, actress best known for her role as Marion Cunningham on TV’s Happy Days; and Curt Swan, illustrator of Superman comics.   Notes:   1. http://www.amazon.com/For-Namesake-Travel-Book-ebook/dp/B00CBM6JFK/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-namesake-a-travel-book-places-in-america-inspired-by-famous-world-cities-rick-etchells/1115130086?ean=2940016722009   2. http://www.newlondonmn.com/images/history_sign.jpg   3. http://www.rootsandroutes.net/body.htm?http&&&www.rootsandroutes.net/londonmn.htm   4. http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/11186/index.html   Picture is the Beach at Sibley State Park near New London. Picture Credit: (Wikimedia Commons - John Mahowald CC-BY-SA)
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For Namesake
 

Paris, Tennessee

July 14 this week was French National Day, known more commonly to us as Bastille Day. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, an event that celebrated the end of the French Revolution. It also corresponds to the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The French celebrate this day with gatherings and fireworks much as we celebrate our July 4 Independence Day. So I thought it appropriate that this entry in the For Namesake Blog should be for a town in America named after the French City of Paris. In my book "For Namesake, a Travel Book" I write about thirteen such incorporated towns named Paris.[1] For this entry I have chosen Paris Tennessee where they have a very nice 60 foot high replica of the Eiffel Tower. The tower is located on Maurice Fields Drive near the intersection with Volunteer Drive. Here are the coordinates (36.286774, -88.301557) and a link to a map http://aMAP.to/eiffeltower-paristn       Paris, Tennessee is a city of 10,156 located in Henry County along US Routes 79 and 641. Tennessee Routes 54 and 69 also pass through the town. Paris is on a fork of the West Sandy River and is the county seat of Henry County. It lies 90 miles west of Nashville. The closest college is Bethel College in McKenzie.   Henry County was formed in 1821 and was named for Patrick Henry. The town of Paris was established as the county seat in September of 1823, becoming West Tennessee’s oldest incorporated community. The town was named for the French capital in honor of Lafayette who had visited Tennessee in the early 1800’s. The county’s first courthouse was a two room “dogtrot” type of log cabin built that first year. Court was held in one room while pies and liquor were sold in the other room. Henry County sent more than 2,500 volunteers to the Confederacy in the Civil War giving it the title of Volunteer County of the Volunteer State”. In March of 1862 Union forces under General Ulysses S. Grant, attacked the Confederate encampment at Paris. General Nathan Bedford Forrest of the Confederacy began his Johnsonville Campaign at Paris Landing in October of 1864. In World War II Camp Tyson was built south of Paris and trained thousands of American servicemen for the Barrage Balloon Service of the Coast Artillery Corps. The camp also held German prisoners of War. In 1821 Henry County’s first tourist attraction Sulphur Well, was created by accident when a well was sunk in an attempt to locate a salt bed on a Chickasaw Indian reservation. A summer resort was established there allowing persons to take the waters to promote their health. Many sought refuge there during an 1837 yellow fever epidemic. Sulphur Well was covered up in 1944 when the Tennessee Valley Authority created Kentucky Lake, the largest man made lake in the United States. Paris Landing State Park was created at the lake in 1945 and Paris became known as the “Capital City of Kentucky Lake”. [2]   In Paris you may see the Eiffel Tower Replica (60 feet high), Henry County Courthouse, Historic Downtown Paris with a walking tour, Krider Performing Arts Center, Paris Henry County Arts Council, Paris Henry County Heritage Center, and the Paris Winery. Paris is known as the home of the “World’s Biggest Fish Fry” which is held every April. In nearby Mackenzie you may visit the Gordon Browning Museum and Veterans Memorial Park. Fort Donelson National Battlefield is located at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area near the community of Dover.   The Land Between the Lakes is the name of the region to the northeast of Paris that is between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. There you will find Paris Landing State Park and the Big Sandy Unit of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. Other recreational sites in easy driving distance from Paris include Big Cypress Tree State Natural Area, Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park, Stewart State Forest and the West Sandy Wildlife Management Area.   Notable residents of Paris include Howell Edmunds Jackson, United States Supreme Court Justice; Vernon Jarrett, newspaper columnist; Bobby Jones, Grammy Award winning gospel singer; Cherry Jones, Tony Award wining actress; Charles Gilbert “Chick” King, Major League Baseball player; Henry Neal, pianist & part of the piano duo Nelson and Neal; James D. Porter, Jr., former Tennessee Governor; and Stephen M. Veazey, president of the Community of Christ.   Another Namesake Town, "Milan Tennessee", lies just forty miles to the southwest of Paris.   Notes:   1. http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B00CBM6JFK/ http://www.barnesand...n=2940016722009   2. http://www.paristnchamber.com/history.htm   Picture credit (Wikimedia Commons - User: Chiacomo Public Domain)  
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For Namesake
 

Geneva And Geneva On The Lake Ohio

It's summer time and its hot. What better way to cool down then to spend some time at the lake. With that in mind, our Namesake town for this entry is Geneva, Ohio and the nearby summer resort town of Geneva on the Lake. Both are located in Ashtabula County, which has a wealth of museums and sites of historic interest. In addition there are some eighteen covered bridges in the county, including both the longest and shortest covered bridges in the United States. Add the ten or so wineries in the county and what's not to like?   At 613 feet the Smolen-Gulf Bridge, loacted on Ashtabula County Road 25 just south of the city of Ashtabula, is the longest covered bridge in the country and the fourth longest in the world. The map coordinates are (41.855458,-80.762204). At just 18 feet the shortest covered bridge is the West Liberty Street Bridge in the town of Geneva. The map coordinates for it are (41.799183,-80.948532). [1]   Please comment if you like these entries or have any feedback to offer.   From the book "For Namesake, a Travel Book" [2]:   Geneva, Ohio is a town of 6,215 located in Ashtabula County along US Route 20. It lies 25 miles from the Pennsylvania border and 45 miles northeast of Cleveland. Geneva on the Lake is a town of 1,288, which lies 5 miles north of Geneva on Ohio Route 534. The county seat of Ashtabula County is Jefferson, located 10 miles southeast of Geneva. The closet college is Lake Erie College in the city of Painesville.   Ashtabula County was established in 1807 and was the first county created in the Connecticut Western Reserve. The area around Geneva was originally part of Harpersfield Township. In 1816 a small group of settlers decided to withdraw from Harpersfield and create their own community. They named it Geneva for the scenic town of Geneva, New York. With the completion of the Eric Canal in 1825, its location close to the lakefront added to its attraction. In 1829 the first post office was established. By 1840 the population was over 1,200. The Lake Shore railway came from Cleveland through Geneva to Ashtabula in 1852. The community of Geneva was incorporated as an official Ohio Village in 1866. By 1896 the village had a population of three thousand persons. In the early 1900’s Geneva gained its first automobile industry company with the manufacture of the Geneva Steamer in 1901. The company that manufactured this car closed just 3 years later. A few other attempts were made to manufacture automobiles in Geneva; however they too only lasted a few years. The grape industry has played an important part in the economy of Geneva and still does so today. In 1958 having obtained a population over 5000, Geneva was incorporated as an official Ohio “City”. [3]   Geneva on the Lake was Ohio’s first summer resort. It began in 1869 with the opening of the first public picnic ground on a bluff above Lake Erie known as Sturgeon Point. By the early 1900’s it had evolved into a camping and fishing playground for America’s elite. Incorporated as an Ohio Village in 1927; today it is a premier lakeshore vacationland. [4]   Ashtabula County has sixteen museums and sites of historic interest; the following is a sampling of those you may want to visit. The city of Ashtabula has Great Lakes Marine & Coast Guard Memorial Museum, Hubbard House (a northern terminus of the Underground Railroad) and Olin’s Museum of Covered Bridges. Conneaut has the Conneaut Historical Railroad Museum. Shandy Hall, 2 miles south of Geneva, is the 1815 home of Robert Harper and said to be the oldest frame house in the Western Reserve to be preserved in its original form. Hartsgrove has the Presidential Museum. In Jefferson you will find a nice railroad depot and the Victorian Perambulation Museum. In Windsor there is the Servants of Mary Center for Peace featuring a fifty-foot statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There are eighteen covered bridges in Ashtabula County including the longest one in the United States, spanning a distance of 613 feet. [1] The warm breezes off of Lake Erie make this region a prime location for growing grapes and there are some ten wineries in the county. [5] Geneva hosts an annual Grape festival in September. Geneva on the Lake is a very popular summer resort with a strip of tourist oriented businesses and parks. To learn about all of the attractions in the area stop by the Geneva on the Lake Visitor Information center at 5536 Lake Road.   Enjoy the Lake Erie shoreline with boating, camping, hiking, fishing or just relaxing at Geneva State Park, just one mile from Geneva on the Lake. Additional recreation areas include Pymatuning State Park and Reservoir, Mosquito Lake State Park and Reservoir, Headlands Beach State Park, and Punderson State Park.   Notable residents of Geneva include Brian Anderson, major league baseball pitcher; Edward S. Ellis, dime novel author; and Ransom E. Olds, automobile industry pioneer.       Notes:   1. http://www.experience-ohio-amish-country.com/covered-bridges.html   2. http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B00CBM6JFK/   http://www.barnesand...n=2940016722009   3. http://www.genevaohio.com/history.html   4. http://www.visitgenevaonthelake.com/history.htm   5. http://www.accvb.org/wineries.html   Picture is Harpersfield Covered Bridge, at 228 feet in length this was the longest covered bridge in Ohio until the construction of the Smolen-Gulf Bridge in 2008. Picture Credit: (Wikimedia Commons – User: Homefryes CC-BY-SA)
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For Namesake
 

U. S. Open And Lima, Pennsylvania

This week the 113Th U.S. Open Golf Championship is being held at Merion Golf club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. The U. S. Open is one of the four golf major tournaments held each year. As such all of the top golfers in the world will be there. Merion Golf Club was established in 1896 and has hosted more USGA championships than any other golf course in America. This week's U. S. Open will be the eighteenth such tournament held at Merion. For more information and to enjoy all the action see the tournament website [1] I would love to go but its's a long way from Texas so I will enjoy it from the comfort of my armchair. Please comment if you are able to attend.   Ardmore is a suburb of the major city of Philadelphia on its west end. Interesting enough Ardmore itself could have been one of our Namesake Cities as it was originally named "Athensville". It was renamed to Ardmore in 1873.[2] The Lincoln Highway, passes through Ardmore on US 30.   Our Namesake City for this entry is Lima, Pennsylvania which is located just 10 miles to the south west of Ardmore at the intersection of Pennsylvania Routes 352 and 452. This is just north of yet another famous US highway, US 1. Another Namesake City, "Berlin, New Jersey" lies 24 miles south east of Ardmore across the Delaware River. You may read about it and many other Namesake Cities in the book "For Namesake, a Travel Book"[3]   Here is the Information about Lima from "For Namesake":     Middletown Township was established in 1687. The name is thought to come from its location in the center of what was then Chester County. In 1806 Phillip Yarnell obtained a license to open and operate a tavern at the Middletown Crossroads. That spot was then known as Lima, although no one knows why it was named that. The tavern was known as the Pine-Apple and became a wild place known for its cheap whiskey. It was so wild that Phillip had much difficulty in maintaining his liquor license from year to year and the place became known as Wrangletown. A post office was established there in 1832. It was originally named Hamor’s Store presumably because it was located in the general store that had been built there in 1829. A lumberyard was opened in the area about that same time. The tavern closed for good in 1836 and soon there after the name of the locality reverted back to Lima. [4] Lima was never incorporated and is officially a Census Designated Place or CDP.   There are many attractions in the communities near Lima. Brookhaven offers the 1724 Old Chester Court House, Caleb Pusey House and Landingford Plantation. Chadds Ford has the Brandywine River Museum. Chester is on the Brandywine Scenic Byway and has Harrah’s Casino. Chester Springs offers Eagle’s Crest Vineyard, Halls Covered Bridge and Historic Yellow Springs. In Media you may visit Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation with Civil War Reenactments, Delaware County Courthouse, Hedgerow Theater, Linvilla Orchards, Media Theater for Performing Arts, Middletown Friends Meetinghouse, Pennsylvania Veterans Museum and the Turning Point Art Gallery. Newton Square has Bartrams Covered Bridge, Fox Leap Vineyards and the Paper Mill House Museum. The community of West Chester offers the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, Brandywine Ballet, William Brinton 1704 House, Debottis Art Gallery, Harmony Hill Covered Bridge, Strodes Mill Gallery, The Arts Scene and West Chester Railroad. There are a total of fifteen covered bridges in nearby Chester County. [5] Just a half hours drive from Lima are the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. See all the attractions in Philadelphia at the “Visit Philly” web site [6] and those in Wilmington at the “Visit Wilmington” web Site. [7]   Tyler Arboretum in Media is one of the largest arboretums in the northeastern United States. It offers 650 acres of plantings and some 20 miles of trails. Nearby is Rose Tree Park. You can try your luck at fly fishing at FlyFish Pennsylvania, also in Media. Just to the north are Springton Reservoir and Ridley Creek State Park.   Notable residents of Delaware County include Danny Bonaduce, actor; Mary Ellen Clark, Olympic diver; Ed Dougherty, professional golfer; Tina Fey, actress; W.C. Fields, comedian; Harry Kalas, sportscaster; Todd Rundgren, singer-songwriter; Ethel Waters, jazz vocalist; and Ed Yarnall, Major League baseball pitcher from Lima.   Notes:   1. http://www.usopen.com/index.html   2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardmore,_PA   3. http://www.amazon.co.../dp/B00CBM6JFK/   http://www.barnesand...n=2940016722009   4. Ashmead, Henry Graham, History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: L.H. Everts & Co., 1884) p. 630 http://www.delawarecountyhistory.com/documents/Delco-Ashmead.pdf   5. http://pacoveredbridges.com   6. http://www.visitphilly.com   7. http://www.visitwilmingtonde.com   Picture Credit: Wikimedia Commons - User:Smallbones Public Domain "School at Middletown Friends Meetinghouse near Lima, Pennsylvania"
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For Namesake
 

Florence, Kansas

This entry in our Blog about Namesake Cities is about Florence, Kansas. I chose this town because I spent the Memorial Day weekend visiting my Mother in Law who lives in nearby Newton, KS.   Florence, Kansas was once a busy railroad town that reached a peak population of nearly 3000 in the 1920's. Since then it has declined and today is a mere shadow of its former self. Still though it has an interesting history. The very first overnight establishment opened by the Fred Harvey company was the Clifton Hotel in Florence. Today it is a museum and restaurant. You can read about Florence at the city Web Site [1].   Here is a view of the Santa Fe Railroad Depot today in Florence.   There is an interesting double stone arch bridge over the Cottonwood River located south of the small community of Clements which is northeast of Florence along US 50. [2]     From "For Namesake, a Travel Book - Places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities"[5]:     Florence, Kansas is a village of 465 located in Marion County along US Routes 50 and 77. It lies 12 miles southeast of the county seat of Marion. The Cottonwood River flows just to the east of the village, which promotes itself as “Nestled in a Valley of Opportunity”. The closest colleges are Tabor College near Hillsboro and Bethel College in North Newton.   Florence was organized by the Florence Town Company, a group of men who proposed to build a town site where the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad would cross the Cottonwood River. It was established in 1870 and named in honor of the daughter of Samuel Crawford, ex governor of Kansas and member of the Florence Town Company. For a long time it was the only town in Marion County with a railroad. In the 1890’s as many as eight passenger trains a day would come through town. Florence was incorporated in 1872 and grew to its peak size of between 2000-3000 by the early 1920’s. Running water came to the village in 1888; the source was the Cottonwood River. As the village grew, a better source was required and in 1920 it switched its water supply to Crystal Spring, which supplies cool, good tasting 99.96% spring water to the village water tower to this day. Being on the River, flooding of the town occurred on numerous occasions. The most serious was in 1951 when 90% of the town was under water up to a foot and a half deep. In 1964 levees were constructed to the south and east of town and since then no flooding has occurred. [3]   In the early 1870’s the Fred Harvey Company was founded with the purpose of offering good food in clean elegant restaurants to the traveling public throughout the southwest. In 1878 they opened there first overnight establishment, the Clifton Hotel in Florence. By 1884 at their peak, there were seventeen “Harvey Houses” along the Santa Fe Railroad. Learn about their history and see pictures at the Harvey House Home page on the web. [4] Today the Clifton Hotel is a museum and restaurant. Other places of historic interest include the Doyle House from 1881, the 110-foot landmark water tower from 1888 and the Bichet School east of town from 1896. The Santa Fe depot was built in the early 1900’s but is now closed. Every year Florence sponsors the “Tour De Florence” a bicycle tour through the nearby Flint Hills. They also have a farmers market and yearly Spring Flings and Labor Day festivities. Nearby, three museums of interest are; Kauffman Museum in North Newton, Mennonite Heritage Museum in Goessel and Roniger Memorial Museum in Cottonwood Falls. The Roniger Museum has an extensive collection of Indian artifacts. The Flint Hills Scenic Byway runs along US 177 through the village of Strong City. In the western part of Marion County traces of the Santa Fe Trail still exist.   There are two large parks in Florence, Moses Shrine Park and Grandview Park. Boating is available at Marion Reservoir northwest of Marion. Southeast of Marion is a smaller lake, with a beech for swimming, at Marion County Park. Thirty miles south of Florence is Eldorado Lake and State Park. Hiking trails are available and a small head of Bison can be seen at the Tall Grass Prairie National Preserve north of Strong City.   Notable residents of Florence include J. Ware Butterfield, Charles O. Fuller and J. K. McLean; all members of the Kansas House of Representatives.   Notes:   1. http://www.florenceks.com   2. http://kansastravel.org/clementsbridge.htm   3. http://www.florenceks.com/text/city/city_history.htm   4. http://www.harveyhouses.net   5. http://www.amazon.com/For-Namesake-Travel-Book-ebook/dp/B00CBM6JFK/   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-namesake-a-travel-book-places-in-america-inspired-by-famous-world-cities-rick-etchells/1115130086?ean=2940016722009   Article Picture is the 1896 Bichet School located east of Florence, Kansas. Photo Credit: (Wikimedia Commons – User: Brylie CC-BY-SA)    
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For Namesake
 

California National Parks + Georgetown, California

I have just returned from a week's vacation to Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks in California. Each of them are fabulous in their own way and I would highly recommend that you visit them in you are able to. Like the Grand canyon you need to see these at least one time in your life.   On the first day of our trip we flew in to Fresno and then drove to Three Rivers, California to spend the night. Three Rivers is just south of Sequoia National Park.   The next day we spent in Sequoia National Park and visited the big trees including the General Sherman Tree and took a hike to the top of More Rock.   The General Sherman Tree is the Largest Tree in the World based on the volume of wood and too large to get in one single photo. This will give you some idea of its size.   The Hike to Moro Rock was well worth the more than 350 steps UP that it took to get there. Here is just part of the view from the top.   We spent the night at Montecito Sequoia Lodge which is located on the Generals Highway right between Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks. They had a small lake which you could row a boat on and great meals. The meals which included Dinner and a great breakfast are all part of the lodging price which was quite reasonable.     The next day we spent the morning driving through Kinds Canyon and then drove on to our base of operation for visiting Yosemite National Park. Here is a view of the Canyon.     Our base of operation for our visit to Yosemite was the Highland House B&B near Mariposa just one hour from the west entrance of Yosemite. I highly recommend this B&B, very friendly folks, great breakfasts and more hummingbirds than I have ever seen in one spot at a time.     We had two days to visit the park. The first day was very full from 9AM to about 7 PM visiting the Yosemite Valley, driving the Tioga Road which we were surprised to find open tis early in the year and seeing Hetch Hetchy which forms mush of the water supply for the city of San Francisco. Do a web search on Hetch Hetchy and read about its amazing history and the controversy with none other than John Muir.   Here is a view of the reservoir.     The 2nd day we drove the southern part of the park and visited the Mariposa grove of big Sequoia trees, took the road to Glacier Point. THe lead photo of this blog entry is taken from Glacier Point. We also stopped at Tunnel View. Here is a photo of yours truly from Tunnel View.   After a fabulous time with a third night at the Highland House B&B, it was a grueling day of travel back home to Houston. We arrived back home at 12:30 AM the next day.   You may ask what does all of this have to do with our Namesake towns that we have been talking about. Well just about a 100 miles northwest of Yosemite National Park you will find the town of Georgetown, California. Georgetown was founded as part of the California Gold Rush of 1849 so it has quite a history also. If it wasn't for it and the many other Gold camps, California would be quite different than it is today.     Georgetown, California is a town of 2,367 located in El Dorado County along California Route 193. It lies 12 miles north of Placerville, the county seat of Eldorado County and 12 miles east of Auburn. The nearest colleges and universities are in Sacramento, the capital of California. These include the California State University Sacramento Campus, Capital Bell College and Trinity Life Bible College.   For more information on Georgetown please see my book "For Namesake, a Travel Book - Places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities" at the the links given below.   Links:   For Namesake at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Namesake-Travel-Book-Inspired-ebook/dp/B00CBM6JFK   For Namesake at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-namesake-a-travel-book-places-in-america-inspired-by-famous-world-cities-rick-etchells/1115130086?ean=2940016722009   Montecito Sequoia Lodge: http://www.mslodge.com   Highland House B&B: http://www.highlandhouseinn.com/?gclid=CIHCo4GSoLcCFYFQ7AodSSsAAw        
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For Namesake
 

Florence, Oregon

This installment of our blog about places in America Inspired by Famous World Cities is about Florence, Oregon. It is from the Book "For Namesake, a Travel Book". Florence is an interesting place with a very nice bridge across the Siuslaw River. This week they hold their Annual Rhododendron festival from May 17 to May 19. If you aren't able to visit check out the pictures of Rhododendron's on Either Google or Bing Images, very nice. Also be sure to read up on the famous exploding whale incident below - unbelievable. If anyone has visited Florence please leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of it.     Florence, Oregon is a town of 8,466 located in Lane County along the Pacific Coast Highway, US Route 101. It lies along the Pacific Coast at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, some 50 miles west of Eugene, the county seat of Lane County. There is a satellite campus of Lane County Community College in Florence. The main campus is in Eugene as is the University of Oregon. US Highway 101, known as the Pacific Coast Highway, runs mostly along the coast from Port Angeles, Washington to Los Angeles, California. It is highly scenic and almost as historic and famous as Route 66. When you drive it, enjoy the beautiful scenery, but beware that is can be a twisty windy road in many areas. Learn about it at the us-101.com website. [1]   The first settlers in the area around Florence were the Siuslaw Indians. Lane County was established in 1851. White settlers came to the area around Florence in the 1870’s. The story of how the settlement received its name is a matter of discussion. Historical records at the University of Oregon indicate that a sailing vessel named Florence was wrecked nearby along the coast in 1875. Legend has it that a wooden board, with the name of the boat on it, was found by local Indians and given to the townspeople. Thomas Safly supposedly nailed this board to the hotel in town, that was also the post office, and with that the town was named Florence. Others claim that the town was named for State Senator A.B. Florence. He was a supporter of the coastal region and it would be logical that the townspeople might name their town after him. The early 1880’s saw the growth of sawmills and a salmon cannery along the Siuslaw River in the area. The town was incorporated in 1893. [2]   Florence has a number of places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among them is the Edwin M. Benedict House, said to have inspired Ken Kesey’s Stamper house from his novel “Sometimes a Great Notion”. The William Kyle and Sons mercantile building dates from 1901 and the Art Deco Siuslaw Bridge from 1936. There are two museums in town, the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum and Dolly Wares Doll Museum. The waterfront Old Town district has a number of excellent seafood restaurants. You can try your luck at Three Rivers Casino located just outside of town on the Florence-Eugene Highway (Oregon Route 126). Ten miles to the north of town you may view Sea Lions at Sea Lion Caves, said to be the world’s largest sea cave. If covered bridges strike your fancy, there are some 20 of them located throughout Lane County. [3] Every May, since1908, Florence has hosted its annual Florence Rhododendron festival.   Florence is the site of the infamous exploding whale incident. This took place in 1970 when the Oregon State Highway Division thought it would be a good idea to blow up a beached sperm whale with dynamite. Needless to say they got more than they bargained for. You can watch the video at “The Exploding Whale .com” web site [4]   Florence abounds in opportunities for outdoor recreation. Head a few miles south to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, where you can hike or ride a dune buggy on the extensive coast side sand dunes, some of which reach 500 feet in height. Or you may take a jet boat or old fashioned sternwheeler out on the Siuslaw River. Fishing and boating are available at any of 17 lakes in the area. The Oregon coast has more than 60 State Parks or recreation sites. The five near Florence are Jesse M. Honeymoon Memorial State Park, Darlingtonia State Nature Site, Bolon Island Tideways State Scenic Corridor, Carl C. Washburne Memorial State Park, and Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint.   One famous resident of Florence is poet Scott Wannberg, author of the book “Strange Movie of Death”.   Notes:   <http://www.us-101.com>
<http://www.northwestmagazines.com/oregon_coast_florence_origin_of_name.php>
<http://www.lanecounty.org/About/Documents/Cov_Br_Bro_03.pdf>
<http://www.theexplodingwhale.com>
Photo Credit: (Wikimedia Commons – Sam Beebe CC-BY-SA)  
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For Namesake
 

Athens, Texas

Since I recently returned from a trip to Athens, Texas I would like to start this Blog with that town. If you go I can highly recommend the restaurant at the Lake Athens Marina. The catfish was fantastic. Plan to arrive early enough in the day to visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries center which is also located on lake Athens which is just about 4 miles east of the town.     Athens, Texas is a city of 12,710 located 70 miles southeast of Dallas on US 175. Texas Routes 31 and 19 also bisect the city. It is the county seat of Henderson County and home to Trinity Valley Community College. Several Lakes and recreation areas are located nearby.   Athens was established and became the county seat of Henderson County in 1850. It was named Athens after Athens, Greece, because it was expected to become the cultural center of the state. Athens was a small village in its early years and had no improved roads or sidewalks. The Cotton Belt Railroad arrived in 1880, followed by the Texas and New Orleans in 1900. The city was incorporated in 1902. Cotton was the main agricultural crop until around 1930; however, during the depression it switched to livestock and vegetables. Industry arrived in the 1950’s, and Athens had a furniture plant and an electronics manufacturer. By the 1980’s many other small industries were added. [13]   Trinity Valley Community College was established in 1946 and was named for the nearby Trinity River. They have around 6,500 students with campuses in Athens, Palestine, Terrell and Kaufman, Texas. The school also offers a distance-learning program.   Athens has been called the “Black Eye Pea Capital of the World” and was the largest producer of them from the 1930’s to the 1970’s. It still holds an annual festival to celebrate them called “The Black Eye Pea Jamboree” every July. Even from Egyptian times the pea has been a symbol of good luck. Tradition has it that those who eat this inexpensive and modest food on New Years day will bring good fortune to themselves for the entire year. This is so prevalent in Texas that rumor has it you can lose your Texas citizenship if you don’t participate in this time honored ritual. [14]   According to local lore, Athens is also supposed to be where the hamburger sandwich got its first start. The story goes that it was invented by a man by the name of Fletcher Davis and that he introduced them to the world at the 1904 St. Louis Worlds Fair after first serving then in his downtown Diner in Athens. The “Uncle Fletch’s Burger and Bar-B-Q cook off festival is held every year in downtown Athens in June. [15]   The Athens Visitors center located on the downtown square at 124 N. Palestine can provide information on all the local area attractions. These include the Athens Scuba Park, offering underwater viability up to 70 feet; Henderson County Historical Museum; East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society with a 100-acre arboretum featuring walking trails and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. This complex offers more than 300,000 gallons of aquarium exhibits and includes nearly every species of freshwater fish seen in Texas. The center is located at 5550 Flat Creek Road (F.M. 2495) near Lake Athens. It is a must see if you are in the area. The nearby city of Palestine, offers the very popular Texas State Railroad, a 25-mile steam train excursion to the town of Rusk and back.   Lakes abound in the Athens area and include Cedar Creek Reservoir, Lake Athens, Lake Palestine, and Richland-Chambers Reservoir. Purtis Creek State Park is located near Cedar Creek Reservoir and also includes its own 335-acre lake.   United States District Court Judge, William Wayne Justice, was born in Athens, first practiced law there, and was city attorney for 8 years. President Lyndon Johnson appointed him to the district court in 1968.   Notes:     13. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hea05>   14. <http://texaslesstraveled.com/blackeyedpea.htm>   15. <http://www.hamburgerhome.com>  
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