Somoeone should write a book or make a website about all the Columbuses. Let's just say this is one of them, and it's nice. As you would expect a small Indiana town to be. Is that a strange thing to say? Perhaps; I have little experience with the state, but think of it as one of the sensible places that manages life quite nicely.

Beautiful Dubya RIZZO

I love that. The letters seem to be more recent than the building, which wouldn’t have used that style of letters.

A fine post-war downtown commercial store, back when you had independent retailers that might be on their second generation except the son wasn’t interested.

What’s that in the back, Pompideu Centre?

I’m guessing it’s a performance art of some kind. I didn’t make a note from when I took the tour.

As usual, these buildings are mirrors for more interesting faces.

There’s no sign of what this is. The google map doesn’t give it a name.

Sometimes the proportions of the previous styles looks odd, spindly, insufficient, a bit incompetent.

Perhaps because they were.

Lots here, even though it’s ordinary. The awning takes away from the building, but it does provide shade.

The bricks are signs of Downtown Revitalization, as are the trash cans and angle parking.

The trees are the show, not the building.

Beautifully preserved. Odd windows on the second floor, though - they’re sitting right on the first floor.

Uh okay,. Sorry. No. Possibly an OUMB.

IRWIN

Not a lot of rentable action on the fourth floor, I’m guessing.

Sorry but yes, it is good. Every town needed one.

It’s not brilliant, it’s not special. But it’s a piece of its time.

Excuse me, I’m looking for Amontillado Dentistry, can’t find it anywhere

Proof that not even the original signs were always good. Unless this was refitted for a new owner. It’s just crammed and odd.

The restoration of the building did not touch the signage, which was added 50+ years after the building was erected.

Not entirely successful, but the sign and the rehab are still better than what most towns get.

ULRICH

One of the few times when you can applaud, without reservation, a total paint job.

BTW:

Originally facing Franklin Street, Fredrick Ulrich was a baker who supplied the Union Army with bread during the Civil War. It was remodeled in 1891 to face 4th Street.

One of those sights that says “Prosperous, if momentarily indolent, town.”

Lucky for them, it’s not retail.

Because those usually don’t work. It’s a community center.

I said that before I googled; hah! The site used to be a mall.

Good Lord, the things they did to downtowns.

The very impressive County Courthouse.

Second Empire is always nice to see; so exuberant and flamboyant. Damn the cost! We’re going to show those East Coasters what we can do out here!

A handy guide to what you might want to do, and what you might not want to do:

CRUMP!

This place matters

Yes, it does. Built in 1889, you say? I wish they’d give the date of the overhaul, lest people in the future think that’s what 1889 looked like. Its wikipedia page says it was redone in 1941 “in the Art Deco style,” which it is not. Sorry. I don’t buy that definition.

Cinema Treasures comes through on some interior shots.

The town is proud of its modernism, according to its website.

Hmm.

That’s a library.

That’s a church.

Nearer my God to Mies, as I say.