The Good Old Days: Washington and Marquette in the 30s. In the distance, the new Post Office, glowing with all the promise of modern streamlined architecture; in the middle, Nate’s clothiers, which didn’t leave downtown until 2009. The drugstore on the corner is the oldest building in the picture - perhaps 40 years old by the time this picture was taken. Looked like it smelled, and smelled like it looked.

It’s a ramshackle neighborhood, but lively. We’ll look at some closeups for the next few pages.