Rev ‘em up! We’re heading to Sturgis!

Well, no. Different Sturgis.

The shot above is as close I can get to the postcard - a lot seems to have changed, including the loss of some buildings on the right.

Ten thousand souls. Let’s see what Downtown looks like.

It looks like the tree threw up some bad leaves after a long night, is what it looks like.

A fine old commercial structure - if I had to guess, I’d say the store that occupied the ground floor built the whole thing.

From a local department store (I’m guessing) to a Salvation Army store.

The renovation flakes off; the overhang is no longer held up by chains.

B & D got a nice modernization that had nothing to do with the rest of the building. Pity about that Buckaroo’d overhang.

The old sign with its cryptic welcome to the members.

The space around the window was bigger than the windows, because the “columns” gave the building an upward thrust, and a certain dynamism.

Looks like it’s missing something, right? Like a theater?

The most cinematreasures.org can offer: it’s been open since before 1932.

Okay, but the meter’s running, and I can’t stand here forever

Here’s the context. On the left, the WAIT building, the entrance to the Strand. As for the building to its right . . .

The date doesn’t line up with the style - and Mr. Wait built the theater, did he . . . wait 60 years to do so?

A site that reprints old hagiographies of local luminaries:

Politically, he votes the straight Republican ticket, and energetically supports the principles of his party. He established the Sturgis Journal in 1860, and continued to run the same until 1875. Mr. Wait is, and has been for a number of years, very extensively engaged in the mercantile business, and kept four peddling wagons on the road for several years.

Came to the area in 1834, so I’m thinking the other Wait building was the work of his son?

I love this, just because it’s a survivor:

In the family on that spot since 1944.

It really makes me want to drive to town to see if those letters revolve.

And if they do, to ask someone “why.”

Okay, now I have to go back to the google street view and see if I’m right.

Ah: I am. They revolve.

Also:

The 19th century is well represented:

The one on the left interests me, the way it marks off the roof like that. Can’t be chimneys. Could be chimneys.

Any wagers on a cupola?

Can’t find any old pictures to confirm.

Was there a structural reason the windows on the turret couldn’t be wider? It would seem to be something you’d want.

A mishmash of bad brick decisions. But it’s lively.

Oh, jeez

You can barely see the old building screaming to get out.

“C’mon, Bob! Please! Come in with me on this, and we’ll do the whole front. It’ll be ultra-modern.”

“No.”

I’ve said this before, but it’s like they built the structure to anticipate Google street view glitches in the camera stitching.

I can’t tell you how uncomfortable this makes some people.

WE GOT TO MOVE THESE REFRIGERATORS

WE GOT TO MOVE THESE COLOR TVS

I love this style, because you can always tell what it is, and when it was born.

Usually needs a good scrub, though.

OUMB, which replaced a columned structure, according to the postcard above.

See, it’s echoing the columns. It’s being historically respectful.

There’s more! Have a look if you wish, and find the train station.