Ok, I probably should break this up into a couple of different newsletters but I rather like you experiencing it all at once the way we did, although our viewing was stretched throughout the day, of course.
We planned to leave by 7 am and we left at 7:10 or so. Pretty damned impressive, or perhaps this is the result of getting old. We do have packing for a short trip down pat. Basically, as long as you have your medications and a phone charger, you’re good. And you can always buy a phone charger.
Once we were into Indiana we stopped for our traditional first day of a trip McDonald’s breakfast. We ordered via the app per Leo’s suggestion. Quite exciting. Of course they forgot part of the order. You’d think all that age-earned wisdom would have had us remember to check the damn bag. It didn’t matter though. We shared.
We took the interstate through Indianapolis and got off around Pendleton, stopping for this trim little ice cream and barbecue place, and of course the Snow Castle, because you have to stop at something called a Snow Castle.
Some Masonic neon in Losantville.
Their accompanying flag was looking a bit worn.
Then an elegant old barn as we approached Greenville.
As we drove we saw so many abandoned or rundown houses surrounded by accumulations of, well, stuff. And the sheer number of vehicles, operating or not, that surround many of these rural buildings is mind-boggling.
Finally we headed into Greenville and what a delight that was. We could have spent all afternoon there. It seemed like a healthy little city but not overly cutesied up, just the way I like them.
I rather like barber shops for some reason and thought the lettering on this vitrolite was rather charming.
We headed toward the Maid-Rite drive-in but it was backed up. Not bad given that it was after 2:00 in the afternoon.
Now, you may have noticed something in the previous pictures. And you may have even guessed….the walls are covered with gum. Yup. Gum. The restaurant opened in 1934 and reportedly the habit of sticking your gum on the wall started not long after. Evidently they do spray it off the drive-in section periodically as it attracts bees. Somewhat revolting and yet weirdly delightful.
Downright modernist motel sign and wall.
A nice, neat little cleaners sign.
I love, love, love these exterior stairways. They’re most often gone, or just supports left, and to see one in such nice shape was a delight.
And look, another beautiful example on their Masonic Temple.
I thought the Stardust, a bit south of town, was rather charming, probably because I’m a sucker for the name.
A quick stop in Troy, Ohio, mostly for two signs.
I must admit, I had never heard of this fraternal organization, the Improved Order of Red Men. I kid you not, that’s what it is. Evidently, this private club is still running strong. I mean, I love the neon sign, it’s wonderful, but I’m astounded, or then again not, that this still exists. If you go to their facebook page you can find pictures of them dancing and women in costumes, etc.
The fraternity traces its origins back to 1765 and is descended from the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and liberty in the early Colonies. They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Confederacy and its democratic governing body. Their system, with elected representatives to govern tribal councils, had been in existence for several centuries.
After the War of 1812 the name was changed to the Society of Red Men and in 1834 to the Improved Order of Red Men. They kept the customs and terminology of Native Americans as a basic part of the fraternity. Some of the words and terms may sound strange, but they soon become a familiar part of the language for every member. The Improved Order of Red Men (IORM) is similar in many ways to other major fraternal organizations in the United States.
Perpetuating the beautiful legends and traditions of a once-vanishing race and the keeping alive some of the traditional customs, ceremonies, and philosophies.
Legally, The Improved Order of Red Men is a patriotic fraternity chartered by Congress. It is a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring a greater love for the United States of America and the principles of American Liberty.
redmen.org
And the oldest building in Troy, just to round things out. 1808 if I’m not mistaken, it is in the midst of a restoration. Head to the Overfield Museum website if you want to vote on proposed paint schemes. I voted!
I will only share one thing in Sidney with you today. The others must be saved. This bridge was one of my favorite stops of the day. It is the Big Four Railroad Bridge, built in 1923. Sidney celebrated the bridge’s centenary last year, complete with fireworks. Although passenger trains no longer use it, CSX reportedly still does. These pictures do not begin to capture the scale of this thing. It is utterly massive and sexy as hell. Can a bridge be sexy? If so, this one is.
Oops, I lied, two other sites in Sidney.
Whew.
It was a hell of a wander and it was just beginning. More to come.
Love,
Cynthia