Robert Pence

From the post-WWII photos I've seen, showing a completely devastated town centre, I'd guess that they rebuilt most of that almost from scratch on the original foundations, using whatever they could salvage and recreating the rest. It sounds impossible, but I think they did much the same thing in Munich and there are some striking buildings there. They recreated the exterior appearance, often working from original designs but adding modern wiring, plumbing, heating, etc.

I confess. I was savoring Bacardi-fortified hot chocolate (made with a strong-coffee base), and I was feeling sort of floaty when I first saw that railroad bridge photo. The softly-lit bridge deck and bright light at the far end, contrasted against the overall dull, overcast-looking surroundings, made me think, "Ahh. The time/space portal I've been looking for." I just wanted to enter the scene and walk across.

Cinncinnatus, Because Akron is in the City Photos - Ohio section, you may assume that it's a city in Ohio even though the state name isn't given in the thread title. For general information about most cities, Wikipedia is a good place to start. It's not always 100 percent accurate and may be biased one way or the other, but it gives the location, population, and a brief history including industries and settlement patters. Any search engine should turn up the Wikipedia link. In the case of Akron, Ohio, the Wikipedia reference can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akron%2C_Ohio I hope this helps.

Interesting shots. Still quite gritty in a lot of places, but Akron looks better than I remember it from 20 years ago. There's some nice vintage architecture downtown.

Gorgeous photos of a splendid place. The restoration and reconstruction are incredible in scope and craftsmanship. Dresden was the cultural, artistic, and architectural treasure of Germany, and in 1945 US and British air forces incendiary-bombed the city into a wasteland of fire-gutted gutted building shells and rubble.

Great shot! I love the play of light and shadow on the bridge deck.

I'm sorry to hear about your job situation. It's a worrisome time for everyone. I think this is your best photo set yet! Awesome crisp and sharp, and the Spring light is a plus. It looks like Terminal Tower has lost another major batch of scaffolding.

^Truly an inspired view of the Cleveland skyline, Florida Guy :-D In 2003, a little wider and in color:

News update on South Shore's new bi-level cars: http://www.nictd.com/TempPDF/Status_of_New_Cars.pdf From the NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) web site.

Yeah. In fact, I think it was Popular Mechanics where I read basically the same article forty or fifty years ago. Around the same time they were touting new sailing-ship technology, too. But it didn't matter, because Jeanne Dixon was predicting that there would be a nuclear holocaust between the US and USSR in the first half of 1958. And where's my flying car?

Pretty sweet!

No doubt about it, Cleveland looks nicer in summer! Good stuff!

Nice hidden surprise!

Excellent thread. There are some great facades on some of those underutilized buildings, sometimes hidden under a couple of generations of remuddling.

Wonderful photos! I like the winter scenes very much.

Beautiful! That's quite an abundant flow of water for autumn, when things tend to dry up a bit.

Sweet shot! The rivers in rocky places are so beautiful; here in the flatlands, ours are slow and muddy brown.

The view with the Adirondack chair is idyllic. The place looks like a perfect summer getaway.

Northeast Indiana may finally be getting organized and active at a grass-roots level. I just received this announcement. I have a lot going on, but I'm going to try to make it to the announcement tomorrow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- N.I.P.R.A PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT TUESDAY, March 3, 2009—2 PM BAKER STREET STATION, 221 W. BAKER ST.—FORT WAYNE TO ANNOUNCE: RALLY FOR RAIL AT BAKER STREET STATION FRIDAY, APRIL 3RD, 2009 @ 4:30 PM The purpose of the April 3rd RALLY FOR RAIL is to demonstrate to state, federal, and local officials that the citizens of northeast Indiana want rail service to return to the Fort Wayne area with connections to Ohio and Chicago. Speakers of national prominence will be featured and state, federal, and local officials from northeast Indiana will be invited to the RALLY FOR RAIL. For more information, please contact event organizers: Dr. Tom Hayhurst 433-0057 [email protected] Geoff Paddock 432-5700 Fred Lanahan 456-2590 Dr. Phil Wright 432-6690 [email protected] Dr. Harry Reith 486-6515

It ain't an action-hero movie! Everyday life is a tough survival-training camp for some people, and the coursework is based on Darwinian concepts.

Unless you really know how to use a weapon (been trained by a professional), and have the mindset to maim or kill another human without hesitation, you're better off without one. Most law-abiding people will hesitate, if only for an instant. That's all it takes for someone who's street-hardened and not encumbered by compassion or conscience to take the weapon away from you and use it on you. I read someplace that seventy percent of all crime-related shootings are done with the victim's own weapon. If you're going to carry a firearm for protection, you'd best be capable and mentally prepared to pull it out and blow a hole in your assailant before he even has time to register the notion that you're holding it. Then, the burden will be on you to prove that it was self-defense. It's not a place I want to go; I'd prefer to use common sense about sketchy situations and places, and if someone does demand my money, just give it up and hope for the best.

I knew a young man whose parents, in a effort to get him "straightened out" after he came out to them, sent him to Grace College, a Christian liberal arts college and theological seminary at Winona Lake, Indiana. He was having the time of his life. He said gay sex was easier to get at that school than any other place he had ever been. Winona Lake was the center of old-time-religion preacher Billy Sunday, back in the day. He's still memorialized there.

Looks reasonably prosperous and well-maintained. I've heard Maine is a great vacation destination.

As of last August, the signs were still up in Youngstown: Platform access via rickety wood stairs on the right: Erstwhile PRR Station: Another shot, sort of, of the above-mentioned building housing Youngstown Pipe & Supply:

Beautiful work!