Twelve thousand souls. Its prosaic Wikipedia entry notes, in the first paragraph, “It is surrounded by agricultural country.”

Or, it’s in agricultural country, not separate from it at all, but intrinsically bound to it.

Okay, enough carping. Let’s get to it. Remember, I snipped these long ago, and am seeing them the same way you, one at a time, opinion unformed.

Wearing the same suit doesn’t make you brothers.

Randall, and his sons, sold “wall paper etc” according to an early document. A pre-paint picture is here.

Yes, we are going to take a look at that sign.
 
 
It’s just not a combo you see anymore these days, do you?
Two guesses what happened here:
Don't find anything about it, but I haven't done a deep search. Fire or tornado - or perhaps just the slow steady hand of time.
One guess as to the original purpose of this structure:
What I can’t figure out is whether it was turned into a bank, bought a bank facade for some class, or was transported in from a dimension where Roman designs influenced gas station construction.
The OUMB
It’s spindly, but I think I like it. At least it's trying.
Why did I snip this one?

Sometimes I have to go to the next shot for an explanation. . . ah.

The old view. Nice renovation.
 
 
 
Sigh.
Right down to the empty dirt where the revitalizing tree no doubt once stood, it’s all too common.
Needs a streamlined covered wagon, if you ask me.
Opened in 1928 as the Ritz; then it was the Pix; then the Fox. Some great 1939 photos here.
Federal Depression style, and I’ll bet those are the original windows.
The bricks on the lower floor don't match, but perhaps at the time they thought they did.
Interesting brick.

Two stores from the start? Not a variety store? A rehab?

This picture triggered an old memory, but I'll tell you about it next week.

“Say, we’re in Nebraska. What goes well with Nebraska?”

“Fake pseudo-historical Spanish?”

“Bingo”
Parking ramps were necessary to get shoppers downtown post-war, but they’re never good for the look and feel of a downtown.
You’re glad it’s there, but you don’t like to pay. They’re clammy and grey. They oppress.
But it’s possible to make them appear a bit lighter, and jazz up the street with some retail.

Providing it’s rented, of course.

Good Lord, I’ve 16 more. Wait until next week, and I’ll finish it up.