|
|
|
|
Smith Center styled itself as “The Heart of Uncle Sam” – a reference to its geographical position, not at sort of role in a metaphorical circular system. (Apparently the actual center of the country is in nearby Lebanon.) The town – named for a Civil War Major, Nathan Central – is your typical middle-of-America plains hamlet, and I’m gratified to learn that the U.S. Central still exists.
This particular photo was taken by Jim Clark, who ran “Clark’s Studio” in Smith Center. Those were the days, no? Every small town of a certain size had a photography studio. Indistinguishable photos of the town’s early years are here; an realty ad for the town’s old bank is here. Yours for 35K.

|