Over eight thousand souls. Wikipedia says it was "named after United States Founding Father Oliver Ellsworth." Third Chief Justice of the SCOTUS, too. Also: "John F. Kennedy authored the Encyclopædia Britannica's article on Ellsworth. This was Kennedy's only contribution to the Encyclopedia."

This is the nice little town whose nice little paper we looked at yesterday.

Very New England. The Important Bank.

And it’s still . . . a bank!

The name changed, though. I hope the clock still works. Towns need those.

Completely underwhelming Federal Building. The carving says the name of the town, in case anyone gets momentarily confused. Am I in Trenton? Now, now, just look there, you’ll see. Gee thanks!

Much of downtown looks like this. Plain, sturdy, honest - with windows!

Never underestimate the effect of glass where glass ought to be.

Another joint venture brought to you by . . .

And . . .

And built in 1933, perhaps thinking that business conditions might be coming back around.

Whoa now

That’s remarkable. It’s almost Art Nouveau.

1933 again. Great year for the town!

Handsome, deep, rich.

1933 again?

Hold on a minute. Now I’m suspicious. Let's hit the newspaper archives . . .

Ayup

It was arson, and they caught the guy.

A very New England view, or so I seem to think.

And yes, isn’t it just, though?

Touch and go for a long while. Cinematreasures:

The Grand Theatre was opened in 1938 with a combination of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. It run successfully until 1950 when it closed. It re-opened for a few years in the late-1960’s and was used for boxing events.

It was scheduled for demolition in 1974 but the community came together and it was restored. It was re-opened in 1975 as a performing arts center. It now presents a mixture of movies and live performances.

More photos here.

That'll do. Now hit the road.