Eleven-and-a-half souls. Odd name. Wikipedia says: "The origin of the name Bucyrus is not certain. It was given by James Kilbourne, who laid out the town in 1821. One theory is that the name Bucyrus is derived from 'beautiful' coupled with the name of Cyrus the Great, founder of the First Persian Empire."

Yeeeahhh, that's a bit much.

An alternate theory is that the city was named after Busiris, a city of ancient Egypt.

More likely, but why? Well, let's start.

City Hall.

If there’s any other way to communicate the aloofness of government from the people it’s supposed to serve, I’m hard-pressed to describe it.

Built in 1970. Replaced an old mansion built by an industrialist; it would become a restaurant later. I cannot bear to see what the old city hall was like.

The Linn Block, 1908.

A few years ago: I’m inclined to prefer this, but the all-grey isn’t bad.

Ordinary, boring front, but . . .

Here’s the side in 2015.

Recent removal? Can’t say. But something big was there, I think.

Now:

Nice job!

One of the reviews says “So much better than the abandoned old theater!”

Well . . . abandoned, no, not good, but what was there?

WHOA

That was a handsome shed.

That’s a uniquely bad idea. The gun slits really complete the mood.

They do love their troupe l’oiel.

That mass of churchiness behind it looks unreal.

No way this was a Dollar General when it opened.

Ah - that makes sense. Glass-blocks = 80s glamour, hence Family Video.

Well-preserved, but on the other hand, why? Were people passing out from heat stroke or drowning in the rain?

“That went well! Let’s build another.”

A solid grouping, with WILSON in the middle.

I had to re-un-distort this one, so it’s a bit fuzzy, but you get the idea.

Old thin-window special, with a heavy top that looks a couple of days of work away from complete restoration. Although they’d probably say it needed a month, and bill accordingly. And they’d probably be right. What do I know.

I’ll bet you anything it was an OUMB. The giveaway? The spot where the night deposit box was.

Ah. See?

But the box has been gone for some time.

Pride of the town!

If you’re going to a mural, this is the way to go.

Architectural fancies work better than mash-mash assemblages of trains and parks and gazebos.

See what I mean?

The courthouse . . .

. . . and the Public Library.

You couldn’t ask for a more American place to grow up, I think.

But . .

It’s lost a bit of its old charm.

That'll do. Now hit the road.