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The AI Architect's avatar

Fascinating look at how commerce and community were inseperable in isolated places. The detail about the store functioning as a post office and information hub really shows how these weren't just retail spots but social infrastructure. I grew up near a similar setup where the local general store was basically the town's nerve center. The transition from 1920s bustle to 1950s quiet captured in those photos tells the whole economic story withoutneed ing charts.

Paul Austin's avatar

The importance of the general store cannot be overstated. Until the auomobile came to the scene, people typically limited travel to what a horse could travel. Hundreds of four corner towns in Michigan had a general store, a saloon and a blacksmith.

Wayne Rowe's avatar

I could not see the pictures.

Paul Austin's avatar

Can you view the video? I’ve tested on desktop and mobile andcan see all of it.

Wayne Rowe's avatar

My fault--no problem now.