Retiring Guy's Digest

Sunday, September 22, 2019

Then and now: Hamilton Manufacturing Company, Two Rivers

Then. July 25, 2012.
Looking across 18th Street, just west of the East Twin River bridge.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Now. September 14, 2019.
Looking across 18th Street, just west of the East Twin River bridge.

Hamilton stack, Two Rivers' symbol comes crumblin' down. (Herald Times Reporter, 5/31/2015)

The smokestack, a landmark which has loomed large over downtown Two Rivers for more than 100 years, was the last remnant of the 12-acre Hamilton facility. Geis Companies of Streetsboro, Ohio has been demolishing the former plant since June of last year. That job is now finished, a fact that caused both excitement but also bittersweet feelings among those who gathered to watch the demolition.

People from all over the state came to watch the last piece of Hamilton history fall. City officials set up viewing areas for people to safely see the demolition, and local businesses, such as Tippy's Bar and the East Twin Bar and Grill, held block parties to celebrate the occasion.

Then. July 25, 2012.
Looking west on 18th Street toward downtown Two Rivers.

Now. September 14, 2019.
Looking west on 18th Street toward downtown Two Rivers.

Two Rivers plans post-Hamilton development. (Herald Times Reporter, 4/19/2017)

The proposed Official Map amendment is also consistent with the city’s official redevelopment plan for the 12.5-acre former Hamilton plant site, adopted in November of last year. That plan calls for “reclaiming” the historic grid pattern of streets in this oldest part of our community, to facilitate redevelopment and provide for improved public access.

Red but not totally into that Trump's America thing: Denton County, Texas (metro Dallas)

Five takeaways for Denton County voters after Tuesday's election. (Denton Record-Chronicle, 11/10/2018)

Most of the precincts that flipped from red to blue in this election lie in the heart of the population booms happening in the southern and eastern parts of Denton County.

New housing developments and schools have been popping up along the U.S. Highway 380 Corridor for more than a decade, a growth pattern that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Precincts straddling the northeastern fingers of Lewisville Lake that were once reliably red — namely the Paloma Creek neighborhood and portions of Little Elm — went to Democratic candidates.

Lewisville and Carrollton traditionally had a few blue precincts dotting a sea of red. That picture reversed this year with Democrats staking out a larger claim. Most of the Republican strongholds that remained had a geographical trait in common: the precincts included a golf course.

Source: Wikipedia (Denton County, Denton)

Denton is the county seat of Denton County.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts

% of population 25 and older with bachelor's degree:

43.4% - Denton County
28.7% - Texas
30.9% - U.S.

% of population 65 and older:

10.2% - Denton County
14.7% - Texas
15.6% - U.S.

% of population living in poverty:

7.1% - Denton County
14.7% - Texas
15.6% - U.S.

Source: Wikipedia

3rd party votes: 34.5% in 1992, 9.1% in 1996, 5.7% in 2016

(George Wallace received 13.9% of the vote in 1968)

Other "Red but not totally into this Trump's America thing" posts:
Colorado.  Jefferson County. (3/9/2019)
Florida.  Duval County. (3/14/2019)
Georgia.  Cherokee County. (3/10/2019)
Georgia.  Fayette County. (3/10/2019)
Georgia.  Forsyth County. (3/10/2019)
Kansas.  Johnson County. (3/9/2019)
Minnesota.  Carver County. (3/9/2019)
North Carolina. Union County. (9/9/2019)
Ohio.  Delaware County (3/8/2019)
Texas. Collin County. (9/21/2019)
Wisconsin.  Ozaukee County. (3/8/2019)

Related series:
Blue zone sees Trump as con man
Greetings from Trump's America
Not Trump's America

UPDATE: In Iowa, the city of Clinton looks to reverse its population decline

Reported in To attract new residents, this Iowa community will pay part of your student loan debt. (Des Moines Register, 9/22/2019)

Source: Wikipedia (Clinton County, Clinton)

Percentage of population 25 and older with a bachelor's degree:

18.8% - City of Clinton
19.2% - Clinton County
27.7% - Iowa
30.9% - U.S.

Percentage of population 65 and older:

19.1% - City of Clinton
19.7% - Clinton County
17.1% - Iowa
15.6% - U.S.

% of population living in poverty:

16.0% - City of Clinton
13.4% - Clinton County
11.8% - Iowa
12.3% - U.S.

Source: Wikipedia

3rd party votes: 18.2% in 1992, 11.5% in 1996, 7.4% in 2016

(George Wallace received 5.2% of the vote in 1968)

Original 10/15/2017 post starts here.

Iowa’s Swing to Republicans Is a Matter of (Lacking a) Degree. (The New York Times, 10/14/2017)

And with 91.4% of the county's population white, why wouldn't they? Pundits might think otherwise, but places like Clinton [county seat of Clinton County] and dozens of other small towns like it along the Mississippi River have already gone red, the result of a long economic decline that changed their makeup and eventually their politics. Like many towns in Iowa, they have been losing more college-educated voters than they retain, leaving a less educated and less mobile group of voters more likely to vote for Republicans, whom they see as more in touch with their lives and beliefs.

Source: Wikipedia

A population loss of 17% since 1980.

Clinton was built on the promise of the river and railroad. The lumber industry flourished here a century ago, producing millionaires who built hilltop mansions but whose only legacy today is a sawmill museum.

Now Manufacturing Drive no longer lives up to its name. The street called the “Miracle Mile” shows few signs of economic vitality. Clinton Country Club, its pool drained and golf course untended, was sold to a church. A former real estate agent’s office is now the Vapor City Outlet.