What Makes Your Hometown Great?

When American Profile posed this question to readers, responses brimming with passion and pride poured in from across the nation. Some cited their hometown’s unique history and charm, while others described breathtaking scenery and the kindness of townspeople.

Rhonda Corchado says no strangers live in Lyons, Colo. (pop. 1,585), where residents have very strong arms. “When you drive down the road and wave,” she says, “you just leave your arm out the window in one continuous gesture.”

Bill Cox proudly notes that his hometown of Danville, Ky. (pop. 15,477), was chosen as the site of the only vice-presidential debate of the 2000 presidential campaign.

Cindy Simon loves the backdrop of the Catoctin Mountains in the fall, when “bursts of orange, red and yellow frame my hometown of Frederick, Maryland.”

Here are excerpts from other readers describing what makes their hometown great.

Beautiful surroundings

At home here in Geneva, Fla. (pop. 2,601), the heavens at night are bright with stars, the evenings lit by fireflies, the spring scented with orange blossoms, and hoof-printed, crushed shell roads wind around large cattle ranches, wooded and fenced horse paddocks, old barns and cottages on the shores of Lake Harney. God Bless and long live Geneva!
—Chuck and Marie Tatman

Every July, over 35,000 people from all over the world descend on the little town of Sequim (pronounced Skwim) for the annual Lavender Festival. What they discover in addition to the colorful, aromatic lavender plants grown on over 40 lavender farms is why Sequim, Wash. (pop. 4,334), is listed as one of the top 10 best undiscovered towns in the West, and one of the best places to retire.
—Don Fourtner

The 1996 Olympic Whitewater Events were held on the beautiful Ocoee River. The events, river and soothing blue mountains make lifetime memories. As I watch the sunrise over the mountains and see their parade of colors as the sun sets, I am thankful to live in such a beautiful place. Benton, Tenn. (pop. 1,138), is a place where peace abounds and memories are forever!
—Helen Churchwell

Friendly folks

People in Canton, Mich. (pop. 76,366), are the nicest people in the world. Well, maybe not the whole world, but the nicest people in Michigan. The Canton people hold doors for cripples and old people. I know, because I’ve been both. They do it with a smile; they do it because they want to. Recently a firefighter was killed and everyone chipped in to help the family. Three cheers for Canton!
—Margorie R. White

Waddy, Ky., is a small town in Shelby County. On Labor Day, the Waddy Day Parade takes place. Our Main Street is decorated with American flags flying from street posts and porches. Friends and family from miles around congregate, crowding the sides of the street waiting for the parade to begin. My heart echoes who I am when I see friends, neighbors, people of various races and degrees of relationship come together to celebrate community. It is a poignant reminder to me—this is America. This is the spirit of my hometown.
—Glenda Blair

Caring residents

While I was taking a walk with my daughter I fell on the sidewalk and a woman in a car actually turned around and came back to make sure I didn’t need a lift to the doctor. That’s small town caring! Shops display congratulations to our students when they achieve a positive accomplishment and stand beside them when they need encouragement. Neighbors watch each other’s homes and look for lost dogs together. These are just a few of the reasons I feel my hometown of Grays-lake, Ill. (pop. 18,506), is great.
—Vicky Merutka

In Oak Lawn, Ill. (pop. 55,245), our Christ Hospital and its adjoining Hope Children’s Hospital accept children and families from around the world. These families, who often have unique problems, are given another chance for a better life. The local residents often contribute time and money to the parent or family members’ expenses for what can sometimes be a long stay in the area while their child recovers . . . Who wouldn’t be proud to be an Oak Lawn resident?
—Margaret (Peggy) Ryan Nevins

Nineteen years ago, my sisters and their families were visiting. All of us attended the annual Klamath Falls (Ore.) Fourth of July parade. After the parade, we gathered our group at a nearby street corner and realized my 4-year-old nephew was missing! After searching for a few minutes, we spotted a family with three little boys returning to the same spot. In disbelief, we saw that they were holding hands with my nephew in tow. That special family not only returned my nephew to us, but did so in a manner that he was not scared or upset about being lost. The kindness displayed by this family is typical of the caring townspeople in Klamath Falls (pop. 19,462).
—Lavon Ann Ostrick

North Platte, Nebraska’s most shining hour came during World War II when thousands of volunteers from 125 communities came together to organize the North Platte Canteen. From Christmas Day 1941 until the war ended five years later, every single troop train was met night or day. Six million servicemen with uncertain futures were served free refreshments, and perhaps just as important were the smiles, love, respect and honor shown during those 10-minute rest stops in North Platte (pop. 23,878).
—Judy Herbst Brown

The importance of education permeates Siloam Springs, Ark. (pop. 10,843), home to John Brown University. Thirty years ago, two mothers with seven high school kids between them knew they would need help in getting them through college. Soon a plan was developed. The women approached business people and organizations about sponsoring individual scholarships. The response was encouraging and 27 seniors received scholarship money. This past year more than 100 students received nearly $500,000 to further their education. These gifts all are raised locally. Many of them are memorials or gifts to honor community members.
—Joyce Anne Munn

I live in Enfield, Conn. (pop. 45,212), home of the Enfield Dial-A-Ride. What makes this program unique is its availability, home pickups and wide variety of destinations (shopping, doctors, hair salons, nursing home visits). It transports senior citizens and physically challenged individuals. It’s my lifeline to independence. I am a physically challenged individual who has never driven a car. With this wonderful program I am able to volunteer daily as well as be active and independent.
—Jayne van den Basch

Famous people, places and events

Located in the mile-high desert of northwest New Mexico, my hometown of Farmington (pop. 37,844) is unique. It is in the “Four Corners” area—the only place in the United States where four states—Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico—meet in one spot. The big sport here is baseball! Every August, the town hosts the Connie Mack World Series for players 17 to 19. Major league scouts and thousands of fans come to see the future stars of the game.
—Nancy Coats

The Dutch settled this area in the 1600s, which later became Tarrytown (pop. 11,090) and North Tarrytown, N.Y. Writer Washington Irving, who lived in Tarrytown, wrote the story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, which took place in North Tarrytown and made Irving famous. Several years ago, North Tarrytown changed its name to Sleepy Hollow (pop. 9,212). Another famous resident of the area was John D. Rockefeller Sr., who would walk down the main street and, each child he encountered, he would hand out 11 cents and say, “Save the dime and spend the penny.”
—Stephen J. Fucheck

I’m proud to be from Graves County, Ky. (pop. 37,028), and the people who have risen from small town surroundings to become renowned. We boast of the late Vice President Alben Barkley being born in a log house in the small community of Wheel, as well as Graves County producing four U.S. congressmen.
—Alicia Morris

Delaware, Ohio (pop. 25,243), is not only home to the 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Ohio Wesleyan University, it also lays claim to one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious harness racing events, The Little Brown Jug.
-Todd Hanks

first appeared: 10/22/2006