Page 386 - Essencials of Sociology

With little work available, it is difficult to afford adequate
housing. This house, although cobbled together and in
disrepair, is a family’s residence.
One of the few buildings consistently in good repair in the small
towns is the U.S. Post Office. Although its importance has declined
in the face of telecommunications, for “small towners” the post
office still provides a vital link with the outside world. has located her sign on a main highway just outside Niceville,

There is no global competition for this home-grown business. Shirley
This general store used to be the main business in the area: it even Florida. By the looks of the building, business could be better.
has a walk-in safe. It has been owned by the same family since the
1920s, but is no longer successful. To get into the building, I had to
find out where the owner (shown here) lived, knock on her door, and
then wait while she called around to find out who had the keys.

This is a successful
business. The store goes
back to the early 1900s,
and the proprietors have
capitalized on the “old
timey” atmosphere.