Learning from Lewisburg
9. Out to the highway |
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Walk three blocks further to the intersection of Market
St. (PA 45) and Derr Drive (US 15): |
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US 15 has bypassed the downtown and pulled
business westward. This is probably the third time business has been
pulled away from the river-side heart of town. First, Third St, connected
south and north to River Road and drew development west in 1840, Second,
the railroad drew commerce to Fifth St. in the1880s. And then in the
1950s development focused on the new highway frontage. Now a fourth
bypass, an interstate-quality link up the valley, is under construction
on the far side of the river. Time will tell how much business will
be lost to Montandon. |
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The river/river road corridor at Lewisburg
has been by-passed three times so far (see light-to-dark arrow colors),
and another bypassing is being planned even now, an interstate-grade
highway across the river. |
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This is the high traffic intersection in
town. Accessibility to potential customers dictates the success of
highway businesses — but the area this corner doesn't seem to
be very accessible ... businesses come and go here. Further north,
the highway landscape is in the very familiar style — Walmart,
car lots, Day's Inn. |
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Classic strip commerce located north
along Rt. 15. |
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At the far northern edge of Lewisburg,
Country Cupboard is a "Disneyland" restaurant (according
to the Philadelphia Inquirer) catering to old folks from all over
the Northeast. |
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Note how Rt. 45 changes orientation after
it crosses Rt. 15 heading west into the Linn town area. The town map
shows that this spot is the edge of Derr's original grid, and how
this disjunction affects the planning of the grid as settlement extended
toward the west. West and south of this spot — beyond the reach
of a walking tour — is active suburban development.
East Buffalo Township, which begins in the middle of US 15, is by-far
the wealthiest municipality for fifty miles in every direction. |
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To the south-west of town, suburban
architecture mimics the scale & grace of a 1940's public elementary
school |
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Consumption of farmland into low-density
/ high income housing continues at a vigorous pace. |
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