Jeff Lovett A collection of research in process.

Little Cities of Black Diamonds Research Trip 01

I am conducting research trips in to the Little Cities of Black Diamonds (LCBD) in an attempt to collect visual and experiential data on the micro region's unique "finger print"

My first trip intentional venture into the region to gather data was motivated by the collection of photographic documentation of the cantilevered second story porches that seem to be unique to the micro-region.

This led me on a path from Athens through Nelsonville on US33 then north on OH78 through the towns of Butchel and Murray City. At Murry City I changed to OH216 north to New Straitsville, passing the Essex Mine Doser project and subsidence outlet on the way, which is always a treat. In New Straitsville, I accidentally deviated from my intended path to Shawnee by following OH93 south towards Logan. I realized my mistake and turned north on OH668 towards Junction City. This took me out of the LCBD micro region. The differences in landscape were there but subtle, the differences in architecture and town layout were dramatic. At Junction City, I turned on to OH37 east to New Lexington. New Lexington is the county seat for Perry county and a beautiful town, but still very different from the LCBD. From New Lexington I followed OH93 south to Shawnee. Shawnee is, in some ways the best preserved town from the coal mining boom of the late 19th and early 20th century and an excellent example of the nuances of the LCBD micro region. From Shawnee I drove OH155 through the small towns of Hemlock and Drake, both of which were very interesting and deserve further exploration when time permits, to the city of Corning. From Corning I followed the more familiar route OH13 south to Athens through the towns of Burr Oaks, Glouster, Trimble, Jacksonville and Cauncey.

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