On September 8th I had an opportunity to take the Historic walking and driving tours of Lloyd and Monticello. Using the maps provided by the Chamber of Commerce, I arrived around 9am on the Thursday morning to explore the historical and physical surroundings of these two historic areas.
I first visited Lloyd, parked my car in the post office lot and walked the streets, taking pictures of each historic house. By mid-morning there was a good deal of car traffic, but virtually no foot traffic (aside from myself). The houses listed on the historical registry could not have been more varied, both in architectural style as well as in general upkeep and care. Some of the buildings were clearly well kept, even down to the manicured lawn. Other houses appeared to be barely standing, with weeds growing up over the porch banister. However, the one thing every building on the historical map had in common was the bronze plaque with the historical name and designation that it was on the Historical Register. Most of the buildings are named after the owner and many of the names repeat, evidence of particularly strong families in Lloyd’s history.
Some other general observations I had from my trip to Lloyd was that it was all-in-all a very quiet place. I received a few smiles and greetings from people entering and leaving the post office while I took pictures, but besides that there were no other people around. The area is not very pedestrian friendly, lacking sidewalks on the major streets, but the drivers waved and slowed down around me as I walked. The natural environment was amazing, massive trees in nearly every yard beautifully framed the very traditional architecture of the houses. Without reading the historical pamphlet, there would be no doubt in a visitor’s mind that this little town once was a flourishing and affluent railroad village.
Monticello and Lloyd could not have more different vibes. Driving into Monticello, I was flanked by semi trucks and other vehicles all headed towards the center of town and the roundabout. Again, I parked my car and started the historical tour. Having visited and wandered around Monticello downtown before, I walked beyond the dots on the map and strolled around most of the streets, talking to other pedestrians and residents going about their normal Thursday business. The historical houses were beautiful and just as varied as the ones in Lloyd. With examples of Greek, Roman, and Colonial influences, the buildings on the registry were all well-kept and many are open for visitors, while others are still private residences.
My favorite part of walking and driving around Monticello was the ability to put together the past and present factors that make the city such a unique place. Dispersed among buildings that are hundreds of years old there are new developments and quaint shops, constant activity, churches on nearly every corner, and people walking the streets downtown. This town, despite the evidence of economic decline, has character and charm, qualities that are earned over decades and are treasured by the members of the community. I was frequently stopped by residents to ask if I was lost or looking for something, when I explained that I was enjoying the Historic Tour, they would direct me to their favorite locations and give advice on what should not be missed during my visit. Everyone was friendly and helpful, more than willing to discuss their hometown. Despite this vibrant culture, there is evidence of struggle. Many stores are closed, some whole buildings are shut down, others have signs that they are going out of business. For being the largest town in Jefferson County, the economic downturn in Monticello alone bespeaks the need to find a method for economic growth without losing the charm of the historic city and county as a whole.
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