Walking around the square in Linden
Among towns in Cass County, the county seat in Linden has a satisfying square to walk.
From flowers to official business, from something to eat to getting one’s mail, the square has interesting features.
Maybe those frequenting the square will get a haircut or make a purchase at a gift shop. Perhaps they will just drop in at the bank. There’s an insurance company, an auto parts store and, yes, some empty buildings—but these stir the imagination with a sense of what might be and the memory of what was.
Once Linden’s square was very busy. No empty buildings. Parking places at a premium.
Just off the square on the block is a motorcycle repair shop and a newspaper’s office. An attorney has his office in another direction and still two more gift shops are colorfully inviting.
And Linden makes much of the fact that it has four eating locations on, or just off, the square. Mexican food and pizza and general dining are within a block or two.
Several other entities make and keep the square interesting. The Baptist Church, for example, has a corner parking lot, which can be decorated to provide additional visual stimulation.
And just a block away, in another all-important location, is the Linden Garden Club building. If flower planting or work in the flower beds at the courthouse are needed, club members only have a block to walk.
There’s also the fine mural artwork on the sides of several buildings and a very historical piece of art in the post office lobby. Even employees in the stores have flowers or colorful artifacts close by their desks.
It’s evident that Linden citizens are commited to their town square. They enjoy gathering here, too.
The courthouse itself has four lawns, flowering plants, several monuments and plenty of walking or sitting spaces to relax around.
With all the flowers, maybe balloons and other signs of welcome, it’s almost as if one can just stop, go inside a store and strike up a friendly conversation—just like it used to be.
All of this isn’t happening all the time. Nor is the courthouse square the only game in town. It just happens to be one that citizens are trying to make more visible Many believe the point is to support the hometown team.