The first two of a half-a-million strong!

Among businesses in background are ones devoted to HVAC, sheet metal work, and ... pottery.

That’s all that’s missing. Otherwise, I could live happily with the products and services of the shops visible across the park: furniture, haircut, candy, popcorn, ice cream, sewing machines, groceries, hardware, A/C and heating, metalwork, pottery, and more groceries. (I’m assuming I could find beer and such in Shinner’s Market and the IGA.)

In spite of society's vast material progress since the time of this bucolic photo, it is difficult not to wonder whether the quality of our lives has been even remotely enhanced thereby.

Phil and Ned meet at the square where Groundhog day was filmed!

This is facing Van Buren Street. The two buildings on the right still exist and look remarkably similar, though the businesses have changed. The ones on the left appear to have been replaced or have had extensive remodeling of the facade. The benches are still in the same place.