Liberty County: Two cities, one metro area

[Korot 6]

I apologize for not replying sooner, although my browser decided not to function, so I was temporarily cut of from the Internet. The updates look great, but why didn't you include the farms opposite of the river in the map of Valleyview?

[aiumkastarkius 0]

Wow another group of great updates! This is quite the realistic small town CJ.

P. S. Go Mission City!!!

[Hawkeye9 0]

Wow, ive missed alot!!!

Everything looks great, as always!!!

Lookin forward to more!!!

[N106 10]

Replies

Korot: Thank you.  As for the farms- I'm now doing street maps of the more developed areas of my cities.

aiumkastarkius: Thank you

Hawkeye9: Thank you

Update 42: Riverview as a commercial center

By 1910, Riverview was still quite small, at only 1,483 people.  However, the next decade would establish Riverview as a charming and important comemrcial center.  Many things would happen over the 1910s- that would help the Rural Times and Riverview in general.  The first of these events was the Grand Plan- which caused roads to be built across the valley, and set up the stage for the tremendous growth that would take place during the entire century.

In 1913, a wooden bridge was built across the river on the southern edge of Riverview.  As a result, some farms developed.

In 1917, the first road was paved.  That was Main Street.  2 years later, Oak Street, which ran perpendicular, was also paved.

In 1915, Walter Brobuck built the Brobuck Building in Riverview.  Brobuck was the founder of a fairly large bank that was absorbed by the Valley Bank in 1935.

In 1919, the Rural Times completed the Rural Theatre in Riverview.  The Rural Theatre would be the movie theatre of Riverview until fairly recently.

By 1920, the downtown of Riverview was important enough to be part of the local economy.  If Riverview were to suddenly dissappear, then the entire valley would be in a fairly deep recession.

Below is a map of Riverview in 1920.

By 1920, 1,978 people lived in Riverview.

[Raysfan16 5]

Hey Enn. (Mind if I call you that? I saw it in one of your newspaper articles)

Riverview is very charming-I'd love to see some Vaudeville in the Rural Theatre, or maybe some silent movies later on.

[Tomasneto 20]

Very nice update, N106!!! Very nice!!!

[N106 10]

Replies

Raysfan16: Thank you, and you can call me N if you want.

Tomasneto: Thank you

Update 43: Plateau City: Smallest in a region

This is a short update, everybody, because so little happens in Plateau City

In 1910, only 388 people lived in Plateau City.  Plateau City would continue to be the region's smallest city until around 1970.  As a result, news arrived a week late, and Plateau City was the only town without power, telephones, or sidewalks in 1910.  In 1913, sidewalks were added, and electricity came from Jefferson in 1915, allowing for the telephone by 1916.  In 1919, the first road was paved.

Meanwhile, Plateau City was incorporated as a town in 1912, and a mayor's mansion was completed in 1914.

By 1920, downtown was comprised of several small buildings, and was so unimportant that regional stocks would barely fall 1 dollar if Plateau City dissappeared, compared to 59 dollars if Riverview dissappeared, or 438 dollars if Jefferson dissappeared.

Below is a map of Plateau City in 1920.

By 1920, 733 people lived in Plateau City.

All questions and comments are welcome, and I promise the next update will be longer.

[Tomasneto 20]

The pics in your CJ look like reals!! Great effects!!!

[chrissc94 1]

Nice couple updates!

Could you by chance show us a regional map so we could know where all these small towns are, if you could that would be great.

[danielcote 9]

This is good! Mabey adding some C.P buildings would make it more realistic other than that its really creative

[N106 10]

Replies

Tomasneto: Thank you

chrissc94: Thank you, and I'll think about it.

danielcote: Thank you

Update 44: New London Grows

In 1910, 1,129 people lived in New London, which had been founded with about 30 people only 16 years earlier.  However, the fact that New London was built by a railroad helped the town explode to become the 5th largest in the region by 1920.

In 1911, a civic cemetary opened near New London- meant for military veterans- starting with civil war veterans.  Today, there are many dead veterans from world war 2, korean war, vietnamese war, gulf war, afghanistan war, and 2008 election fighters in the cemetary.

The next year, a catholic church was built in town.

In 1914, the Architecture Building was completed in New London.  Many do not realize the importance of the Architecture Building.  Here was where all of the skyscrapers built during the 1920s were designed.

In 1915, the Miller Tavern was completed.

In 1915, the first road was paved in New London- an avenue that ran between Jefferson and Fort Freedom.  This only helped the city grow.

In 1916, the New London Gas Company built their offices in downtown New London.

Martin Brown- an activist and well-known regional comedian, built the Brown Mansion in New London in 1917.

Anne Catalina, a silent picture star, built her estate in New London in 1919.

By 1920, downtown had grown significantly.

Below is a map of New London in 1920.

By 1920, 2,493 people lived in New London.

All questions and comments welcome.

[N106 10]

One quick announcement...

I have got the final census for the 1910s. As of 1920, 126,799 people lived in the Liberty Valley. Also, the transportation part of the Grand Plan is complete. Next update is Jefferson in the 1920s.

[Korot 6]

Ah, those last couple of updates all look great, I can't believe Liberty Valley went through the 1910s that quickly. BTW: If New London disappeared, how much would regional stocks fall?

[Sternkrieg72 0]

Wow N. I just love this CJ. I love how realistic it seems when you show the growth of the Liberty Valley. One thing, do you think you could update me/us on the populations of all the cities in the area? I'd love to hear how they're doing!

[N106 10]

Replies

Korot: Thank you.  If New London dissappeared, the stocks would fall approximately one "Bush"- the measurement of the price of stocks at the end of the Clinton administration in relation to the beginning of the Obama Administration.

Sternkrieg72: Thank you.  As the population currently stands, there are 126,799 people in the Liberty Valley, 29,476 people in Jefferson, 20,196 people in Mission City, 5,051 people in Fort Freedom, 3,002 people in Valleyview, 1,978 people in Riverview, 733 people in Plateau City, 2,493 people in New London, as of January 1, 1920.

Update 45a: Jefferson, prohibition, and prosperity

Jefferson was a growing city, and was the largest in the region.  The Big Three continued to emerge, buying out small businesses throughout the valley, and now beginning to engage on their own building projects.  In 1921, Leland started building the Leland Place on the Central Intersection.  The 6-story building was completed in late 1922, and a drugstore ultimately inhabited the bottom floor, with offices on the upper floors.

That same year, plans were drafted for the Leland Building.  Construction began in the winter of 1922-1923, and the Leland Building was the tallest building in the region when completed at 12 stories in 1924.  It was the tallest building in the Liberty Valley for slightly less than 5 years.

In 1922, Johnson wasn't inactive.  He opened the region's first radio station- the Jefferson Herald Radio.  

These radio broadcasts saved the creator of the CJ the time of making a newspaper... here's a radio broadcast from 1924.

"... and to those throughout the valley, Harold Leland has done it again.  He has spent $800,000 to build the Leland Building.  The building is the tallest in the Liberty Valley, at 12 stories and 160 feet- much taller than the 115 foot Herald Building.  Many stock market investors have prepared an event from October 24-29 in 1929, in which they will marvelously jump off, and attempt to land on the paving below.  In other news, eating wool socks may cure bad gas..."

Meanwhile, Harold Leland and Jacob Leland had a small statue built in Capitol Park of Joseph Leland in 1921.

Senator Park was the second of the 3 parks in the Grand Plan.  It was completed in 1923.

The increasing regional trash problems led to the construction of a municipal landfill opposite on the Liberty River from Jefferson in 1920.

The industrial district expanded across the railroad tracks in a westward direction during the early 1920s.

By 1925, there were 2 skyscrapers in Jefferson.  The skyline was growing, and the influence of the Big Three was increasing.  Business was booming.

Prohibition caused many problems with crime.  A gang formed on bootleg alcohol and drugs in the early 1920s. The most famous event from the gang was a shootout at the Washington Hotel, in which 8 were killed, 3 were injured, and 1 got kicked in the shin for unrelated reasons.

All questions and comments welcome.

[Korot 6]

I see this is update a, so there'll be a b update as well? Anyway, Jefferson looks like it has grown a lot to population X, what is the X? I wouldn't live there, if they don't fix the crime problem that is.

[SounderBruce 173]

Nice updates!

[N106 10]

Replies

Korot: Thank you.  Population X will be revealed as of 1930, or the end of the Jefferson updates

ComputerGuy890100: Thank you

Update 45b: The Big Three

By 1925, the Big Three had bought out every single small and medium sized business in the Liberty Valley.  The few businesses that remained independent were either in places like Plateau City or were large businesses like the Valley Bank.

There were many problems.  Due to prohibition, crime was on the rise.  The undersized police force and outdated facilities could no longer handle things.  As a result, a new police headquarters was completed in 1927.

The next year, a prison was completed on the other side of the river.

In 1926, Johnson completed the lavish Herald Hotel, which was the most luxurious hotel in the Liberty Valley for a total of 3 years.

In 1929, the Johnson Tower was completed just north of the hotel.

In 1929, the Leland Tower was completed by Leland.  The tower was an impressive art-deco structure rising 13 stories.

Smith was also active.  In 1929, he completed the President Hotel, which was overlooking President Park.  The 17 story hotel would be the tallest building in the Liberty Valley for 30 years.

Two years later, during the Depression, the mighty Smith Building overcame construction delays and was completed.

Also in 1931, the Smith Tower was completed.

In 1927, the courthouse and city hall were demolished.  The courthouse became commercial shops.  Meanwhile, where the city hall once stood, the City-County building was completed in 1929.  The city-county building was a building that had all city offices, along with the courtrooms.

Jefferson was growing rapidly, and the Big Three were more powerful than ever.  However, the wild events of the 1920s are not over yet.  Part C coming soon, folks!

All questions and comments welcome!

[SounderBruce 173]

Cool update...where'd you get that courthouse and jail?

[N106 10]

Replies

ComputerGuy890100: Thank you.  The courthouse is a maxis-made commercial building that I plopped using the building plop mod.  The prison is from JBSimio's school pack 3 on SC4Devotion.

As for everyone else: C'mon!  You can do better than that on replying!  Two days is how long I gave you all!  From now on, I'm going to read and comment on the CJs of anyone who replies after this update!  If you're looking for one more comment on your CJ, its as simple as leaving me a reply!  So, what are you waiting for!  Read this update and then reply!

Update 45c: Jefferson at the end of prosperity

In 1926, Jefferson was growing, but was at the grip of a vicious band of criminals.  However, that changed when the gang was captured at a shootout at the Washington Hotel in 1928.

"...In other news, the gang that has plagued our city since alcohol was banned has been captured.  Today, police surrounded the Washington Hotel, where the gang members were holding a gala.  The police had the hotel surrounded for 4 hours, before they busted in, starting a gunfight in which 7 were killed and another 4 injured.  After the shootout and the arresting of gang members in the lobby and dining areas, police checked the rest of the hotel.  The gang has been captured, and the streets are now safe.  In other news- a massive worldwide economic collapse in the near future?  Find out after a word from our sponser..."

That was a radio broadcast about 37 minutes after the shootout ended.

By the late 1920s, regional architectural styles had changed from Victorian and Edwardian to art deco and contemporary styles.

Back in the 1890s and early 1900s, farmland spread out.  Ultimately, along heavily traveled intersections, small communities developed.  These communities helped travelers by offering homes full of generous and welcoming people, along with inns or even stores.  Ultimately, as Jefferson grew, these communities integrated into the city fairly well.

Growth in Jefferson before 1950 mostly went westwards, towards the Liberty River.  The first in a series of photos from 1927 to 1949 was taken in 1927 from an airplane.  This was the first of many photos showing the growth towards the Liberty River.

By 1927, the industrial district had expanded greatly.  It was at the largest it would ever be, and was at its second most active time, with the first being world war 2.

In 1926, the last of the three parks called for by the Grand Plan was completed- Justice Park.

The Liberty Valley Planning Commission was founded in 1928, and built its headquarters at the civic plaza in 1929.  Elections will be starting as soon as I get a list of nominees, which will be based on comment rate.  I'll explain later.

There's no story behind the next picture other than that the church you see was built in 1928.

In 1929, the lavish Liberty Resort was completed by the Liberty River.  It and a resort built near Mission City were the most lavish resorts in the Liberty Valley until after World War 2.

By 1931, downtown had grown with several skyscrapers.  Ultimately, the below picture was the downtown that existed until the late 1960s.

Below is a map of Jefferson in 1929.

By 1930, 48,752 people lived in Jefferson.

As of October 20, 1929, the crime that had plagued Jefferson had ended, a police force was established, there was a growing skyline, a booming economy, and goods could be bought fairly cheap due to the prices set by the Big Three.  Sounds like a happy ending, right?

Wrong!

This newspaper article 10 days later will explain everything.

On October 24-29, the stock market crashed, starting a massive global depression that encompassed the world by the end of 1930.  Edward Johnson committed suicide.  Harold Leland went broke by December, filed for bankruptcy in February of 1930, and died in poverty in 1936.  Only Thomas Smith remained.  Smith kept himself in the black by withdrawing all of his money from the bank on November 2, 1929, and ultimately managed to become a billionare in the 1940s before dying of cancer in 1952.  By 1931, the Big Three had lost their hold on the valley.  Never again would all of the commercial in the Liberty Valley be in the hands of so few.

All questions and comments welcome!

[SounderBruce 173]

Oh, how terrible! The Great Depression has sure taken its toll in Liberty County!

P.S. I hope I'm one of the nominees for the council!

[Raysfan16 5]

Wow! I've missed a lot of stuff, and the last update was simply outstanding! That farmer must be unhappy with such a large, lavish resort hotel like Zaza interfering with his peaceful country life. I also love that bridge and your zoomed-out picture.

But I do have a couple suggestions-

First, don't whine about the replies. If you want to increase views for your more common viewers, keep the topic description updated after each update and maybe keep your signature updated like the topic description , like Dan (dfnva) does.

Second, use NAM stuff. There are two main places where I saw it could be used: on your Avenue's bridge, using 90 degree curves and 45 degree curves makes it look a lot more realistic. Also, using PedMall pieces in your civic plaza will make it look alot more realistic.

[aiumkastarkius 0]

Maybe this could work out to Mission City's advantage! Mwahahaha!

I like The expanding skyline

How much is Mission city worth if it were to vanish (pre depression)

[Sternkrieg72 0]

Wow, dude. I like the way this is coming along. Great to see some skyscrapers popping up in the city. Hope the Liberty Valley area can endure the Depression!

[Sternkrieg72 0]

Wow, dude. I like the way this is coming along. Great to see some skyscrapers popping up in the city. Hope the Liberty Valley area can endure the Depression!

[tahill79 13]

wow this is a great cj. love the b&w's. this is great.

[chrissc94 1]

That last update was awesome, the Art-Deco architecture suits the times. Can't wait for more!

[Korot 6]

N106 said: "The Liberty Valley Planning Commission was founded in 1928, and built its headquarters at the civic plaza in 1929. Elections will be starting as soon as I get a list of nominees, which will be based on comment rate. I'll explain later."

My reply to it: "Later as in the next update, right? As for you replying in CJ's of replyers, well, I don't have a CJ, so why should I reply? Just kidding."

The update itself is great, as ussual, but why does the building of the Liberty Resort read 'Hotel Zaza'?

[GMT 389]

wow

long update nice newspaper!

waiting for more

[suplado! 23]

wow -- lots of development...