Two days in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Why Harrisburg? I think the organisers wanted us all to get a glimpse of another kind of small-town America: poorer, more industrial, no JC Pennys.

Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania, but has a population of only around 150,000, and is pretty down on its luck. It is built on the banks of the Susquehanna, a wide slow river named after one of the many Indian tribes that have long since disappeared. Historically it made its living off trade along the river, but now its main industry is the state government, and a little baseball.

Architecturally, it is a mixture of grand old stone houses, like this one, built to catch the breeze off the river; less expensive but still pretty three-story terrace houses on streets running up from the river; old stone churches of every denomination and style; and ugly post-war office blocks. It is hot, shabby, dirty, steamy, depressed, and small-town. To Let and Obama signs are everywhere. Apparently Obama is likely to take the city, but the surrounding area will go to the Republicans.










Ingrida and I went for a wander down by the river looking for somewhere to eat, but the town was deserted in the heat.





















In the evening we were taken to meet the Mayor, Stephen Reed. He has been mayor since 1982, and for the last five elections has been the nominee of both parties. Paul from Benin asked him for the secret to his popularity.


He replied that he works for the people, not interest groups, and that if you go into politics to have everybody like you, you are bound to fail. Then he made us each Honorary Citizens of Harrisburg, and we thought he was a great guy.






The State House.














Being in Harrisburg has been good for the team spirit. Everyone has had a chance to calm down a little after New York, and there isn't a whole lot more to do in the town than take advantage of the $3.00 pineapple margarita specials, and eat crab cakes with melted cheese.

Next, Gettysburg.