Town of Hudson, Massachusetts:
Very nice older house near the center of the town.
One of the town parks. This park is across the street from the house above. Behind the woods in the back of the picture is the Assabet River. Fifty years ago the river was clean and full of fish. During the 60's, 70's and 80's the river became polluted and kill off many types of fish because of low oxygen content. The water looked clean but was polluted. During the 90's conservation and environment measures were applied to the river which has brought back the river into better shape but as of 2006 the water quality is not as good as it was in the 50's. It's estimated that it will take about 40 more years for the pollution to naturally work itself out of the river.
There is a wonderful foot bridge over the river at the back of the photo.
One end of the small part has a band stand for summer evening performances of many types.
Series of evening pictures of Hudson Main Street which is typical of thousands of American small towns. It's about 8pm on a Friday night. One very noticeable difference between here and China is the lack of people and size of sidewalks.
Library and fire station. Most of the older buildings on the Main street are approximately 150 years old.
The Main street forms a T at this end of the town. There is one street making up the downtown shopping area.
An "island" with shrubs in the town center. This area was the old common area but has been paved over for many years.
A public drinking fountain next to the library. The fountain was paid for by some of the area businesses.
Looking back at the top of the T making one end of the Main Street. The library and firehouse above are off on the left out of view.
Looking from the top of the T (in the photos above) down the main street. The Main Street continues further than the view shown by about half the distance in this photo. There are about 16,000 people living in the town of Hudson. There are malls for shopping located outside of the down town area. Note the lack of people walking around and most of the shops are closed.
Sign warning drivers to stop for people. The fine is about 1200 RMB if a driver does not stop and let a person walk across the street. Any time a person steps into a cross walk all drivers must stop for the person.
There are two churches on the Main Street and several more located on streets running off the Main Street close to the center of the town.
Statue next to the library honoring the veterans of wars. On the back is a listing of those who died in wars.
Small combination store with general good and gas for cars.
