The 20 Best Small Towns in America of 2012
From the Berkshires to the Cascades, we've crunched the numbers and pulled a list some of the most interesting spots around the country
- By Susan Spano and Aviva Shen
- Smithsonian magazine, May 2012
(Andre Jenny / Alamy)
Life in Beckley, like much of the Appalachian area, has always revolved around the coal industry. Take a tour of the coal seams under the city at the Exhibition Coal Mine, renovated in 2008 to give visitors a look into the life of a coal miner and the history of the region. There’s plenty of activity aboveground, too, most of it happening at Tamarack, West Virginia’s enormous arts center off the Beckley exit on the West Virginia Turnpike. Tamarack doubles as market and arts center: local artisans give demos and sell their textiles, jewelry and pottery, and the Tamarack theater hosts live music, theater, dance and lectures. Summer brings a full cultural schedule: Theater West Virginia can be found performing most nights at Beckley’s outdoor theater, and the Appalachian Festival takes over the town for three days of distinctly Appalachian arts, crafts, music and food. -- AS
Editor's note: This entry original referred to this small town as Beckley City, West Virginia. We regret the error.>/em>
Read how these towns were selected.
Comments (844)
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Your article said Sausalito was '#12. What happened. Where is the article in this small town?
Posted by Patti frazier on May 11,2013 | 10:04 PM
This town looks perfect! I was wondering if you could send me a pamplet or more info on it. Thank You.
Posted by Rhonda robison on May 11,2013 | 03:44 PM
I must say that, having been born in Butler and still living there, I can't possibly figure out how you people think we rate being on this list. You have obviously never been there. Drug addicts everywhere, dilapidated buildings, crumbling roads and sidewalks, a huge jail right in the middle of downtown, etc. The town is a DUMP!! I live in Butler Township, which surrounds the city, and it is amazing that such a stark constrast can exist between two places so close together. I highly recommend that you do NOT visit Butler! (By the way, the picture for Butler is not an "East side neighborhood", it is called Lyndora, which has its own post office and zip code and is not even part of Butler. Please correct this error.)
Posted by Sam Hoszwa on May 9,2013 | 12:47 PM
Beckley, West Virginia? You've got to be kidding me! I'm from West Virginia, and I've been to Beckley many times throughout my life visiting family. Beckley is one of my least favorite places in West Virginia! The picture shows Tamarak, which to be honest, is not that exciting, and is not really in Beckley anyway. Seriously, it is a run-down town that has nothing going on, and if I didn't have family that lived there, I would never intentionally go there. This just discredits the entire article in my opinion.
Posted by Heather on May 8,2013 | 11:38 PM
I lived in Menomonie for four years during college at Stout. Somehow I missed the building in the photo. I lived in Mabel Tainter Hall for two years and loved the old house. The achitecture was nearly identical to the building featured. I'm hoping to visit Menomonie this coming warmer weather seasons.
Posted by Carole-Joy Evert on April 26,2013 | 03:11 PM
The best towns are where your loving family is.
Posted by John on April 22,2013 | 01:05 PM
I live in Astoria, OR and your description of the town seems to have come straight from a Chamber of Commerce brochure. I don't believe you actually visited the place. Or if you did, you limited yourself to the 10 square block tourist-trap area downtown. Outside of that you only see run-down houses, boarded up businesses, and people in hunting camouflage driving jacked-up pickups. You obviously did not talk to anyone outside of town officials either, or you would have realized the general sense of apathy that pervades the population. And what you euphamistically refer to as "blue collar" is actually just redneck. This is a depressing place, and it has nothing to do with the weather.
Posted by Charles Bode on April 16,2013 | 01:29 AM
Cool place,great to visit
Posted by Gage on April 15,2013 | 04:24 PM
I went through the 22 cities and did not find Lihue, HI. What happened? I went through the cities 2 times. I love Laguna Beach. I have been going to Laguna Beach for over 25 years.I never get tired of visiting. there is always something new. Christine
Posted by christine Smith on April 11,2013 | 05:27 PM
Hard to believe Aspen isn't on the list. For culture, it beats most of the others hands down.
Posted by chuck rock on April 11,2013 | 10:36 AM
My hometown!! Proud to say i live here..thanks for adding us to the list!
Posted by dottie legg on April 9,2013 | 01:34 PM
Sun Valley should be in here, but it might be a little to small. (5,000 is the population) It is a really fun place. GREAT skiing in Winter and pretty good mountain biking in the Summer
Posted by binruggeri on April 6,2013 | 03:25 PM
Gig Harbor is an awesome little town. 7,200 is pretty a small population, don't you think? Just research Gig Harbor, Wa and see all the cool stuff about it. Also for all those sun lovers, come in the summer.
Posted by ghf on April 2,2013 | 07:31 PM
While waiting in an Orthodontist office I found a maagazine which I am sure was a Smithsonian magazine ffor children, but I can find no info for one. Is there such an issue? Collin
Posted by Collin L. Neal on March 27,2013 | 05:31 PM
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