AS A WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER, I notice details.
Details define, set a mood and/or a scene, comprise the whole.
A shot of Amboy’s Maine Street with The Amboy Cottage Cafe on the corner to the left.
During a brief visit to Amboy in rural southern Minnesota this past July, I noticed details which create a memorable community.
One of the first things to catch my eye as we drove into Amboy.
From the vivid painted wooden quilts displayed against a garage
Urban Oil, named after the local Urban family.
Just because I love this building and that name, a second shot of Urban Oil, Inc.
to Urban Oil, a rather amusing name for a service station in a rural setting (note that the station is named after the Urban family),
You’ll find an abundance of garden art at The Amboy Cottage Cafe.
to the garden art at The Amboy Cottage Cafe, details abound.
I appreciate signage,
Signage on the old grain elevator, now Grainspace LLC, and no longer an operating elevator.
old
Signage outside The Amboy Cottage Cafe.
and new.
Sweet handcrafted sweaters at Acorn Studio.
An Acorn Studio display.
Inside Frame It Arts & Antiques.
And I appreciate the care businesses take in showcasing their wares.
Looking down Maine Street in Amboy.
Amboy is one sweet small town.
FYI: To read a previous post on Amboy click here. To read my story about The Amboy Cottage Cafe, click here.
Check out Amboy’s Facebook page by clicking here.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Favorite picture today has to be the quilt art—-I LOVE seeing those on barns and this picture shows another creative way to showcase art. Lovely. The little garden art dude is pretty sweet, too.
Yes, there has to be a story behind the quilt art because, as you can see in the photo, there are many more slots alongside the garage for quilt art to be displayed. I’m thinking this may be a business. Readers from Amboy, can you provide info?
I like that “little garden art dude,” too. A lot.
A clean classic rural/small town. I have always been aware of the width of the main street in all the towns of this size, especially (including ours….Houston). We were told that the width of the street was determined by what was needed to turn a team of horses around in years gone by. I can certainly see that. Your little tour is so sweet…..the personal/artistic touches (‘barn’ quilts!!!! Yay!!!!) to the remnants of the town’s personal history (“Urban” gas station and the elevator). Once again, thank you! And hugs………………….
I knew you would appreciate that quilt art.
My hometown of Vesta also has a really wide Main Street with parking in the middle as well as along both sides.
Great Captures – love how you set the scene in your photography Audrey:) Happy Thursday!
Thanks, Renee. I try.
We could be looking down “main street – USA”; loved the quilt art and have often thought of painting a design on side of my husband’s shop! Loved the scenes in your post today.
Thank you. By all means, get artsy and create that quilt design for your husband’s shop.
Considering the tiny population, it does seem to be a town with a lot going on. I love the caterpillar and want one like that for my garden! xx
You’re the third person, including me, to want one of those caterpillars.
I think we’re all impressed with Amboy.