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The American College Town
Not yet published
Expected 31 Dec 50Winner of the J.B. Jackson Prize from the Association of American Geographers.
The college town is a unique type of urban place, shaped by the sometimes conflicting forces of youth, intellect, and idealism. The hundreds of college towns in the United States are, in essence, an academic archipelago. Similar to one another, they differ in fundamental ways from other cities and the regions in which they are located.
In this highly readable book—the first work published on the subject—Blake Gumprecht identifies the distinguishing features of college towns, explains why they have developed as they have in the United States, and examines in depth various characteristics that make them unusual. In eight thematic chapters, he explores some of the most interesting aspects of college towns—their distinctive residential and commercial districts, their unconventional political cultures, their status as bohemian islands, their emergence as high-tech centers, and more. Each of these chapters focuses on a single college town as an example, while providing additional evidence from other towns.
Lively, richly detailed, and profusely illustrated with original maps and photographs, as well as historical images, this is an important book that firmly establishes the college town as an integral component of the American experience.
The college town is a unique type of urban place, shaped by the sometimes conflicting forces of youth, intellect, and idealism. The hundreds of college towns in the United States are, in essence, an academic archipelago. Similar to one another, they differ in fundamental ways from other cities and the regions in which they are located.
In this highly readable book—the first work published on the subject—Blake Gumprecht identifies the distinguishing features of college towns, explains why they have developed as they have in the United States, and examines in depth various characteristics that make them unusual. In eight thematic chapters, he explores some of the most interesting aspects of college towns—their distinctive residential and commercial districts, their unconventional political cultures, their status as bohemian islands, their emergence as high-tech centers, and more. Each of these chapters focuses on a single college town as an example, while providing additional evidence from other towns.
Lively, richly detailed, and profusely illustrated with original maps and photographs, as well as historical images, this is an important book that firmly establishes the college town as an integral component of the American experience.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 18, 2018
This is an academic text that explores the almost uniquely American phenomenon of the college town. Despite being written by an academic the text is quite accessible and is written in a friendly, engaging style. It also includes a great deal of personal anecdote and profiles that help humanize what could be a dry geographic survey.
The book examines a number of topics including defining college towns, how the campus acts as public space, fraternities, sororities and student ghettos, student-oriented business, counter culture, sports culture, high-tech hubs, liberalism/socialism/progressivism and college towns, relationships with government and their future. Each chapter uses a different college town as a case study.
The American college town has its origins in the ideology and ideas dominant in early America. Early American educators believed that the city was a contaminating, corrupting influence. As a result there was an effort to put education into more rural settings. In many instances the towns grew up around these institutions by simply providing services and housing. Ironically, this peculiarity will likely mean that the phenomenon will decline in the future. New post-secondary institutions tend to be located in cities and educational institutions stimulate growth in their communities, eliminating their 'college town feel.'
Blake Gumprecht does a good job in explaining why college towns are the way they are and their histories. There is a uniformity between them, while each offer their own unique elements. Culturally these towns carry great importance and significant influence. I think this book provides an excellent overview to the nature of the college town leading up to the early twenty-first century.
This book is obviously not for a wide audience. If any of the above review interests you then perhaps it is worth checking out. It also is a good survey of the evolution of post-secondary education in America. It is an interesting read and a good reference.
The book examines a number of topics including defining college towns, how the campus acts as public space, fraternities, sororities and student ghettos, student-oriented business, counter culture, sports culture, high-tech hubs, liberalism/socialism/progressivism and college towns, relationships with government and their future. Each chapter uses a different college town as a case study.
The American college town has its origins in the ideology and ideas dominant in early America. Early American educators believed that the city was a contaminating, corrupting influence. As a result there was an effort to put education into more rural settings. In many instances the towns grew up around these institutions by simply providing services and housing. Ironically, this peculiarity will likely mean that the phenomenon will decline in the future. New post-secondary institutions tend to be located in cities and educational institutions stimulate growth in their communities, eliminating their 'college town feel.'
Blake Gumprecht does a good job in explaining why college towns are the way they are and their histories. There is a uniformity between them, while each offer their own unique elements. Culturally these towns carry great importance and significant influence. I think this book provides an excellent overview to the nature of the college town leading up to the early twenty-first century.
This book is obviously not for a wide audience. If any of the above review interests you then perhaps it is worth checking out. It also is a good survey of the evolution of post-secondary education in America. It is an interesting read and a good reference.
April 11, 2019
3.5. This book came recommended by one of my college town professors many years ago. Interesting insight on things I never would've thought about being caught up in the mire.
March 30, 2010
The amount of research that was put into this book is really astounding. I've spent my entire adult life living in college towns, and I appreciated the author's incites into what exactly it is that distinguishes these unique places from the rest of the world. College towns are often said to be ten square miles "surrounded by reality". Personally, I think reality is overrated.
Favorite quote:
"Davis is a typical kind of college town where liberal politics are mainstream, moderate dems are considered conservative, and republicans are lonely."
Favorite quote:
"Davis is a typical kind of college town where liberal politics are mainstream, moderate dems are considered conservative, and republicans are lonely."
July 7, 2012
This book gave insights to what creates successful downtowns. Having a university or college closely associated can help if local leaders understand what they contribute. Unfortunately, many cities don't take advantage of having a college in the town.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews