The photograph “Main Street in Pennsylvania Town” is an artistic work captured by the photographer Walker Evans in the year 1935. It depicts a scene from a town in Pennsylvania, showcasing a central street captured in a timeframe that reflects the era’s economic and cultural atmosphere.
The photograph shows a statue mounted on a tall column located in what appears to be a small traffic circle or roundabout. The statue, possibly depicting a historical figure, stands prominently above the street level. Below it, the base of the column is adorned with a large clock, and there’s simple landscaping around it. The street itself has a vintage look, with tram tracks embedded in the road, indicating a public transportation system from a bygone era. Electrical and telephone wires crisscross above, connecting the traditional two- to three-story buildings lining the street. The architecture and signage suggest a mid-20th-century American small town. Shops and possibly a local theater with period-specific advertising can be seen on the right side of the street. The perspective and composition of the image offer a view down the length of the street, giving an impression of the town’s layout and daily life during the time period in which the photo was taken.