Some small towns make big comeback, CNN says

Paducah, Ky. (CNN photo)

A story by CNN reporter Jordan Rane examines eight "small" historic American towns that he says are making a comeback: New Iberia, La.; Frederick, Md.; Ely, Nev.; DeLand, Fla.; Libertyville, Ill.; El Dorado, Ark.; Paducah, Ky., and Coronado, Calif., across San Diego Bay from that city. Ely is the smallest with a population of 4,000, the rest are all 18,000 to 30,000, except Frederick, with a population of 66,000.

"Sometimes the best against all odds tales are real ones, taking place in unsung towns, led by regular citizens energized to resuscitate once thriving destinations just as they appeared flat on the mat," writes Rane. "Even big, star-studded cities face struggles and off decades, but what's kept Main Street, USA alive amid interstates, mega-malls, national chains and closed stagecoach routes? The heart and hard work of historic rebound towns like the eight highlighted in this story." (Read more)