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Cultural border, political divide Along Virginia’s Route 15, the intensity of the election season makes for tricky relationships.
Sept. 28, 2012
Tony Chastulik owns an antique place called "Really Great Finds" in Lucketts. While the area may have once been considered "the South,” it is no more. "This is no man's land," Chastulik said. "This is not the South." As the areas on the southwest edges of Washington, D.C., become more suburban, it seems that one must travel farther south to find places that "feel South."
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
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Sept. 28, 2012
An odd peeling painting that depicts a Pilgrim couple hangs on the outside wall of an old roadside building just off Route 15 in Lucketts. The areas on the southwest edges of Washington, D.C., have become more suburban.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Lots of homes are being built along Route 15, adding to the change in population density in once-rural areas such as Lucketts.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Homes are under construction along Route 15. Virginia has a long history as contested territory, and this year it’s a critical battleground state in the presidential election, with 13 electoral votes.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Cate Magennis Wyatt runs the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership. The group encourages appreciation of the heritage and history of the area. She's visiting a Civil War cemetery where both Union and Confederate soldiers are buried.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Linda Landreth gives some attention to her dog, Merlin, on the steps of her Waterford Market. As a fan of the president, she simply said, "I'm not unhappy with Obama."
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Colorful candy for sale at Linda Landreth's Waterford Market. As a general rule, the true South is more conservative, and more friendly to Republican candidates. The only catch is that the South is changing, modernizing and diversifying.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Kenny Davis, left, and Rudy Root repair the tin roof on a historic barn when he stopped to chat politics. He is a fan of the president and said of Romney's recent statements, "Social Security is not an entitlement. I paid into it. It's mine."
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Trish Davila, right, tasting room manager for The Winery at La Grange, offers wine samples to visitors. Davila, 45, doesn't say how she'll vote, but offers an unhappy observation: "People start to question other people's patriotism if they don't vote Republican." The winery is on an estate that's more than 200 years old.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Pumpkins being sold at a roadside farmers market along Route 15 bask in the sun with new tract housing in the background.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
This banner on a farm fence seems to indicate that if one wants to feel ln "the South," one may need to drive a bit farther south on Route 15.
Michael S. Williamson
/
The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Oatlands Plantation is more than 200 years old and the estate once had many slaves to run the place. It's now a historic landmark that is open for tours and can be rented for weddings and events.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
The remains of an old church sit just off of Route 15 in Prince William County. There are several housing developments nearby.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Mary and Bob Royster stand in their market, Midway Country Store in Rapidan. They are Democrats in a rural area that's largely Republican.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Mary and Bob Royster pull peppers from the garden next to their market, Midway Country Store.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Mary Royster shows off some peppers that she pulled from the garden.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
A display of Civil War items at Clark Brothers Guns in Opal. The owner, Steve Clark, says that while some Democrats come into his place, most patrons are Republicans. He fears that Obama will make guns harder to get at some point.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Steve Clark of Clark Brothers Guns says he'll vote for Mitt Romney and thinks President Obama has done everything wrong: “He won’t admit that he’s a socialist, and that’s what he is.”
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
A view of Clark Brothers Guns and shooting range.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Waitress Amanda Hatcher cleans the last table at closing time at the Frost Cafe in downtown Culpeper.While there are several higher-end restaurants in town, the Frost Cafe is where the locals eat. Hatcher says, "This place (Culpeper) is for sure Southern. This is where you can hear all the latest local gossip."
Michael S. Williamson
/
The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
The Legacy barber shop in downtown Culpeper. There's an Obama/Kaine sign in front of the shop.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
David Lamb, of Gordonsville, says he lives in the South. He feels that many folks from up north are moving to the area and don't understand or respect Southern culture.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Bailey's Store in Brandy Station is a landmark in the little enclave known for a Civil War battle. The place feels very Southern even though there are modern housing developments not far away.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
A spider hangs on a web on the railing of the bridge over the Rappahannock River at Remington.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Local vegetables are for sale at a farmers market on the square in Orange.
Michael S. Williamson
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The Washington Post
Sept. 28, 2012
Sunset on a dairy farm in Orange, an area where developments are not far away. As the areas on the southwest edges of Washington, D.C., become more suburban, it seems that one must travel farther south to find places that "feel South."
Michael S. Williamson
/
The Washington Post
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