Old Town Florence lives up to its name with old-time Americana architecture all over the place. It's sometimes like stepping back in time, if you ignore the folks wandering as they stare at their cellphones.

Some buildings are somewhat elaborate, almost Victorian, at least in their influence. Some look like old west saloons leftover, with their fronts a simple wooden design, retained for who-knows-how-many years. Still many others have a true turn-of-the-century charm, hearkening back to a world of Dixieland jazz and Sousa marches.

All the while, brilliant whites and other bold colors dot the streets, along with the famed flower hanging baskets that Florence is known for.

Pictured here is the Florence Theatre building some 20 years ago when it was still an active theater. Built in the classic Art Deco style, it opened in 1938, then was damaged during a fire in '57. After repairs, it reopened as the Harbor Theatre, which it likely was still when this shot was taken by the precursor to Oregon Coast Beach Connection in the early 2000s. It closed shortly after, becoming a shoe store for a time and then a clothing store.

Florence contains one very large cultural feature in the Florence Events Center (715 Quince St. Call: 888-968-4086.) It boasts an active art gallery, various musical productions in the symphonic, Americana or jazz realms, and huge festival events such as the annual Chowder, Blues and Brews Festival every fall.

The time travel vibes of Gazebo Park in Florence.

Photo courtesy Florence Chamber