This brings us to a discussion of the structure of the neighborhoods in Northfield and how they differ.  Jefferson’s National Survey, a grid system of land allotments, was created in 1785 to promote the equal independent allotments for those homesteading on the frontier of the expanding United States (Wright 22).  This system created cities and towns based on grid systems rather than following the natural contours of the physical characteristics of the land.  Therefore most towns in the Midwest were originally planned using the grid system creating straight city blocks

   1900 map of Northfield showing original grid system                    1988 birds eye drawing of  Northfield grid system

                           (Courtesy of NHS)                                                                               (Courtesy of NHS)     

Conversely modern developments often have winding streets, cul-de-sacs, and dead ends to combat the modern problem of traffic speed, in order to make neighborhoods a safer place for children. There is an obvious shift in structure of Northfield neighborhoods as the original grid planning of older neighborhoods has yielded to the curving cu-de-sac streets characteristic of more modern developments (Rogness 34).

1997 Map of Northfield showing winding streets towards the edges of town
(Courtesy of NHS)

  

        Neighborhood in the proximity of central park                               A new development with curved streets
                     within a grided neighborhood 

There is also shift in the overall appearance of Neighborhoods.  The older neighborhoods appear to have a diversity of homes consisting of different sizes, shapes, colors, and architectural styles.  In Northfield by 1900 many of the blocks within the original city plat were built up with a great variety of houses, these neighborhoods still maintain their architecturally diverse flavor (Zellie 68).  In contrast, the newer suburban developments have a “cookie-cutter” feel to them with homes that have exteriors that are almost identical, even down to the shade of the siding (Constantine 8).  Edward Relph (30-31) makes the argument that this homogenization of communities is a result of the explosion of telecommunications, which has made an impact on landscapes and places, by providing direct access to even the most remote places and information.