> It seems like a great way... It was a small town, in the early 1900's. Everybody knew everybody, including the kids - who freely roamed the town when not do

> It seems like a great way... It was a small town, in the early 1900's. Everybody knew everybody, including the kids - who freely roamed the town when not doing chores or such. I'd agree that it was very good for the kids' social development...but "foster a sense of community", in the present-day context, sounds like an express ticket to expecting far too much from it.