The document discusses the history and current state of a small town located along a river. It describes how the town was originally settled in the early 1800s by farmers and grew slowly over the next century as a small agricultural community. In recent decades, the town has experienced renewed growth as more people have moved there seeking a quiet place to live within commuting distance of a major city. The population has doubled in the last 30 years and new housing developments and businesses have opened. However, some long-time residents feel the rural character of the town is being lost due to the rapid development and growth.