The Geography Behind Larkspur Market

A Market on the Uplands

Larkspur Uplands is a broad, gently rolling plain. Farmers there grow apples, squash and beans. South of the plain, Marsh Creek spreads into a wet meadow. West of the farms, a rocky ridge rises above the plain. On the east side, a second wet meadow lies between several small farms and the town.

The town of Larkspur stands on a broad, flat patch where a paved north-south highway meets an east-west rail line. Homes, repair shops and the Saturday farmers market are close to this junction. The flat ground gives people room to build, and the two routes give travelers and goods more than one way to reach town.

Farmers do not all use the same route. Farmers north of town use the paved highway. Farmers west of town load carts at a rail siding, where a short track joins the main rail line. The tracks pass through a tunnel in the rocky ridge. Farmers east of town use a gravel farm road that curves around the wet meadow. Farmers south of town cross Marsh Creek on a bridge.

At the market, growers trade their produce for money with shoppers and restaurant cooks. Trucks carry some of the produce from the market to nearby towns. After heavy rain, the bridge over Marsh Creek can close for a time. Southern farmers may then take a longer route around the wet ground, or fewer of their crates may reach the market that day.