The only exterior decorations were the signs for the anchor stores.

But, despite the sterile, modern and monotonous exteriors, in small city America, people claimed the center courts for their own activities, just as people have done for centuries with traditional retail centers, whether it was the village square or main street America. Encouraged and often organized by the mall management, there were baby races, square dances, political rallies, beauty pageants, car shows and every other imaginable social activity.