Evanston, Illinois, the suburb of Chicago, is a company town.

Growing up there, I got the chance to study a world-renowned institution that by being local, bred a bit of familiarity and contempt, no - more like resentment.

They employed everybody, had prime real estate, influenced local government.

Just as importantly, they represented Old Money.

That over-arching dominance, money and influence wasnt readily apparent.. until you clocked on to What Its All About.

They Own Everything.

In Evanston, this Institution is Northwestern University. New York, that would be Columbia U.

In Northern California, that role is arguably filled by Stanford University.

(If you want identify what institution -church, school, organization- occupies that particular niche of power and influence, find out who supports the dominant hospital and medical groups in your area.)

So, on high my list of places to see while Im in the Bay Area was Stanford and its company town of Palo Alto.