Edition 3

The Four Seasons Total Landscaping Press Conference

The Four Seasons Total Landscaping Press Conference

Attorneys and supporters of President Donald Trump held a post-election press conference in the back lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping in northeast Philadelphia. Earlier announcements using only ‘Four Seasons’ led many observers to assume the venue was the luxury hotel downtown. The landscaping business, beside an adult bookstore and near a crematory, instantly became an internet landmark.

Attorneys and supporters of President Donald Trump held a post-election press conference in the back lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping in northeast Philadelphia. Earlier announcements using only ‘Four Seasons’ led many observers to assume the venue was the luxury hotel downtown. The landscaping business, beside an adult bookstore and near a crematory, instantly became an internet landmark.

7 November 2020

7 November 2020

Four Seasons Total Landscaping, 7347 State Road

Four Seasons Total Landscaping, 7347 State Road

In the days after the 2020 United States election, Trump’s campaign challenged vote counting and results in several states. Philadelphia was a focus of those claims as Pennsylvania’s count moved toward a projection for Joe Biden.

In the days after the 2020 United States election, Trump’s campaign challenged vote counting and results in several states. Philadelphia was a focus of those claims as Pennsylvania’s count moved toward a projection for Joe Biden.

A presidential social-media announcement first named ‘Four Seasons, Philadelphia’ and was replaced with one specifying Four Seasons Total Landscaping. The hotel publicly clarified that the event was not there. Reporters then arrived at the small business on State Road for the scheduled appearance.

A presidential social-media announcement first named ‘Four Seasons, Philadelphia’ and was replaced with one specifying Four Seasons Total Landscaping. The hotel publicly clarified that the event was not there. Reporters then arrived at the small business on State Road for the scheduled appearance.

Rudy Giuliani spoke as major news organizations projected Biden the election winner. Images of campaign signage against the industrial back lot spread immediately. The business embraced some of the attention through merchandise and events, while explanations for the venue choice remained contested.

Rudy Giuliani spoke as major news organizations projected Biden the election winner. Images of campaign signage against the industrial back lot spread immediately. The business embraced some of the attention through merchandise and events, while explanations for the venue choice remained contested.

The location became shorthand for the chaotic final phase of the election challenge and for errors produced by names detached from place. It entered comedy, political commentary, tourism, and Philadelphia’s catalogue of unlikely landmarks.

The location became shorthand for the chaotic final phase of the election challenge and for errors produced by names detached from place. It entered comedy, political commentary, tourism, and Philadelphia’s catalogue of unlikely landmarks.

The episode is funny because geography punctured the visual language of national politics. A generic brand name created one expectation; the actual block, neighboring businesses, asphalt, and loading doors created another.

The episode is funny because geography punctured the visual language of national politics. A generic brand name created one expectation; the actual block, neighboring businesses, asphalt, and loading doors created another.

Four Seasons Total Landscaping continues to occupy the State Road property. The business name and surrounding streetscape make the meme unusually durable and visitable.

Four Seasons Total Landscaping continues to occupy the State Road property. The business name and surrounding streetscape make the meme unusually durable and visitable.

Reporting produced multiple theories about whether the venue resulted from confusion or was intentionally selected as friendly private property. The business said it was asked to host; the precise chain of decisions has not been conclusively documented.

Reporting produced multiple theories about whether the venue resulted from confusion or was intentionally selected as friendly private property. The business said it was asked to host; the precise chain of decisions has not been conclusively documented.

Chaos Tourist editorial

Chaos Tourist editorial