Look for story ideas in from the past. My library has a local history reference room. You'll be amazed at what you find. 
    
Newspapers
Make sure you look at the ads and obituaries. Both provide great material for setting a scene in a different generation.

Many newspapers had society pages. What more could you need for characters and story ideas?

Old Maps
Many historical societies and libraries have old maps. Some are even available online. These are good ideas for place names or interesting character names.

City Directories
Old city directories have lots of good names. Many also have advertisements. It's a great way to see what a street looked like in a particular year.

Deeds, Wills, or Other Court Documents
Check out deeds or wills. You'll find lots of ideas for stories and characters. Law suits have a lot of drama. Read carefully. Sometimes, you'll find stuff that will surprise you.

I've looked up deeds for land for churches, farms, and cemeteries in my genealogical research. It's interesting to see who owned it before it was what it is now.

Yearbooks
Some local history collections contain copies of old yearbooks, which are great time capsules. Again, don't forget the ads.