Baseball has been a part of Cedar Rapids for over 100 years and soon the city’s colorful history with the national pastime will be immortalized in a forthcoming book.

"Oakland Fire Department" (Arcadia Publishing, $19.99) by Geoffrey Hunter of Clayton. Enjoy this history of the Oakland Fire Department, accompanied by more than 200 photographs. View images of fire chiefs, firehouses and engines, Oakland disasters and firefighters at work. Hunter talks about fire horses as well.

In 1958, the nurses parade was so large that 100-thousand people lined a Chicago street to watch 4,000 marching uniformed nurses, over 30 bands, and more than 100 decorated floats that represented nearly all Chicagoland hospitals and schools of nursing.

A new book, "Fenn College," chronicles the history of the institution that was Cleveland State University's predecessor. The book was compiled by the CSU library staff and published by Arcadia Publishing

Readers of a new "Images of America" book on Pen Mar will relive the magic of the park through the voices of those who cherish it. Over the years, Frank and Suanne Woodring of Boonsboro have featured many articles on the park in their publication, the Maryland Cracker Barrel.

When most people hear the name Gund, they think of teddy bears and other soft furry toys. A product called Bag Full of Laughs? Not so much But 35 years ago, the bag that emitted laughing sounds was a big seller for Edison-based Gund, as was its companion product, Bag of Bull, which mooed.

Anyone who enjoys looking at old photographs is bound to enjoy Moores Hill native Allen J. Singer’s newest book, Cincinnati on the Go: History of Mass Transit. The book, one in Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series, grew from Singer’s first published book, The Cincinnati Subway: History of Mass Transit, he said.

Jeffrey Pearlman brings the Revere Beach of days gone by back to life Saturday night with his visual and oral presentation on the beach's glory days.

"The Polish Community of New Britain," compiled by Jonathan Shea and Barbara Proko and published by Arcadia Publishing, is a collection of 225 photographs illustrating the stories of the several generations of Polish immigrants that have come to New Britain.

From mud-covered soldiers learning the realities of trench warfare in World War I to German prisoners staging plays in World War II, Ft. Sheridan reveals its past through 208 photographs recently published in a book.

Betty Parshall hunted for the historic rock of the Visitacion by scrutinizing outcroppings and hillsides. Russel Morine looks for the origins of the neighborhood name Little Hollywood. Cynthia Cox listens to old-timers for the stories she cannot find in the books.

The 128-page visual chronology captures Carlisle's history-makers, old buildings, and landmark events through a compilation of old black-and-white photographs.

Shreveport journalist, historian and author Eric J. Brock will sign copies of his latest book, "Shreveport in Vintage Postcards," from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Shreveport Trading Company Antiques, 205 E. Kings Highway.

Avis Townsend, author of “Newfane and Olcott,” a new paperback released by Arcadia Publishing, will be at the Niagara County Historical Society, 215 Lockport St., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to autograph copies of her latest work.

Paging through a new book called "Victorian Hartford" is like opening a treasure chest full of postcards from the past.