Toccoa

9780738591995

$24.99

Toccoa officially became a city in 1873, but its history began long before, when the Cherokee Indians lived and hunted the vast rolling hillsides. The Cherokee thought the region so scenic that they named the nearby waterfalls Toccoa, meaning "beautiful." The area, which later became the city of Toccoa, originally was known as Dry Pond because of a small pond that was dry in the summer. With the coming of the railroad, enterprising investors and visionaries realized the area's potential and pooled their financial resources to purchase a significant amount of land near the railroad. Land was surveyed, lots were auctioned, and businessmen, bankers, and developers quickly established a strong commercial base in the newly formed city of Toccoa. People who moved to the area found it provided the perfect backdrop for family ties, lasting friendships, and commercial growth.

Middleburg

9780738592879

$24.99

Middleburg was established in 1787 by Leven Powell, one of Virginia's founding fathers.

Following a long decline after the Civil War, the arrival of foxhunting in 1904 gave the town an international reputation for breeding, showing, and racing Thoroughbred horses. Over the ensuing decades, Middleburg would undertake significant historic preservation, but the town would also be remarkable for its laissez-faire attitude toward the rich and famous. Movie stars and presidents were seduced not only by Middleburg's horses, hounds, and history, but also by its respect for the privacy of its more renowned residents and visitors. In Middleburg, photographs from the collections of local residents Howard Allen and Tyler Gore as well as from the National Sporting Library, the Library of Congress, and other sources were chosen to reflect the character and charm of this historic village.

St. Charles

9780738591148

$24.99

Incorporated in 1809, St. Charles has distinguished itself as a historically significant city with a small-town feel. Located on the banks of the Missouri River, St. Charles has been called the Williamsburg of the West. Repurposed buildings draw thousands of visitors each year, yet the city's historical importance is more than streets and structures. St. Charles was the scene of notable events, including the 1804 launching of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's exploration of the Missouri River and land in the Louisiana Purchase. The first state capital was located here from 1821 until 1826. Pioneer Daniel Boone settled here and helped create Boone's Lick Trail. It became a major artery for settlers, leading to the development of the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. In 1956, the first section of the Interstate Highway System opened in St. Charles.

Merrill

9780738590844

$24.99

Jenny or Jenny Bull Falls, as the city was fondly referred to before the railroad roared into town, was born on the backs of speculators, lumbermen, and businessmen in the mid-1840s. Pursuing wide-eyed dreams in the vast pine forests of the north woods, Jenny's population was around 200 in 1870. The worn trails of the Ojibwe/Chippewa, the area's first occupants, were transformed into logging roads, and by the time the city's name was formally changed to Merrill in 1881, the population had grown to 2,000. Nicknamed the "City of Parks" in 1903, Merrill is situated on the convergence of the Wisconsin and Prairie Rivers and features four seasons of natural beauty within the city limits. The wonder of Merrill lies in a century of traditions and in the heritage and beauty of its numerous historic buildings and places.

Galveston:

9780738596471

$26.99

Galveston had adopted the moniker "Playground of the Southwest" by the 1920s. This title noted the city's economic revival following the 1900 hurricane. Galvestonians envisioned a tourism industry largely built around its beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, the tranquil water of Galveston Bay, and a year-round mild climate. Island business leaders also introduced amusement parks, nationally renowned events, and nighttime entertainment venues. By the 1930s, in a waning national economy, Galveston saw the quiet return of more questionable tourist businesses including gambling and prostitution, challenging the concepts of the conventional tourism industry until closed by the Texas Rangers in the 1950s. Later in the 20th century, Galveston Historical Foundation leaders who discovered the economics of heritage tourism began promoting the island's captivating history.

North Conway

9780738592633

$24.99

North Conway is the largest and most densely populated village in the town of Conway, New Hampshire. It is the economic and cultural center of the White Mountains and has distinguished itself in the region with its tourist attractions, shopping outlets, sporting and recreational activities, and unique local restaurants. Chartered in 1765, North Conway has long been a playground of the rich and famous and has hosted politicians, sports legends, movie and television stars, and even European royalty. During the 19th century, it became a major center for White Mountain art. Many of the famous views enshrined in the canon of American art can still be enjoyed today, while others have been obscured by forests that have returned after being cleared for farming. Beginning in the 1930s with the founding of the Eastern Slope Ski Club, the unique Skimoble, and the famous ski school at Cranmore Mountain led by Hannes Schneider, North Conway became a winter paradise.

Millbury

9780738592664

$24.99

Located in the heart of the historic Blackstone Valley, Millbury has long played a central role in America's industrial and cultural history. The town's early history was shaped by the Nipmuc people. In the 18th century, farmers pushing west found Millbury's hills and waterways perfect for farms and small industries. The opening of the Blackstone Canal in 1828 allowed Millbury to market its wares to the nation. The Waters family produced guns in Armory Village, and Asa Waters II built his stately mansion downtown. Millbury inventors had a hand in perfecting the lathe, thermometer, and telegraph. By 1910, Millbury was an industrial powerhouse, producing shuttles for the weaving industry, woolen goods, and the finest chisels and machine tools in America. The mills, boasting over a century of innovation and experience, drew investors and workers eager for a share of the American dream.