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Join authors Brenna and T.C. Michaels as they explore Savannah's long, wide and very often hidden history.

Savannah has repeatedly stood on the edge of ruin, brought to its knees by bloody battles, mysterious pestilence, fire, unforgiving weather and the drums of war. Men and women whose names echo in history once walked its streets. Countless other faces are seemingly forgotten, names that history held in looser grip - like Mary Musgrove, the colonial translator and entrepreneur, or Dr. Samuel Nunes, shipwrecked by chance on Savannah's coastal shores just in time to curb a deadly epidemic and save Savannah's first settlers. And then there's John Geary, the larger-than-life Union general who beat Sherman's march south to the sea.

When the bustle of a city slows, towns dissolve into abandoned buildings or return to woods and crumble into the North Georgia clay. In 1832, Auraria was one of the sites of the original American gold rush.

The remains of numerous towns dot the landscape - pockets of life that were lost to fire or drowned by the water of civic works projects. Cassville was a booming educational and cultural epicenter until 1864. Allatoona found its identity as a railroad town. Author and professor Lisa M. Russell unearths the forgotten towns of North Georgia.

In April 1865, the nation learned of the atrocities and horrors of the southern prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia. An army expedition and Clara Barton identified the graves of the thirteen thousand who perished there and established the Andersonville National Cemetery. In the 1890s, veterans and the Woman's Relief Corps, wanting to ensure the nation never forgot the tragedy, began preserving the site. The former prisoners expressed in granite their sorrow and gratitude to those who died or survived the prison camp. Join author and historian Stacy W. Reaves as she recounts the horrendous conditions of the prison and the tremendous efforts to memorialize the men within.

The history of this quintessential Southern town is best enjoyed on a sunny afternoon with a big glass of sweet tea.

Whether it's the battle for a bridge, the loss of life and limb by cannon fire, or the efforts of the community to fight a fire and save the old statehouse, readers will delight in this journey through Milledgeville's important and often colorful past. Milledgeville's resident and local historian Hugh Harrington leads visitors and locals alike through the fascinating and often bizarre stories of life in the antebellum capital of Georgia. Harrington's "'Round and About'? column has appeared in the Baldwin Bulletinover 100 times, and his work as appeared in other publications such as Georgia Backroads, Georgia Historical Quarterly, America's Civil War, Muzzle Blasts, and more. He is also the author of Civil War Milledgeville: Tales from the Confederate Capital of Georgia and More Milledgeville Memories.

In this assortment of his best articles, discover why Statesboro Herald columnist Roger Allen attracts a large and devoted Bulloch County following. Allen aptly entertains his audience with local lore and forgotten history, compiling a diverse and eclectic array of tales.

Read about a local baseball game in 1935 in which Babe Ruth took on the South Georgia Teachers Conference. Other chapters detail colonial and Native American influences on the region, the role of Bulloch County residents during World War II and the settlement of a Baptist community in Statesboro. Become reacquainted with Bulloch County's rich and quirky past through this captivating collection.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hidden in the northeast region of Georgia, lies -literally and figuratively - one of the Peach State's most treasured areas. Dahlonega, Georgia is known primarily as the site of the first major United States gold rush. But now, as the gold dust has settled, we can look back on the town's complex history - a history more valuable than its famous abundance of precious metal.

Full of little-known insight, Dahlonega, Georgia: A Brief History will expose this quaint city not only as a vibrant home for its residents, but also as an energized destination for history buffs and art connoisseurs. You will learn about the glistening reflection of North Georgia Agricultural College's gold-gilded steeple, which thousands of students view daily as they attend the Leadership Institution and Military College of Georgia. In addition, you will discover Dahlonega's fascinating artistic history, from its involvement in six silent films to the 1993 re-opening of the Holly Theatre, one of the top entertainment venues in the state.

Dahlonega, Georgia: A Brief History is not to be confused with works focusing solely on the distant past. The most up-to-date account available, this book even includes details of the famous 2006 discovery of gold underneath an old Dahlonega hotel.

Situated along the Georgia border, Augusta is known for its golf, beautiful private gardens and southern culture. But its history is also brimming with strange stories yet to be told. A beleaguered German princess gave the city its name. A "haunted pillar" survived a tornado that destroyed the area in 1878. The famous Wright brothers opened a branch of their flying school here in 1911. Author and historian Tom Mack uncovers and celebrates these gems hidden in Augusta's rich and teeming history.

The dynamic city of Smyrna, Georgia, situated a scant fifteen miles northwest of Atlanta, has a fascinating history. In July 1864, two significant battles were fought within the confines of present-day Smyrna as General Sherman's Federal juggernaut converged on the "Gateway City" of Atlanta. The town was incorporated in 1872 with a population of fewer than three hundred residents and high expectations that rapid suburban development would ensue. It was the coming to the area of the aeronautics industry in the post-World War II period that finally generated sustained growth. Then, in the 1990s, the city reinvented itself through an aggressive urban renewal program spearheaded by its dynamic mayor, Max Bacon, and a progressive-minded city council. Join author William P. Marchione, PhD, as he recounts the fascinating history that created Smyrna.

Romans have always been justifiably proud of their city. Located in the northwest corner of Georgia, Rome
consistently ranks as one of the most livable small cities in America. Situated in the southern foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at the confluence of three rivers, its scenic beauty is matched by the progressive spirit of its citizens. Georgia's Rome tells the stories of the city's
founding, its upheaval in the Civil War, its rebirth from the ashes of that conflict, the growth of its industry and the origins of its vibrant arts community. The book also focuses on the leaders and personalities of the city, including a first
lady of the United States and the father of naval aviation.

A train whistle blows, assuring denizens that all is as it has been in Norcross, Georgia, for more than one hundred years. Longtime Norcross resident Sally Toole invites you on a nostalgic journey through the city's past. Named not for the founder but for his best friend, Norcross has maintained a welcoming spirit since its incorporation over one hundred years ago. Discover the days when the railroad was first placed atop old Indian trails and Atlanta residents escaped by train to their favorite summer resort of Norcross. Find out why Norcross boasted more professional baseball players per capita than any other town in the United States. Colorful characters and heartwarming stories will remind residents and tourists alike why Norcross is a town that you never want to leave.

Over two centuries, Coweta County has been home to diverse residents who mastered the art of reinventing the county. Initially home to Creek-Muscogee Native Americans, subsequent settlers ushered in an era of plantations, slavery and textile manufacturing. By 1851, the new Atlanta and LaGrange Railroad increased traffic locally. The new railroad contributed to Newnan becoming a major healthcare hub during the Civil War, home to seven hospitals. Coweta County maintains its status as a major healthcare destination today, with the establishment of Cancer Treatment Centers of America's southeast regional hospital in Newnan. The county is now also known worldwide as the backdrop for major television productions like The Walking Dead and films like The Hunger Games: Mockingjay. Author and historian W. Jeff Bishop details Coweta County's history of transformation.

In 1890 Savannah has a population of 60,000. The city covers 4,000 acres, and has a valuation of nearly $40,000,000 and a commerce of $110,000,000. It has 106 miles of streets, sixty-five acres of public parks, fifteen miles of street railway and five miles of wharves. Geographically, it is at the head of ship navigation on the Savannah River, eighteen miles from the ocean, on a plateau fifty feet above the level of the sea. It is in 32° and some minutes north latitude, with the gulf stream just issuing from the tropics at no great distance to the eastward. It is near the isothermal line of 70° temperature, which marks the northern limit of the tropics. The city is nearly square, and most of the streets are broad and run at right angles with each other. The plan of the city proper was designed by Oglethorpe, and once commenced it was adhered to for its regularity, beauty, and comfort. All of the streets in the city are named, and the lanes take the name of the street north of them. The plan of the outskirts differs materially from that of the city proper. Bay street is the great commercial thoroughfare, and is lined with mercantile houses, banks, and business offices. The Custom-House, the City Exchange, Post-Office, and the Cotton Exchange are on "The Bay." Congress and Broughton are the principal retail business streets. Bull street is the great promenade, and extends from the City Exchange, overlooking the river, to the park, and beyond to the southern limits and the White Bluff shell road.

After the Civil War, state and national Prohibition galvanized in Atlanta the issues of classism, racism and anti-immigrant sentiment. While many consider flappers and gangsters the iconic images of the era, in reality, it was marked with temperance zealotry, blind tigers and white lightning. Georgia's protracted and intense battle changed the industrial and social landscapes of its capital city and unleashed a flood of illegal liquor that continually flowed in the wettest city in the South. Moonshine was the toast of the town from mill houses to the state capitol. The state eventually repealed prohibition, but the social, moral and legal repercussions still linger seventy years later. Join authors Ron Smith and Mary O. Boyle as they recount the colorful history of Atlanta's struggle to freely enjoy a drink.

The Battle of Chickamauga was the most significant Union defeat in the western theater of the Civil War and the second-deadliest battle of the war behind only Gettysburg. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park was established in 1890, the first of America's national military parks. Immediately after the battle, both Union and Confederate soldiers sought to honor those who gave their lives, and now Chickamauga and Chattanooga are home to more than seven hundred monuments, markers and tablets commemorating those who sacrificed. And much like the soldiers who bravely fought, each monument has its own history. Join Stacy W. Reaves and photographer Jane D. Beal as they recount the history of Chickamauga Battlefield and the monuments that memorialize its history.

Catoosa County's rich history touches upon many of the
defining events and social changes of America's past. As settlers expanded westward, Georgia forcibly removed Native Americans from the boundaries of what would eventually form Catoosa, a Cherokee name that the settlers adopted as their own. As the site of the second most costly battle in the Civil War, Chickamauga set the stage for much that followed
in Catoosa's history, from the end of a three-thousand-year-old mode of warfare to the beginnings of women's service in the military. Though nearly one million people visit Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park each year seeking to understand and connect to the Civil War struggle, many remain unaware of the larger part Catoosa played in the unfolding drama of America. Join local historian Jeff O'Bryant as he brings this valuable heritage to light.

South of Savannah, along the picturesque and historic coastline of Georgia, lies a group of barrier islands known as the Golden Isles.

This collection of coastal sea islands has attracted people--Native Americans, European settlers and vacationing sun-seekers--throughout history, for the islands' bountiful resources and appealing climate. Perhaps the brightest jewel of these islands is St. Simons Island. The History Press is proud to re-issue St. Simons Island: A Summary of its History, by local resident and historian R. Edwin Green. Mr. Green has compiled an informative volume, which highlights the unique and developing history of one of Georgia's most popular sea islands. Spanning over three hundred years of island history, Mr. Green brings to life the day-to-day toils of the Native Americans and their interaction with Spanish missionaries, the hardships faced by James Oglethorpe during the early colonial period, the rise and fall of the antebellum plantation society and the twentieth century with the start of St. Simons as a vacation and resort destination. With a keen eye for the details, which imparts the reader with a true understanding of the island's people and history, Mr. Green offers both the visitor and resident the historical foundation to enjoy all that St. Simons has to offer.

Writer Susan B. Johnson documents the interesting histories of of the famous antebellum cottages which dot Savannah's historic district.

In a warm, accessible style, Savannah writer Susan B. Johnson gives voice to the walls of the famous antebellum cottages that dot the city's historic district and examines the lives of the families that called them home. Who built these tiny dwellings? Who lived in their twelve hundred (or fewer) square feet of space? And what sort of world did they see when they gazed out their windows? This charming, meticulously researched book answers all these questions--and more. Who can resist the story of Dr. Samuel Furman, who was married to sisters, first Lucy and then Henrietta Williams? Or the sad tale of Edward and Jane Harden, who both died of bilious fever in 1804--he on her birthday, she on his--leaving their children in the care of slaves? Or the mystery of lively and conniving Eliza Howell, whose three husbands all died under the same circumstances?

The breathtaking geological wonder known as Stone Mountain has enchanted people since the age of the Paleo-Indians. Today, Stone Mountain Park annually attracts four million visitors from around the world. Hiking trails showcase rugged granite outcrops with hardy mountain plants, such as endearing yellow daisies. Majestic red-tailed hawks soar overhead. A storied past comes to life through an engaging park quarry exhibit, a historic railroad experience and an epic Confederate Memorial carving envisioned by Gutzon Borglum of Mount Rushmore fame. Writing during the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, authors Paul Hudson and Lora Mirza of Georgia Perimeter College in Atlanta present with verve this illustrated multicultural history of a legendary landmark.

Charming Dahlonega, Georgia is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the northeastern region of the Peach State. With a wealth of stories from her "I Remember Dahlonega" collection, Anne Amerson recalls the history that has made Dahlonega both a beloved home and a travel destination with a rich past.