Name: Kansas City's Historic Midtown Neighborhoods
Brand: Mary Jo Draper
SKU: 9781467113427
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Kansas City's Historic Midtown Neighborhoods

9781467113427

$24.99

The unique character of Midtown--from Thirty-first to Fifty-fifth Streets, State Line to the Paseo--grew out of its development as the streetcar suburbs of an expanding Kansas City. As residents both rich and poor moved out of the crowded downtown area after 1880, Midtown neighborhoods were built. The first wave brought mansions to major streets such as Armour Boulevard, Troost Avenue, and Broadway Boulevard, and later a housing shortage spurred the development of Midtown's unique apartment buildings. Well-known architects and local developers created bungalows, shirtwaists, and tree-lined residential streets. Churches and schools, business districts, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues quickly followed residents in their migration to the "south side." By the 1940s, Midtown's growing residential districts had developed into today's popular neighborhoods, including Center City, Coleman Highlands, Countryside, Crestwood, Heart of Westport, Hyde Park, Manheim Park, Old Hyde Park, Plaza-Westport, Rockhill, Volker, Roanoke, South Plaza, Southmoreland, Squier Park, Sunset Hill, Troostwood, Valentine, West Plaza, and Westwood Park.

Kansas City's Historic Midtown Neighborhoods

Pocatello in Print

9781467128926

$23.99

Nestled in the Portneuf Gap where the Snake River Plain meets the Rocky Mountains, Pocatello is a regional economic, transportation, and education hub in Southeast Idaho. The Idaho State Journal and its predecessor, the Pocatello Tribune, have been covering events and capturing the spirit of the people in and around Pocatello since 1890. Pocatello in Print: From the Archives of the Idaho State Journal displays photographs that illustrate and celebrate over a century of Pocatello history.

Orono

9780738513447

$24.99

The images contained in Orono present the many facets of this central Maine town. Incorporated in 1806 and named after a blue-eyed American Indian chief, Orono began as a farming community but quickly capitalized on the presence of the Penobscot and Stillwater Rivers to evolve into a burgeoning industrial town. When it became the home to Maine's land grant university in 1865, the lamp of higher learning was added to the stacks of lumber that served as Orono's contribution to state and nation. Around the beginning of the twentieth century, lumbering gave way to papermaking, which continued until the end of World War II.

Woodland Park

9780738580579

$24.99

Woodland Park, at an altitude of nearly 8,500 feet, is located 18 miles west of Colorado Springs along the north slope of Pikes Peak in eastern Teller County. Much of the history of the West passed through this area on the old Ute Trail--now Highway 24--as hunters, trappers, cowboys, Native Americans, settlers, miners, railroaders, ranchers, and tourists discovered an abundance of natural beauty and varied business opportunities through the years. Woodland Park is now home to about 8,000 year-round residents, many of whom treasure not only the spectacular scenery but also the rich past of the town. This evocative tour through that past shares vintage photographs collected by the Ute Pass Historical Society.

Houston's Sporting Life

9780738579740

$24.99

Houston has been a sports-crazy town since its founding in 1836 when the biggest pastime was watching the horse races held south of what was then the capitol of Texas. By 1900, spectators and athletes alike enjoyed the team sports played at every school in the city and suburbs. Companies competed with one another in baseball, basketball, and track. Boxing gyms dotted the wards, and downtown boasted billiard halls, bowling alleys, and indoor shooting galleries. There was also hunting and fishing, auto racing, swimming, and hockey at the Polar Wave, a mid-century indoor ice rink. This book presents a history of how Houstonians competed, where their recreation took them, and how they enjoyed a potential 12 months of "outdoor" weather. The 20th century was a fun and vibrant time for both fans and participants in the sporting and outdoor life of Houston, and many of today's fans of sports and local history look back on Houston's sporting past with a sense of nostalgia.

The Bayous of Houston

9780738596129

$24.99

When the Allen brothers were looking to establish a new city in 1836, they selected a site at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou, which was the head of navigational waters. They named the city after Gen. Sam Houston, and ever since then, Houston and its bayous have been indelibly linked. With Buffalo Bayou as the lifeblood of the city, Houston thrived as an inland port. Early development occurred along the bayou, and it was widened, deepened, and straightened to accommodate growing commerce in Texas. Buffalo Bayou linked the city of Houston to Galveston Bay, where ships were waiting to share Texas products with the rest of the world. Today, with Houston as the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, the Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports in the world.

Lincoln County

9780738593876

$24.99

In 1796, the general assembly of Georgia created a new county from the eastern portion of Wilkes County in northeast Georgia. Bordered by the Savannah River to the east, the Broad River to the north, and the Little River to the south, Lincoln County quickly became a sports and recreational paradise. With the construction of Clark Hill Lake, the population increased, as did the quality of education and life. Fortunately, most of the families that populated Lincoln County are still here. Even NFL (not from Lincoln) folks settle down, become Lincoln High School Red Devil football fans, and begin to believe the small county of Lincoln and the county seat of Lincolnton really are paradise.

Kalamazoo River

9781467129022

$23.99

The Kalamazoo River stretches 178 miles, from Hillsdale County to Lake Michigan. The river winds its way through southwest Michigan, providing opportunities for recreation, including kayaking and fishing. Settlements along the river have a rich history that began with Native Americans and European settlers. In the early 1900s, several dams were built along the river for hydroelectric power, leading to many mills (lumber, flour, grist, and paper) dotting its banks. This ushered in an industrial era along the river. For many years, the river and its surrounding land were the primary places for business waste disposal, which jeopardized aquatic communities. In the 1960s, people demanded better water quality, and environmental laws were passed in the 1970s. Derelict hydroelectric dams along the Kalamazoo River are now being removed to restore the river's natural flow and its aquatic life. Come along as the Kalamazoo River's past is revealed.

Fort Dodge

9780738561820

$24.99

Fort Dodge was founded in 1850 as a military post to police the Iowa frontier. A subsequent land boom created fortunes that were reinvested in the local economy. The town soon earned the nickname "Mineral City" because of the extensive deposits of coal, gypsum, limestone, and clay. By 1900, the city was a rail center and the world's largest producer of gypsum products. With a highly diversified economy, the city prospered and by World War I was able to claim to have more skyscrapers per capita than any other city in the Midwest and beautiful public buildings designed by some of the nation's leading architects. Between 1900 and 1925, Fort Dodge enjoyed the role as an important political center and the home of two U.S. senators, the director of the U.S. Mint, the solicitor of the Department of the Treasury, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, and the first presidential press secretary and speechwriter. Sons and daughters of the community went on to establish national reputations in art, music, literature, science, and journalism. Images used in this volume come primarily from the archives of the Webster County Historical Society and were chosen to represent the changing character of the community from 1850 to 1970.

Clark County

9780738560250

$23.99

Discover Clark County, a community in Illinois affected by booms in oil and farming as well as housing award-winning writers.

The Wabash River, the National Road, and later the Vandalia Railroad and other rail lines brought settlers and prosperity to Clark County. Communities like Marshall, Martinsville, Casey, Westfield, Darwin, York, and West Union all flourished. The oil boom, which began in 1905, opened one of the most important industries in the county, and a local tank farm and pipeline both operate 100 years later. Farming has always been the main focus for Clark County, smaller grain mills having been replaced by large grain elevators, and the sale of farm equipment and supplies remains a vital business today. Yet Clark County is unique in having hosted a most unusual and successful writers' colony. Located on the west edge of Marshall, the colony produced numerous published authors, including James Jones of From Here to Eternity fame. In addition, several other Clark County citizens have authored books, and a Casey native was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for news writing.

Murphy

9780738585383

$24.99

With a 470-percent population spike during the last decade, Murphy, Texas, is the fastest-growing city in Collin County. Citizens are still drawn to the area just as the pioneers were. Murphy, first known as Maxwell and then Decatur, was once part of the Peters Colony empresario grant issued by the Republic of Texas in 1841. Carved out of the Blackland Prairie Region, the soil was rich and black, rainfall was abundant, the temperature was moderate, and the land was carpeted with tall grasses. Native trees, wild fruit, honey, game, fish, and wild turkey were plentiful. Trees were cut for homes, and prairie soils were plowed for crops. The arrival of the railroad in 1888 made it more convenient for farmers to transport crops and for local shopkeepers to operate their businesses, which left a lasting legacy in the community.

Palm Beach Gardens

9780738593807

$24.99

With images from public and private collections, join the Palm Gardens Historical Society as they paint a colorful picture of this impressive community.

Sculpted from the swamp, sawgrass, and sand of Florida scrubland, Palm Beach Gardens emerged as a pristine embodiment of the dream of eccentric--but brilliant--billionaire John D. MacArthur, who appealed to the Florida Legislature in 1959 for the creation of this new city. A larger-than-life character who relocated an 80-year-old, 76-ton banyan tree several miles down roads and across railroad tracks to mark the entrance to his city, MacArthur later fully financed the Palm Beach Gardens interchange on Florida's Turnpike to promote growth in the western part of the city. Palm Beach Gardens, with 30 percent of its 4,000 acres devoted to green space, was ecologically sound before the environmental movement began. With the RCA Corporation and nearby Pratt & Whitney providing employment in the early years, schools and churches nourishing families, and a strong strain of volunteerism among residents, by 1970 Palm Beach Gardens was the fastest-growing municipality in the nation. Although ""Mr. Mac"" did not play golf nor particularly like the game, he encouraged its development in the ""Gardens"" because of its positive influence on real estate sales and tourism. Indeed, he invited the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) to make its home there and declared Palm Beach Gardens the ""Golf Capital of the World""--today, there are 17 golf courses in the city.

Troy's Little Italy

9780738565132

$24.99

Italian immigrants began arriving in Troy in the late 1880s, escaping the abject poverty of their homeland. They settled in Troy's First and Eighth Wards, just south of the central business district, in an area bustling with activity. The neighborhood contained blocks of two- and three-story brick buildings and a mix of row houses and freestanding homes. Most homes were built on streets adjacent to the western slope of Mount Ida, the city's most prominent geographic feature. Within a few years, these Italian immigrants began opening small businesses, particularly on Fourth Street, the center of the Little Italy neighborhood, and soon became an important part of Troy's cultural heritage.

Milton

9780738598314

$24.99

Milton, located in the northwest corner of Vermont on the shores of Lake Champlain, covers some 67 square miles. The area attracted settlers who found the pine forests ideal for lumbering and the land fertile enough to farm. One-room schoolhouses dotted the landscape, and commerce grew in the Main and River Streets area. With the arrival of the railroad and the creation of summer camps and recreation areas, Milton quickly became an attractive destination for visitors from Boston, New York, and beyond. Rural, northern Vermont was not an easy place to make a living or create a community, and the images in Milton show the triumphs and struggles of the town as it established a strong identity through the years. Photographs of businesses, farms, churches, organizations, schools, and people at work and play demonstrate the progress that Milton has made through the years.

Hays

9780738560243

$24.99

Hays was founded in 1867 as the Union Pacific Railroad moved west. Its early history includes Wild West antics with famous people like Wild Bill Hickok, but soon Hays became a center for agriculture, commerce, and education. By 1930, the population of Hays was 5,000, and it grew to 7,000 by the end of the decade. Although the 1930s were a time of economic depression, of agricultural drought and dust storms, these photographs of Hays show a much different story. They are positive, even energetic, showing the upside to a depressed decade. Photographer R. E. Ekey began his studio in 1928 and retired in 1955. His photographs of Hays portray the special events as well as the routine of everyday life. They show a variety and richness that exemplify the character of Hays, both then and now.

Mount Vernon Revisited

9781467121132

$24.99

The Mount Vernon community in Fairfax County, Virginia, draws its name from George Washington's home overlooking the Potomac River. Washington acquired the house and plantation in 1754 and lived there in peace and war until his 1799 death. Since then, however, the area's 340-year history has gained breadth and texture beyond Washington's personal heritage. In the 1840s and 1850s, forty Quaker families moved to Mount Vernon and revitalized area agriculture and commerce. The Mount Vernon Ladies' Association bought the mansion and 200 acres from Washington's great-grandnephew in 1858 and continues to preserve the historic landmark to this day. The development of Route 1 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway in the 20th century contributed to today's economic development and growth in the Mount Vernon area. Neighborhoods and sites along the Potomac River are rife with history, including landmarks like the Woodlawn Plantation, Gum Springs, Pohick Church, Fort Belvoir, and Gunston Hall.

Jacksonville

9781467113533

$24.99

Known as the "Gem of the Hills," Jacksonville is situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. After Andrew Jackson's victory over the Creek Indians in 1813-1814 and his negotiation of a treaty with the Creeks in 1832, this land was available for purchase from the Creek Indians as well as the US government. Several buildings on the town's central square predate the Civil War, and numerous antebellum houses and churches remain. Famous Civil War figures, including John Pelham and Gens. William and John Forney, came from Jacksonville. During the 20th century, a large cotton mill provided employment for the town's citizens and the starving sharecroppers from the surrounding mountains. What began as the State Normal School evolved into what is now Jacksonville State University.

Bandon

9780738596617

$24.99

Named for a founding settler's beloved Irish hometown, Bandon is one of the most picturesque cities on the Oregon coast, located where the smooth and deep waters of the Coquille River meet the Pacific Ocean. Bandon rose to commercial prominence as an exporter of lumber, minerals, agriculture, and salmon and at one time was the busiest seaport between San Francisco and Portland. Fires in 1914 and 1936 devastated the landscape, but Bandon quickly rebuilt and has never lost its reputation as a restorative scenic destination and vital place to live and work. Today, Bandon and the Coquille Valley have a thriving and diverse economy, prized for their cranberries and ranch and dairy products, known for the excellence of their fishing and scenic outdoor recreation, and celebrated as home of the world-renowned Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

Carolina Tractor & Equipment Company

9781467120692

$24.99

Founded on honesty, hard work, conservative management, and family commitment, Carolina Tractor & Equipment Company was established in 1926 by L.M. Weisiger. "Mr. Les," as he was known, became an engineer for the South Carolina State Highway Department after serving in the US Army during World War I. To meet the growing demand for new roads during the mid-1920s, he formed Weisiger Paving Company and later, in 1930, purchased the controlling interest of Carolina Tractor. Under his leadership, Carolina Tractor & Equipment Company experienced great success and growth. Weathering the Depression and expanding across the state of North Carolina, the company opened additional offices in Asheville, Charlotte, Hickory, and Greensboro. In 1965, Mr. Les turned the company over to his son, Ed I. Weisiger Sr. Mr. Les chaired the company board until his death in 1980; his wife, Katharine, then took over. True to its historical roots, Carolina Tractor & Equipment Company remains a local, family-owned company aligned with the interests of the customers it serves throughout North Carolina.

Albemarle

9780738516967

$24.99

Named after Gen. George Monck, one of the Lord Proprietors of Carolina,Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, located amidst the rolling hills of the North Carolina Piedmont. The influential Hearne family donated 51 acres to the first Commissioners of Stanly County and Albemarle was incorporated in 1857. At its founding, Albemarle had a Methodist church and two saloons. With the onslaught of the Civil War, approximately 500 local men left to fight for the Confederate cause. After the austere post-war years, the economy grew with the coming of the railroad to Albemarle in the 1890s. The railroad initiated an industrial boom, bringing such companies as Efird and Wiscassett Mills, Lillian Knitting Mills, Allen Clothing Store, and Palmer Stone Works. This influx of industry fostered many socially prominent families who had house parties, social clubs, and philanthropic organizations. There is a wealth of local history to explore in Albemarle.

Wakeman and Florence Townships

9780738593531

$24.99

Wakeman and Florence Townships began with the American Revolution. The federal government set aside land in Ohio for people from Connecticut whose lands were destroyed by the war. These "fire sufferers" were granted land tracts in the Western Reserve area known as the Firelands. People industrious or brave enough to travel to the untamed wilderness of Ohio in the early 1800s must have been captivated by the fertile farmland, vegetation, and peaceful river that flowed through the area. The Village of Wakeman was founded in 1817 and still rests in a beautiful location along the Vermilion River. The unincorporated village of Birmingham, in Florence Township, is also located on the Vermilion River. Farming, community, and the enjoyment of the scenery are still important parts of life in Wakeman and Florence Townships.

Pleasantville

9780738597591

$24.99

The history of scenic Pleasantville is a rich patriotic fabric woven with the arrival of the first tenant farmers and laborers during Dutch Manor rule.

During the Revolutionary War, local militias were critical in the capture of British spy Maj. John Andre. The construction of the railroad in 1846 opened new markets for farmers and attracted many New York City professionals wanting an idyllic countryside family setting. It also initiated the tradition of the daily commuter. In 1908, the wealthy Manville family moved to the village, and the 1928 wedding of their daughter to the Count Folke Bernadotte of Sweden was a major international social event. That same year, Dewitt Wallace and his wife, Lila, moved to Pleasantville to launch Reader's Digest. Within 20 years, the ""Little Magazine"" would grow to 30 editions in 14 languages with a global circulation of 28 million every month. Throughout the years, the one thread that appears in this remarkable village from start to finish is a kind tradition of charity.

Assyrians in Chicago

9780738519081

$24.99

The pictorial history of Assyrian immigration to Chicago that encompasses more than 100 years.

The first Assyrian pioneers came to the United States in the late 1800s. Eventually, by the turn of the century, they began to reside in Chicago. Following several waves of persecution in their homeland, these indigenous people of Mesopotamia continued to migrate to America, and now the largest concentration of them reside in Chicago.

Through the medium of historic photographs, this book captures the evolution of the Assyrian community of Chicago from the late 1800s to the present day. These pages bring to life the people, events, and industries that helped to shape and transform this vibrant ethnic community in Chicago. With more than 200 vintage images, Assyrians in Chicagoincludes photographs from the collection of the Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation.

This book depicts the many faces of the Assyrian American in various facets of American life interwoven with traditions from their homeland.

Amarillo's Historic Wolflin District

9780738579160

$24.99

In September 1887, J. T. Berry bought 640 acres of school land from the State of Texas. Several years earlier, this raw section of prairie had been home to buffalo herds and the Kiowa and Comanche Nations. Berry could not have known that this land would one day become home to cattle barons, oil and gas pioneers, and a U.S. ambassador. When Charles Oldham Wolflin married Alpha Eunice McVean a decade later and acquired that same section of land, he never dreamed that his son would develop that land from a dairy farm into a premier residential development. Today the Wolflin Historic District is a vibrant, lush neighborhood with tree-lined brick streets and stately houses. It is home to several thousand residents, including descendants of pioneer families, modern-day professionals, and public servants who contribute to the arts, are involved in philanthropy, and are active in community service.

Meigs County

9781467111348

$24.99

For nearly two centuries, Meigs County has occupied the near-center of the Buckeye State's frontage on the beautiful Ohio River. After British and German pioneer farmers initially settled the area, the founding fathers of Meigs County took advantage of river commerce and developed an industrial base by mining for salt and coal, which found markets downstream. In the 1880s, when railroads crossed the county, Hobson Yards and Hobson provided employment for hundreds of "Iron Horse" workers. With the demise of both steam locomotives and the agrarian economy, Meigs languished for a time until a 1970s coal revival ushered in three decades of renewed growth. Through prosperity and hard times, Meigs Countians in river communities and hilly hinterlands have fostered camaraderie by demonstrating pride in their schools, churches, athletic teams, and organizations.

Around San Antonio

9780738503110

$24.99

Around San Antonio provides readers with an incisive history, not only of the city itself--its missions, festive traditions, schools, military bases--but also of the surrounding Hill Country and ranches. Covering a time span from the early 1900s to the 1960s, this book provides a concise background of local folklore and traditions to visitors and other interested persons who wish to gain a deeper insight and appreciation of San Antonio and the surrounding area.

Eastern Lapeer County

9781467111393

$24.99

The Northwest Territory opened Michigan's wilderness and what later became Lapeer County and its first settlement, Almont. Through a dense forest, thick with undergrowth and quagmire, these determined settlers fought the primitive frontier and their own fears. Today, the sounds of church bells ring out across the hills, whispering of the soldiers, pioneers, and Native Americans of yore, of their heartache, hardships, and joy. Like an old-fashioned quilt, their threads of courage, fortitude, and unwavering Christian beliefs wove a colorful picture through the years. Settlers and Native Americans found a commonality trading their wares, working and recreating together. Whether it is the minister doing his master's work, the bounty hunters seeking out runaway slaves and abolitionists of the Underground Railroad, or the wealthy tycoons making their fortunes during the railroad era, their stories are within the pages of this book. Here, strangers are greeted country style, as the panoramic view of Eastern Lapeer County comes alive with history, heritage, and hospitality.

Marion County

9780738550596

$24.99

Located in north-central Ohio, Marion County is comprised of 15 townships that are situated across a variety of terrains ranging from gently rolling hills
and streams to broad prairies in the northern portion of the county. As the county seat of government, the city of Marion matured into a bustling center of industry and commerce, and the outlying villages of Caledonia, Clairdon, LaRue, Morral, Prospect, and Waldo provided nearby residents with services and community interaction closer to their rural homes. LaRue holds the distinction of being the smallest community ever awarded a National Football League franchise--the Oorang Indians, captained by Olympian Jim Thorpe. An
important rail center, the city of Marion also welcomed the world in 1920 when Warren G. Harding conducted his front porch campaign from his home on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Casper's Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps

9781467129084

$23.99

The Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps was founded in Casper, Wyoming, in November 1957. It was the dream of one man, Jim Jones. He believed that any kid who wanted to march with the Troopers should be afforded the chance. In 10 years, Jones took kids from Casper who had never marched before and turned them into national champions. The Troopers have played for celebrities and presidents, performed at football games and Disneyland, and marched in parades from California to New York. Drum and bugle corps have changed dramatically in the last 60 years, and the Troopers have as well. Today, the Troopers are an elite group of young people from across the country and all over the world, and they compete in Drum Corps International's World Class division.

Allegheny City

9780738555003

$24.99

Documenting the short but remarkable history of Allegheny City.

Allegheny Town was established in 1784 by order of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania. By 1840, the tiny wilderness community had grown in size and population to be incorporated as Allegheny City. Throughout the 19th century, Allegheny City became home to immigrants from many European countries who found work in the city's expanding commercial and industrial firms, as well as prominent Americans such as Andrew Carnegie, Samuel P. Langley, Mary Cassatt, George Ferris, and Mary Roberts Rinehart.

The citizens of Allegheny City's many neighborhoods took great pride in their city's heritage, schools, parks, and congregations. On January 1, 1907, Allegheny City was the third-largest city in Pennsylvania. By the end of that year, however, the city was an autonomous municipality and no longer existed as a result of an annexation by Pittsburgh, its sister city across the river.

Encino

9780738569918

$24.99

The San Fernando Valley area that became the modern city of Encino has gone through a surprisingly international sequence of ownership, beginning with Native American tribes, then the Spanish and Californios, followed by the French, Basques, and Americans. In the post-World War II boom, Encino became an affluent enclave of those who portrayed all of the above on the screen: Hollywood movie and television stars. Encino originated around an artesian spring that served for several thousand years as the gathering place of three tribes: the Fernandeño, Tongva, and Chumash. This spring, which was documented in Fr. Juan Crespi's diary during the Portola Expedition in 1769, today still provides water within the grounds of Los Encinos State Historic Park. El encino is Spanish for "the oak," and the area was so named for the vast panorama of oak groves covering it.

Mesquite and the Virgin Valley

9780738580722

$24.99

The lower Virgin River basin is located about 10 miles south of the border junction between what is now Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Early explorers told of blistering heat, disease-carrying insects, and scarce, evil-tasting water. But in 1877, the valley offered a haven to a small group of Mormon families who sought to live and practice their religious convictions, settling in Bunkerville on the south side of the Virgin River. On the north side, the struggle to establish Mesquite started in 1880. The third attempt in 1894 was successful after years of merciless floods. Residents have survived a hostile environment, geographic isolation, political gerrymandering, and in the middle of the last century, dangerous radiation fallout from atomic testing. Deep sand roads have given way to a bustling interstate highway, and the area has become a golf and gaming destination. After incorporation in 1984, Mesquite experienced a boom and has been named the fastest growing city of its size in the United States.

Sutherlin

9780738582047

$24.99

Originally called Camas Swale, Sutherlin was incorporated on June 24, 1911, and renamed for Fendel Sutherlin at the behest of his daughter, Anne Sutherlin Waite. What started as an agricultural community of orchard homesites later transitioned into a timber boomtown during World War II. Although the Sutherlin valley had its share of visionaries, most of its people were basic, hardworking folks who persevered despite the roadblocks in their way. They survived floods, fires, destruction of the timber industry by the spotted owl conflict, wholesale unemployment, and the 1989 shutdown of the city for lack of funds. Today's residents are also hardy people, even the newer senior citizens who, in great numbers, are making the town their retirement home.

Summerville

9780738587448

$24.99

Summerville's original motto, Sacra Pinus Esto, "The Pine is Sacred," hints at how serious the founders were about protecting their towering indigenous pines. Summerville owes its settlement--and early 20th-century development as an international tourism destination--to the fragrant cool air provided by the shade of the grand pines. Settled in the late 1600s by plantation owners along the Ashley River as an escape from summer heat, Summerville later became a retreat from cold northern winters. Today the town is known for its annual Flowertown Festival. The new town slogan, "The Flower Town in the Pines," is a friendlier version of the first, combining healthy respect for the ancient pines with love for the multicolored blossoms that appear anew each spring. The village is a combination of small town and bustling suburb, with plenty of Southern history to explore.

Overton Park

9780738516943

$24.99

Overton Park in Memphis, Tennessee, is a gem in the midst of a sprawling Southern city. In 1900, as Memphis emerged from bankruptcy and yellow fever epidemics, the Progressive movement encouraged Memphians to rely on the government for a better quality of life. The Memphis Park Commission, chartered that year, purchased 342 acres of land at the eastern edge of the city. Landowner Overton Lea of Nashville earned $110,000 from the sale. George Kessler was hired to build Overton Park, and the intervening years saw such amenities as the city's first zoo, the Brooks Museum of Art, the Overton Park Shell (the site of Elvis Presley's first public performance), Memphis College of Art, war memorials, and hiking trails through the world's only old-growth forest in an urban setting.