Yaphank

9780738592954

$24.99

Known for its sawmills and gristmills, Yaphank was established in 1726 on the banks of the Carmans River on Long Island. Called Millville until 1844, it was then named Yaphank, "bank of the river." Its two lakes mark the boundaries of the historic district, with Main Street winding between them. Though the mills are long gone, many of the period homes from the 18th and 19th centuries remain, illustrating the history of the village and those who lived there. From the early days of the American Revolution, patriots marched on the Tallmadge Trail, and later, its young men went to fight for the Union cause in the Civil War. In 1871, Suffolk County's first almshouse was built to take care of the less fortunate. As World War I rumblings were heard, nearby Camp Upton-- where Irving Berlin wrote the musical Yip, Yip, Yaphank--drew thousands of soldiers.

Mattituck and Laurel

9780738599151

$24.99

Mattituck and Laurel presents a fascinating glimpse into the historic people and businesses that shaped these two iconic hamlets on the North Fork of Long Island.

The small rural villages of Mattituck and Laurel remained relatively unchanged for more than 100 years until the railroad arrived in 1844. The Long Island Rail Road launched Mattituck-Laurel into a modern era of material progress, where business flourished and the area became a desirable location for summer visitors from New York City. The railroad station stood at the center of commerce and industry. Immigrants arrived and embarked upon new enterprises alongside the already thriving small shops and businesses. During the second half of the 19th century, Mattituck was home to a pickling factory, canning factory, large-scale creamery, and successful fertilizer business.

Shinnecock Indian Nation

9781467123402

$24.99

The history of the "People of the Shore" detailed in Shinnecock Indian Nation.

The Shinnecock have resided along the shores of eastern Long Island for more than 10,000 years. These hunter-gatherers were also skilled whalers who first tackled the Atlantic in their dugout canoes and later became highly regarded crew members on 19th-century whaling ships that sailed the globe. The Shinnecock were also noted wampum makers, using the northern quahog hard-shelled clam and whelk shells to craft some of the finest-quality wampum beads to be found anywhere along the eastern seaboard. Since the first tall ships sailed into the local waters in the 1500s, new settlers and shifty land deals have diminished the ancestral territory of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Despite overwhelming odds, however, and in the midst of immense privilege and wealth of their Hamptons neighbors, the Shinnecock remain. They are a federally recognized tribe with more than 1,500 enrolled members and are governed by a seven-member council of trustees.

Clinton County

9781467121101

$24.99

Take a fascinating journey through the history of Clinton County, New York with more than 200 vintage photographs and anecdotes from the locals who experienced it.

Situated south of Montreal and north of the Adirondacks, Clinton County boasts beautiful lake and mountain vistas.

Residents of the county, through 13 history museums and historical associations, celebrate their heritage, taking particular care to note early settlers who came south from Canada and north from the capital region. The county's history includes a long military tradition with a citizen's military training camp and Plattsburgh Air Force Base; an active industrial culture that started with iron ore production and continued with the making of various consumer products, such as automobiles, boats, train cars, and paper products; and a vibrant agricultural heritage based on dairy farming, apple orchards, and maple syrup production. Tourism joined industry and agriculture as a significant economic factor in the county's life.

Anastasia L. Pratt is a mentor at SUNY Empire State College and the Clinton County historian. Using images from the historian's office and from various local collections, she chose postcards that illustrate the county's varied work and home life, telling the story of a county that is incredibly interested and invested in its history.

Ticonderoga

9780738599090

$24.99

Located entirely within the Adirondack Park, Ticonderoga has long been known for its rich natural resources like lumber from its vast wooded areas and its graphite mines. During the town's infancy, settlers harnessed the powers of Lake George as it fell into Lake Champlain with a series of dams to allow the town to truly thrive. After Ticonderoga was connected by the Champlain canal to the south and the Chambly canal to the north, the town became an economic powerhouse that helped fuel the birth of a new nation. Ticonderoga captures the rich history of a community that was shaped by its millers, blacksmiths, and farmers. Today, Ticonderoga is a destination for tourists who flock to the area to enjoy the same resources that were originally used for survival and to visit its historic fort.

Around Liverpool

9781467123525

$24.99

Liverpool, on the shore of Onondaga Lake, was settled by John
Danforth and his family due to the natural brine springs near the lakeshore. The population of salt boilers quickly grew. The Oswego Canal opened in 1828, and the village was incorporated in 1830. German immigrants brought willow weaving to the village in the mid-1850s, and by the 1890s, Liverpool willow products were being shipped all over the nation. In the 20th century, as more lucrative work became available and the automobile ruled, the basket weavers gave way to factory workers, nurses, teachers, and engineers. Around Liverpool takes you on a tour of the unique history of Liverpool, with images of its salt boilers, weavers, firefighters, schoolchildren, churchgoers, ice boaters--the people and places that made the community.

Around Bronxville

9780738562223

$24.99

Around Bronxville brings to life more than one hundred years of carefully planned community and architectural development, including fine homes, apartments, houses of worship, and the once famous Hotel Gramatan that was demolished in 1972.

By the time the railroad arrived in 1844, the small rural community of Underhill's Crossing--soon to be renamed Bronxville--was already attracting prominent New York City families. Some came seeking permanent homes; others a summer retreat. Half a century later, believing that the future of their charming hamlet would be best served by organizing as a village, a handful of local taxpayers voted to incorporate. This community along the New York and Harlem Railroad, 15 miles from New York City, was about to become one of the most desirable residential suburbs in the metropolitan area. The book offers a visual tour of Bronxville's early ""downtown""; William Van Duzer Lawrence's art colony, Lawrence Park; and neighboring Lawrence Park West, the home of Sarah Lawrence College. Over 200 photographs, combined with explanatory text, recapture the ambiance of people, places, and events of a past era and offer a glimpse into the private lives of some of the community's more notable residents, such as Elizabeth Custer, widow of General Custer, and the families of Jerome Kern and Joseph P. Kennedy.

Around Hartwick

9781467123747

$24.99

Around Hartwick depicts the history of the rural Hartwick Township at the geographical heart of Otsego County, nestled along the Otego Valley between western hills and the Susquehanna River. Named for John Christopher Hartwick, an itinerant German preacher with the dream of a "New Jerusalem" church and school, the township became the site of the first Lutheran Theological Association in America. Abundant water sources powered large woolen, cotton, and paper mills in Clintonville, Toddsville, and South Hartwick. Fertile land produced farm crops, including a contribution to the highest yield of hops in the world. With extension of the electric trolley north through the Otego Valley to the Mohawk Valley, the Hartwick hamlet prospered as the site of railway headquarters, central carbarns, and the sole power source for this vital transportation link. With the advent of the mechanical age and changing economics, mills relocated, the railway ceased, and farm production declined. Today, the township enjoys renewed prosperity with the influence of history museums and baseball from nearby Cooperstown.

Troy's Little Italy Revisited

9781467123709

$24.99

A significant part of Troy's history, and that of its neighborhood, is the immigration of diverse ethnic groups. By 1900, the US Census reported 465 Italian-born residents in Troy, and in 1930, there were 2,000 Italian immigrants. From 1900 to the 1950s, Little Italy, bordering the central business district from Ferry Street to the Poestenkill and from Fourth Street to Prospect Park, was predominately an Italian or Italian American neighborhood. Among the close-knit families of Troy's Little Italy were import stores, 60 mom-and-pop shops, churches, schools, a community center, and a veterans' post, all of which were found within a 20-block radius. America's Little Italy neighborhoods became centers of ethnic culture and heritage. In the 1960s, urban renewal challenged Troy and other cities with mixed results. Today, there is resurgence in Troy, with plans to expand the city's central historic district to include most of Little Italy. In the meantime, empty nesters, artists, and young professionals are moving into the neighborhood as valuable community partners continue to support the efforts of the neighborhood group Troy Little Italy.

Staten Island Rapid Transit

9781467123389

$24.99

Staten Island's first railroad began in 1860 as a passenger line connecting towns along the island's eastern shore, with ferry service from Vanderbilt's Landing to Manhattan. The Staten Island Rapid Transit was a second line, built in 1885. During the 19th century, major eastern trunk railroads competed for the New York freight market. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) was a latecomer but saw opportunity with Staten Island in 1886, buying interest in both railroads. The B&O took control of the island's passenger service and turned it into a thriving commuter railroad with three branches and nearly 40 stations, forever changing transportation in the borough. Reaching Staten Island from Cranford, New Jersey, the B&O built a major freight yard at Arlington and a waterfront terminal at St. George. The railroad's customers ran the gamut from large industries like Procter & Gamble to small one-carload coal dealerships. By 1971, the cash-strapped B&O sold the passenger service to the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA), and by 1985, the B&O had left New York for good.

Exploring Gramercy Park and Union Square

9781626198548

$21.99

Created by Samuel Ruggles as a haven for wealthy New Yorkers, both Gramercy Park and Union Square have been among Manhattan's most desirable neighborhoods for more than 150 years. From writers and artists to powerful politicians, illustrious figures like O. Henry, Andy Warhol, Samuel Tilden and Joseph Kennedy have walked its streets. The National Arts Club and the Players Club attract patrons from around the city who are in search of a taste of grander times. Tourists flock to historic sites like the Theodore Roosevelt House, the Gramercy Park Historic District and the picturesque Union Square Park. Local tour guide Alfred Pommer and coauthor Joyce Pommer reveal the stories on the streets of the neighborhoods.

Exploring Gramercy Park and Union Square

Skiing in the Catskill Region

9781467120548

$24.99

Arriving by train to Phoenicia, New York, in the mid-1930s, downhill skiers first discovered the snowy trails of Simpson Ski Slope. Soon after, many Borscht Belt hotels were offering skiing and skating as ways to fill rooms during cold winter months when crowds thinned. In the high central Catskills, where abundant snowfall was a big draw, many abandoned rooming houses were commandeered to serve as base lodges for fledgling ski areas. In addition to farming and logging, skiing became an important industry to the area. People found steady employment in dozens of new areas sprouting all over the mountains. Downhill skiing is just part of the region's history. Ski jumping, racing, ski clubs, fashion, and colorful personalities were all part of the experience.

Camp Upton

9781467127530

$24.99

Camp Upton was one of 16 cantonments built to train soldiers quickly upon the United States' entry into World War I in 1917. The camp was located on nearly 20,000 acres of scrub pine forest on the eastern end of Long Island, New York. Later, it was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp and was rebuilt for use in World War II. It is now the site of Brookhaven National Laboratory. It was the home of the 77th "Liberty" Division, whose soldiers, many from the New York area, distinguished themselves in battle in the Argonne Forest in France near the end of the war. Its most famous soldier, Irving Berlin, wrote "God Bless America" and Yip Yip Yaphank, a "military mess," while training there.

Francis "Two Gun" Crowley’s Killings in New York City and Long Island

9781467144353

$21.99

On a May morning in 1931, Nassau County police officer Fred Hirsch was gunned down by the notorious New York City gangster Francis Crowley. Nicknamed "Two Gun" for tricking and murdering cops with a second loaded firearm, Crowley left a bloody trail from the Bronx to Long Island. He shot and wounded two men at a local dance hall and a New York City police detective and murdered one of Nassau County's finest. Eventually, he was tracked to a hideout in Manhattan, where a two-hour gun battle, including more than two hundred cops and ten thousand spectators, led to his capture. His murder spree involved thousands of law enforcement personnel, stole national media attention and cut across the New York metropolitan area. Author Jerry Aylward presents the murderous life of Francis "Two Gun" Crowley from the streets of New York to the electric chair in Sing Sing.

Francis "Two Gun" Crowley’s Killings in New York City and Long Island

State University of New York at Cobleskill

9781467123587

$24.99

As an alternative to high school for young men interested in agriculture, the State Agricultural and Technology College at Cobleskill opened the doors of its only building to a class of 10 in 1916. It was an experiment at the time, although now it would be part of New York's BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) system. Evolving over the years, it was first a postsecondary institute for men and women interested in agriculture, home economics, and teacher training; then it became a junior college offering a multitude of degrees, including not only those listed above but also business and liberal arts; and now, 100 years later, it is a comprehensive college offering baccalaureate as well as associate degrees. Today, the campus covers over 900 acres with 70 buildings.

State University of New York at Cobleskill

Lake Ronkonkoma

9781467123211

$24.99

The town of Lake Ronkonkoma began as a small farming community. By the 1870s, the lake's reputation as a vacation destination was spreading among wealthy New York City residents. The completion of the Long Island Motor Parkway in 1911 made the lake accessible to early automobile enthusiasts, and over time, as more could afford automobiles, the rich and poor alike flocked to its sparkling shores for swimming, boating, and fishing. In 1921, local businessman George C. Raynor created Raynor's Beach, the first in the lake's era of grand beach pavilions. By the mid-1920s, beach pavilions were located all around Lake Ronkonkoma's three miles of shoreline. Lake Ronkonkoma provides a view into the rich history of this unique community and its transformation to a bustling summer resort.

Roycroft Campus

9780738599069

$24.99

The history of the American Arts and Crafts movement is embodied in the Roycroft community. Founded by Elbert Green Hubbard, the Roycroft is more than just a National Historic Landmark in the charming village of East Aurora, New York. Roycroft's artisans and craftspersons ﬂourished from 1898 to 1938, producing some of America's best and most important crafts, furniture, and books. This visual history through postcards and motto cards produced by the Roycrofters' presses shares the story and philosophy of their movement. Here, the 1898 postcards featuring "the Characters of the place" and the years of the "Roycroft Renaissance" show the growth and continuity.

Black River Canal

9780738538136

$24.99

Black River Canal documents in images how a manmade river transformed a region. This upper New York State canal was an improbable engineering success. In 1825, DeWitt Clinton proposed construction of a canal that would link the Erie Canal at Rome with the Black River at Lyons Falls. The idea was well received, but the obstacles were great. The canal would have to run uphill. In the end, the 35-mile overland canal required a record 109 locks to negotiate a rise and fall of 1,079 feet. Construction was authorized in 1836, and against all odds, the Black River Canal was fully operational in 1855. The canal brought a measure of prosperity to an isolated region of the state and promoted development of a wood products industry that continues to this day.

Legendary Locals of Woodstock

9781467100670

$24.99

Located at the foot of Overlook Mountain and at the gateway to the Catskill Mountains, Woodstock has long been both a place and an idea calling to the individual spirit within those seeking a better life. That call was answered in the 18th and 19th centuries by settlers unafraid of hard work and sacrifice striving to carve a community and a living from the challenges of a rugged countryside. The same call was heard in the 20th century by artists, musicians, and free-thinking individuals who, drawing inspiration from Woodstock's natural landscape, fashioned a cultural climate unique in the history of small-town America. From political leaders such as Elias Hasbrouck, Albert Cashdollar, and Val Cadden to cultural visionaries such as Ralph Whitehead, Hervey White, and Albert Grossman to men and women like Mescal Hornbeck, John Pike, Dr. Norman Burg, and Sam Mercer, who worked to sustain Woodstock's spirit of community, Legendary Locals of Woodstock offers a unique reflection on the road Woodstock has traveled.

The Town of Tonawanda

9780738587172

$24.99

This remarkable photographic history of Federal Hill features images of the community from the late 1800s to the mid-1960s, chronicling the arrival of immigrants from many countries over the years.

During the thirty-four year period from 1898 to 1932, more than fifty thousand Italian immigrants arrived at the port of Providence. The majority of them settled on Federal Hill, the three-hundred-acre land mass that stands high above Rhode Island's capital city. Federal Hill is a rich community in many ways. Its hard-working and tenacious settlers started out with a deep and abiding faith in God. Their numerous accomplishments are evidenced today in the many thriving family-owned businesses and stunning architectural achievements so prevalent in the downtown area. Many people from around the state enter Federal Hill through the welcoming pine-cone arch for seasonal festivals or a night on the town. The vitality and hospitality of this historic area are truly cherished by many in the modern era.

Morris-Jumel Mansion

9781467123433

$24.99

Morris-Jumel Mansion is an engaging look at the history of
Manhattan's oldest residence. Built by Roger Morris in 1765 as a summer estate, it has truly been a witness to history throughout the last 250 years. Located in the upper Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights, the mansion sits on a large hill, with sweeping views of both the East and Hudson Rivers. George Washington strategically located his headquarters here during the fall of 1776, but the Jumels, who made the house their home from 1810 to 1895, left the most indelible mark. In 1904, the residence became a museum, thanks to the Daughters of the American Revolution, who saved the house and allowed it to grow with the changing neighborhood. Today, this landmark is a symbol of both the long history of the city and the contemporary face of its now diverse neighborhood.

New York City Police

9780738576367

$24.99

New York City, one of the world's premier urban centers, is also home to the world's most famous and storied municipal law enforcement service: the NYPD.

Policing in New York is as old as the city itself, although much has changed since the first Dutch rattle watch patrolled streets in the 1620s. Technological improvements, advancing professional standards, and historical moments like the 1898 consolidation of New York City and the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, have each profoundly changed the way New York City police officers do their jobs. Still, as New York City Police emphasizes, certain elements of ""the job"" remain true through the decades and centuries. Being a police officer in New York City has always involved a certain amount of danger, sacrifice, and public coordination.

Henderson Harbor and Henderson

9780738576855

$24.99

On Lake Ontario's eastern shore, surrounded by forested bluffs and deep, navigable water, Henderson Harbor and Henderson evolved into a fishing and boating paradise. The lucrative smallmouth black bass fishing attracted visitors and continues to draw fishermen to this day. Members of the National Electric Lamp Association enjoyed their encampments at Henderson Harbor so much in the early 1900s, they purchased an island that became the summer retreat for thousands of General Electric executives and employees. Lake Ontario's stormy weather required a rescue station on the sandy beach near Henderson Harbor and, during Prohibition, the Big Sandy Coast Guard captured some of the most notorious rumrunners on the lake. In Henderson, the Army's rifle and gunnery range became the private reserve for a beer baron and his son and is now a jewel of the New York State Park system. Henderson Harbor and Henderson chronicles the history and charm that has drawn residents and visitors alike to this area for decades.

Around Prattsburgh

9780738576923

$24.99

Jared Pratt and his wife first settled in the Prattsburgh area in 1800. In 1802, Capt. Joel Pratt, Jared Pratt's uncle, and William Root, of Albany, purchased the township from the Pulteney estate. The town was officially formed on April 12, 1813, and named after Captain Pratt. During Prattsburgh's peak, it was a thriving place, boasting such businesses as the J.H. Frost Wagon Shop, Mrs. Clark's Millinery, Crossman's Blacksmith Shop, and Clary's Cooper Shop. The number of established schoolhouses and churches in town is proof of how very important education and religion were to the early settlers. Even today, Prattsburgh's rich agricultural history is still evident. Prattsburgh's success gave rise to Wheeler, a town of industries such as Renchan's Mills, a hotel, school, and general store. The remainder of the Sir William Pulteney estate became the town of Pulteney--another thriving community in its day --home to a rickshaw factory, a rattan basket factory, and many vineyards.

Around Greene County and the Catskills

9780738563190

$24.99

This photographic history showcases Greene County, which is located between the ""Rhine of America"" and the scenic northern Catskill Mountains.

Greene County has long been a magnet for settlers, artists, writers, and travelers; it all began with Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River and was followed by the arrival of Dutch settlers. Its geographic location between the ""Rhine of America"" and the scenic northern Catskill Mountains contributes to Greene County's allure, as do the Great Algonquin Flint Mines, fascinating remnants of the area's prehistoric inhabitants, the Mohegans. Much of the content in Around Greene County and the Catskills reflects ""everyday living,"" a sampling of its architecture, people, and activities which reflect a sense of history and changing lifestyles. The inclusion of the Dutch Bronck houses of 1663 and 1738, a National Historic Landmark homestead complex, sets the tone of this visual history. From colonial times through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Greene County (like other New York counties) has been affected by national conditions; its economic base has changed and adjusted accordingly. Different ethnic groups who have chosen Greene County as their home have enhanced the area's rich cultural heritage.

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow

9780738557809

$24.99

Twenty-five miles north of New York City lie two scenic villages: Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. These villages, bordering the majestic Hudson River, are rich in the charm and mystery of their shared historic past.

From the era of Weckquaesgeek to the close of World War II, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow depicts scenes of area residents' mothers, fathers, grandparents, and ancestors at work, home, school, and play. Treasured images of Revolutionary War sites, the growing villages, and stately mansions and castles bring the past of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow to life. Also vividly brought to life is the location Washington Irving made famous with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Steamboats on the Hudson River

9780738574158

$24.99

The Hudson River was the cradle of American steamboating. While many people think of steamboats on inland rivers like the Mississippi, the type of steamboat that evolved on the Hudson was far more typical of those that operated throughout North America. From Robert Fulton's steamboat through the last steamer on the river almost 170 years later, these boats were an integral part of the life and commerce of the Hudson River valley. Whether it was a huge 400-foot side-wheeler, a small freight boat, excursion boats, or a ferry crossing, almost every river community was served by a steamboat.

Gloversville

9780738564265

$24.99

Fulton County historian Lewis G. Decker brings to life the history of Gloversville, New York, in this
unprecedented pictorial collection. The first book to be published about the city since 1853, Gloversville traces the people and places of this unique community from the beginnings of photography. Take a trip down memory lane to discover an earlier time in our nation's history. Named for its prominent industry, Gloversville's glove factories never shut down, even during the Depression. In the past, it was advertised that a young man could readily find an industrious wife in Gloversville; ladies were usually sought after to sew in the factories. Among the notable residents of old Gloversville is Samuel Goldfish, an immigrant who came to work in the leather industry before moving west; he changed his name to Goldwyn and formed Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios. Another former resident, Lucius Littauer, graduated from Harvard, was elected to Congress, and later served as an advisor to Teddy Roosevelt. Discover the many others
who shaped the town's history in this fascinating and
engaging pictorial collection.

Brooklyn in the 1920's

9780738590059

$24.99

Discover the people and places of Brooklyn from a decade of growth and prosperity in the 1920s.

Now home to approximately 2.5 million people, Brooklyn is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City. It was during the 1920s that Brooklyn experienced some monumental changes in the early motorized world of cars, trucks, buses, and trains. In this decade, Brooklyn saw the construction of the world's largest promenade, the Coney Island Boardwalk, as well as the construction of most of the homes that still exist in Brooklyn. The 1920s also brought Brooklyn's sewers and paved roads. Slowly but surely, farms and gardens began to vanish in the name of progress. Brooklyn became a refuge for many. It offered the opportunity for peaceful living in a growing urban society.

Travel back to the beginnings of a diverse community with a rich ethnic heritage and join author Eric Ierardi in this celebration of a unique American city with a fascinating past.Brooklyn in the 1920sis sure to appeal to both residents and newcomers and will serve as a valuable tool in teaching the history of Brooklyn to future generations.

Around Geneseo

9780738534961

$24.99

Geneseo, one of the loveliest and most historic villages in the Finger Lakes region, was founded just after the American Revolution. During its first century, it flourished as a rich agricultural center. In 1871, it became a college town with the establishment of what is today the State University of New York at Geneseo. Around Geneseo, with its exceptional collection of photographs-many never before published-captures the essence of the frontier settlement that blossomed into a center of government, learning, and culture. This exciting history includes not only Geneseo, the hub, but also the surrounding communities of Avon, Groveland, Leicester, Livonia, Mount Morris, and York.

Port Richmond

9780738572208

$24.99

Cornelius Vanderbilt, Aaron Burr, Faber Pencils, the atomic bomb, Paul Zindel, and David Johansen all have one thing in common: Port Richmond. Many Staten Islanders flocked to Richmond Avenue, known as the Fifth Avenue of Staten Island, to shop at Garber Brothers or at Tirone's Shoes or enjoy an ice-cream soda at Stechman's. The Ritz, Palace, and Empire Theaters hosted vaudeville shows, films, rock concerts, and roller-skating. More than a dozen places of worship have been founded in Port Richmond since the late 1600s, mirroring the community's ethnic diversity. Port Richmond traces the unique contributions of each new wave of immigrants to the neighborhood.

Energy & Light in Nineteenth-Century Western New York:

9781626193000

$21.99

When the Marquis de Lafayette came to Fredonia in 1825, he found the village illuminated by natural gas--the first such community in the world. While most Americans relied on candles for illumination, early settlers near Fredonia noticed bubbles that could be lighted rising from the bed of the Canadaway Creek and developed technology to collect enough to light the village. Another man, Dr. Francis Brewer, realized that the thick black substance could be converted to lamp oil, and it was suggested that if enough could be found, it could provide an inexpensive way to light the world. Join local author Douglas Houck as he tells the story of the first commercial developments of natural gas and petroleum products in the nineteenth century.

Energy & Light in Nineteenth-Century Western New York:

Around Central Islip

9780738562308

$24.99

Around Central Islip focuses on this diverse and unique community's history.

Around Central Islip focuses on a modern renaissance village that evolved through numerous and diverse cultures. It was a small English settlement of the 1800s when Come to Central Islip, Good Work, Good Pay was advertised in the newspapers in Ireland. This brought an influx of settlers from nearly every county in Ireland. The area became known as Little Ireland in America. At the turn of the century, Central Islip housed one of the largest psychiatric centers in the country. Village life centered around this establishment for many decades. Decentralization of the hospital in 1955 resulted in the abandonment of numerous buildings with a degenerative effect on the village; blighted neighborhoods became commonplace. The transformation brought about by the arrival of the New York Institute of Technology resulted in the community's revitalization and beautification. Today, Central Islip is a vibrant and dynamic community.

Cover image for Around Central Islip, isbn: 9780738562308

Saranac Lake

9781467121002

$24.99

The first settlers came to Saranac Lake beginning in 1819 to make a living from the forests of the Adirondacks. In the 1870s, wealthy city dwellers discovered the hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking available in these beautiful mountains, and Saranac Lake became the hub for local tourism. By 1900, Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau had established the fresh-air cure for tuberculosis, and Saranac Lake became America's "Pioneer Health Resort." A culture of excellent medical facilities, an active arts scene, and a great library and educational system combined with traditional Adirondack values to make Saranac Lake "the Little City of the Adirondacks," a special place to everyone who got to know it. Later in the 20th century, the focus shifted from health to scientific research, education, state government offices, and the more middle class tourist industry of the post-World War II era. This designated All-America City has retained that special character.

Eagle's Nest

9781467123327

$24.99

Designed and constructed by the eminent New York City architectural firm of Warren & Wetmore, Eagle's Nest estate is the easternmost Gold Coast mansion on Long Island's affluent North Shore. From 1910 to 1944, the palatial Spanish Revival estate was the summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II, great-grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt. Eagle's Nest hosted the most exclusive guests and intimate gatherings of Vanderbilt family members and close friends. Included among them were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, golfer Sam Snead, and the Tiffanys. Vanderbilt embarked on many of his legendary world voyages from this locale, along with a 50-person crew and a few fortunate invited passengers. During his travels, he collected natural history specimens and ethnographic artifacts from every corner of the earth. With the help of scientists and museum professionals, Vanderbilt created exhibits at Eagle's Nest to showcase his collections. "Willie K.," as he was known, bequeathed his estate and museum to the public, fulfilling his intended mission.