Images of America

The area that would become modern Glennville was first opened to settlement in 1773. In the early decades of the 19th century, settlers converged around the intersection of Hencart Road and Reidsville-Johnston's Station Road. The community that grew around this intersection came to be known as Philadelphia--a name it would hold until 1889, when the village's first post office was established. The village was then renamed after a prominent schoolteacher and minister, Glenn Thompson, who was instrumental in securing the post office for the village. Glennville was incorporated as a town in 1894 and continued to grow remarkably through the coming decades until it became the commercial and agricultural hub of Tattnall County.

This pictorial history of Lake Okeechobee illustrates the people, places, and events that have shaped the area's cultural and natural history.

From the Calusa Indians to the travelers who used boats for transport in the early 1900s and up to the prosperous farms and cattle ranches of today, the Everglades has evolved into a mecca for fishing, birding, and hiking. The smell of orange blossoms entices the settler to an untamed land where bears, deer, and snakes still inhabit the wilderness and where alligator hunting and fishing are still popular sports. Lake Okeechobee is 110 miles around from Pahokee to Canal Point, Okeechobee, Lakeport, Moore Haven, Clewiston, South Bay, and Belle Glade. To cross Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf, a boat starts in Stuart and ends at Port Mayaca, crossing Lake Okeechobee to the Moore Haven lock and out the Caloosahatchee River past Lake Hicpochee and west to Fort Myers. Around Lake Okeechobee presents images from the Clewiston Museum, Lawrence E. Will Museum, state archives, and private collections, painting a history of the boom and bust, the boaters and farmers, and the cattlemen and ranchers who have settled and raised their families here.

Images of America: Garrard County in World War II depicts the citizens of a small, rural central Kentucky county who served their nation in war-torn areas worldwide and on the home front. Images courtesy of veterans and their families show the sacrifices made and honor those who served. With photographs of all branches of the armed services, the county's war story is told in representative vignettes at numerous fronts. Through interviews, news accounts, and letters, many veterans' stories of courage, humor, and despair come to life. Here at home, patriotic efforts began in 1940 when school children made "bundles for Britain" and continued throughout the war years with residents sacrificing at home to spend every available dime on war bonds. In fact, in 1943, Garrard Countians bought more bonds per capita than citizens in any other Kentucky county. To reward their patriotism and sacrifice, in March 1945, the government commissioned the USS Garrard, an attack transport ship. A member of the crew donated to the county's historical society photos of the ship and his diary. Survivors of the USS Garrard held a reunion here in 2002.

The City of Hueytown was incorporated on May 6, 1960. Since then, city officials, past and present, have provided excellent laws and codes that offer a well-designed city for its citizens. Native Americans were the first to settle along Valley Creek, while the following prominent names helped develop and establish the area: the Huey, Waldrop, Salter, Knight, Dabbs, Parsons, Vines, Crooks, and Robertson families. The Woodward Iron Company was the first major employer, and the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company, later called United Steel Company, also provided jobs and security for many citizens. A group of famous NASCAR race car drivers from Hueytown, "The Alabama Gang," helped create an interest in racing. In addition, Hueytown has had many devoted educators who staffed the area's schools and encouraged students to strive for the best.

Rediscover the rich heritage of Little Rock through its lost architectural treasures as told by Ray Hanley, a lifelong Arkansan and resident of Little Rock.

Little Rock is a sprawling city of about 200,000 at the center of a metropolitan area of more than 500,000 people, with many residing in bedroom communities in adjoining counties. Arkansas's capital city is much like the rest of Middle America with its outlying suburbs, gated communities, and shopping centers miles from the historic core. A century ago, however, Little Rock was markedly different and served a population of fewer than 50,000. The majority of citizens lived within blocks of the town center and did business downtown along rows of shops that, in many cases, dated to the late 1800s. Images of America: Lost Little Rock uses vintage photographs to reflect upon earlier times and the rich retail landscape that once filled the town. By exploring the legacies of buildings that have since been demolished, repurposed, or destroyed by fire, these images provide a sense of Little Rock's lesser-known heritage.

The town of Covington has had a unique and varied history, due in large part to its location between the Bogue Falaya River and the pine forests of St. Tammany Parish. The city serves as the parish seat and something of a de facto capital of the Ozone Belt, an area of South Louisiana characterized by clean air, flowing streams, and verdant woodlands. Early settlers established themselves in the area, producing pine products and bricks, and Covington soon developed a reputation as a retreat from epidemics of disease, as well as from the rigors of city life. Covington has long shipped goods to the cities across Lake Ponchartrain, and those cities in turn have sent their people to Covington to vacation, relax, and revel in its beauty.

Take a fascinating journey through the history of Dyersburg, Tennessee with more than 200 vintage photographs and anecdotes from the locals who experienced it.

In the early 1800s, West Tennessee was wild country, covered with dense hardwood forests and rich soil, with clear rivers and creeks winding through. In 1818, a final treaty was signed with the Native American tribes in the area, bringing white settlers from East Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.

In 1825, the town of Dyersburg was laid out and quickly began to thrive. By 1911, the present courthouse was completed, anchoring a classic Southern town square that now belongs to the National Register of Historic Places. Just a few months before the historic crash of the stock market in 1929, Dyersburg became the site of a cotton mill transplanted from Oswego, New York. Nearby, the mill built about 100 small houses for its workers, and this neighborhood became Milltown, a name that still shines in residents' memories.

The Dyer County Historical Societyhas offered the best of its photo collection, along with images from the Tennessee State Library and Archives, for Images of America: Dyersburg. In addition, the warm-hearted residents of Dyersburg have supplied photographs from their personal albums.

Charleston Jazz sets out to reveal the rich, untold story of the evolution of American jazz in one of its major cradles: Charleston, South Carolina. The text and images show that what happened on the Gullah coast of South Carolina in terms of history, culture, and entertainment had a huge impact on jazz as we know it today. By all accounts, jazz is America's classical music. It now stands at the dawn of its second century and is poised to take its place as one of the more meaningful cultural phenomena ever to come along. Since Charleston was the gateway for enslaved Africans into the United States, it is no wonder that this uniquely beautiful place produced key creators of what many believe to be this country's most important influence on world culture. An international Charleston diaspora of jazz musicians attests to the fact that the likes of Freddie Green, William "Cat" Anderson, and Edmund Thornton Jenkins spread the Charleston style everywhere. Charleston jazz is one of the last great unknown stories in American history.

Boynton Beach, located on South Florida's Atlantic coast, is known as the "Gateway to the Gulf Stream." Ernest Hemingway once called these great ocean currents the last wild country left. Fishermen who study navigational charts understand that Boynton Beach is unique as the closest community to the Gulf Stream. Just minutes from the Boynton Inlet, water reaches a depth of 800 feet. Maj. Nathan Boynton came to the area in 1894, built a hotel, and envisioned a prosperous future for the idyllic village. Today Boynton Beach celebrates its diverse population, ideal location, and a rich and fascinating history that includes Henry Flagler's railroad, land booms, hurricanes, shipwrecks, and steadfast farmers.

During the month of April, the residents of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, and Orange Counties converge on the city of Charlottesville to celebrate the beauty of Central Virginia and honor the state flower. Beginning in 1950 as the Apple Harvest Festival, the festival took on its current name, the Charlottesville Dogwood Festival, in 1958. Each year, Charlottesville comes alive not only with the blooms and blossoms of spring, but with fireworks, amusement rides, and a host of local royalty. The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains and fall foliage as well as breathtaking springs and some of the nation's oldest and most prestigious plantations make this area one of the most popular places to visit in the South. The Charlottesville Dogwood Festival takes pride in being a long-standing part of an area rich in tradition and heritage.

Uncover the history of Old Butler, Tennessee in this pictorial history recounted by authors Michael and Lanette Depew.

In 1820, Ezekial ""Zeke"" Smith built a gristmill on the bank of Roan Creek, forming the community known as Smith Hill. Following the Civil War, it was renamed Butler in honor of Col. Roderick Random Butler. Much of the city's early development can be attributed to the establishment of the Aenon Seminary in 1871 and the advent of the Virginia and South Western Railroad, which provided transportation for residents and the developing logging industry. In 1933, the scenic landscape of the Watauga Valley was altered forever when the Tennessee Valley Authority was created by Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation. TVA provided electric power for the state and controlled the flooding of the rivers in the region. In December 1948, the gates of the Watauga Dam were closed and water began to fill the Watauga Reservoir until Butler, Tennessee, was laid to rest at the bottom of Watauga Lake. The residents of Butler and the surrounding communities were forced to relinquish, demolish, or relocate more than 125 homes and 50 businesses.

With its multitude of diverse heritage and various successful industries, Iberia Parish of Louisiana is the true American melting pot.

In the mid-1700s, the French explored the area that is now Iberia Parish, and by 1765, many Acadians had arrived, and the Spanish settled along the Bayou Teche in 1779. They named the area Neuva Iberia after the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. Though sugarcane plantations along Bayou Teche attracted English and American settlers, along with their enslaved laborers, by the mid-19th century, French had become the dominant language of the area. By the end of Reconstruction, distinctions between Acadians and neighboring groups had blurred, giving rise to a new people--the Cajuns. Today, Iberians stay true to the agrarian roots, and Iberia Parish is known as the hottest (tabasco), sweetest (sugarcane), oiliest (oil drilling), and saltiest (salt mines) place on Earth.

Because of its rich coal heritage and breathtaking scenery, many regard Wyoming County as the hidden gem of southern West Virginia. The county's vibrant history began with Native Americans, whom many believe left behind the petroglyphs that attract national attention, and continued to its early residents, who farmed and flourished in the logging industry. In 1906, when the Deepwater Railroad (later the Virginian) came to the town of Mullens, Wyoming County's role as a provider of the nation's natural resources was strengthened. By the 1920s, the county was one of West Virginia's foremost coal-producing counties; it maintains that position today. In addition to its integral part in resource exportation, Wyoming County is legendary for its sports scene. Such great players and coaches as Curt Warner, star running back of Penn State and the Seattle Seahawks; Mike D'Antonio, head coach of the Phoenix Suns; and Joe Pendry, assistant coach of the Houston Texans, got their start in Wyoming County. In recent years, this area has been best known for its recreational opportunities. Twin Falls State Park and R. D. Bailey Lake attract thousands of tourists annually, and the Coal Heritage Trail gives residents and visitors alike a chance to see how coal influenced the growth of the region.

Hampton County was carved from Beaufort County during the turmoil of Reconstruction and named for Gov. Wade Hampton, who personally laid the cornerstone for the county courthouse in 1878. The county's rich soil, abundant rivers, and lush pine forests make it a paradise for farmers and sportsmen. Locally manufactured products from Plywoods-Plastics Corporation were used on World War II battlefields, in Navy atomic submarines, and even in NASA space missions. The Hampton County Watermelon Festival, which has been held annually since 1939, is the state's oldest continuing festival, and it boasts the longest parade: 2.4 miles that encompasses two towns. The vintage photographic collection of Hampton County captivates readers with the history, hard work, natural beauty, and Southern charm of this Lowcountry community.

One of Charlotte's early streetcar suburbs, the Plaza-Midwood neighborhood epitomizes the New South vision of Charlotte. Its history reflects the growing of the New South and the nation as a whole. Plaza-Midwood, known for its architectural and social diversity, has been through the years a proposed enclave for Charlotte's New South elite, an "at risk" inner city area, and ultimately an urban success story. Plaza-Midwood's current prosperity can be attributed to the strength and vision of its "citizens," who continue to preserve the character and history of their community. Plaza-Midwood owes its survival to a dedicated neighborhood organization. Through their efforts, much of the area has been declared an historic district.

Known as the "Winter Capital of Harness Racing," Pompano Park has provided the only nighttime standardbred harness competition in Florida since its 1964 inaugural season. Prominent Kentucky horseman Frederick Van Lennep and his wife, Frances Dodge Van Lennep, built a $5.5-million track on the property of a failed 1926 thoroughbred track in Pompano Beach. Pompano Park has since hosted leading trainers, drivers, and champion horses, including Hall of Famers Stanley Dancer, Bill Haughton, and Delvin Miller and current leading drivers Bruce Ranger and Wally Hennessey. It also has been a mecca for celebrities who have enjoyed the racing action and entertainment.

Tucked away in southern Greenville County and surrounding the Reedy River, Fork Shoals, one of the county's first settlements, is a region that has been witness to an almost forgotten but proud history. Ancient artifacts, most notably a Clovis point, have been unearthed from these Cherokee hunting grounds, and the only Revolutionary War battle in Greenville County was fought nearby. In the late 1700s, a wave of settlers moved to the vicinity, establishing farms and plantations, schools and churches, and shops and mills. Fork Shoals School was one of the first accredited rural high schools in the state, and several of the churches are the oldest of their denomination in the county. Over time, Fork Shoals became unique for farming and textiles, with many individuals working at both. In these pages, the reader will learn about silk growing, early electricity, local communication systems, and textile ball teams and enjoy anecdotes about special people and places while poring over photographs that tell the story of Fork Shoals.

Hiltons is located in the southwest corner of Virginia and was named for the Reverend Samuel Hilton, who moved to the region from North Carolina in 1795. In the 1880s, Hiltons became a vital link for goods being transported both to and from the region when the railroad was constructed from Bristol to Appalachia. U.S. Highway 58 winds through Hiltons to Virginia Beach, providing many miles of scenic travel on what was, for many years, an important transportation route. The Hiltons area is blessed with natural beauty, including the scenic Clinch Mountains, a part of the Appalachian chain, and the lazy flowing north fork of the Holston River. Hiltons is home to the world-renowned Carter family of country music fame and is the location of the Carter Family Museum and Fold, which continues to provide old-time country music entertainment.