Images of America

Name: Red River Steamboats
Brand: Eric J. Brook
SKU: 9780738501680
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Discover the history of your hometown with Arcadia Publishing's best-selling Images of America History Book series, crafted by local authors. Visit landmarks like the Yellowstone National Park, the Biltmore Estate, or Alcatraz Island without ever leaving your backyard. Hike to the rural Angwin village on Howell Mountain, time-travel to Chicago’s 1893 World Fair, or experience sports history at Fenway Park. Through iconic images of America, these local history books open a window into yesterday for eager history lovers. [View all Images of America books]

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Red River Steamboats

$24.99

Forgotten Baton Rouge

Around Ebarb and the Toledo Bend

Rayne's People and Places

Recollections of Pierre Part and the Belle River

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Red River Steamboats

9780738501680

$24.99

In this captivating collection of vintage images, the history of navigation on the Red River unfolds.

Known by the French settlers of the eighteenth century as the Fleuve Rouge, the Red River boasts a fascinating history in Louisiana. It is the state's historic highway along which plantations were built, and upon which their wares went to the great markets of New Orleans and the rest of the world. Flowing some 1,300 miles through four states, the Red River is the eighth-longest river in the continental United States. Despite numerous disasters, regular navigation occurred on the river for over a century. Huge craft loaded with North Louisiana cotton plied the river between Shreveport and New Orleans, and packet steamers carried mail and passengers to dozens of stops along the river's path. The showboats traveling along the river brought a new form of entertainment to the cities and towns that lined its banks. Included in this volume are views spanning the Great Raft, the opening of the river to navigation and commerce, the role the river played in the Civil War, and the twilight of commercial steam navigation. The first photographic tribute to the river ever published, Red River Steamboats captures a bygone era in Louisiana's history.

Forgotten Baton Rouge

9781467114776

$29.99

Discover Baton Rouge's bygone days of booming growth and the influence of its renowned residents.

For nearly two centuries, Baton Rouge remained a sleepy little river town. Situated on the first bluffs of the Mississippi River north of the Gulf of Mexico, it was prime real estate for habitation. Images of America: Forgotten Baton Rouge collects a plethora of lost images of this city's greatest period of expansion: from the 1890s to the 1930s. This era began when Louisiana State University moved to the grounds of the old US Army arsenal, followed by a corporate decision from John D. Rockefeller to build a Standard Oil Company refinery at Baton Rouge. These historic decisions, coupled with the forward-thinking actions of bold businessmen and politicians like Robert A. Hart and Huey P. Long, changed the face of the city forever.

Scott

9780738590660

$24.99

Since its inception, Scott has grown from a small farming community to the second-largest city in Lafayette Parish. Early settlers provided land to the Louisiana Western Railroad Company for a new route to Texas that passed through Scott Station, named after a Mr. Scott associated with the railroad. The town's slogan, "Where the West Begins," is based on the different train fare charged to passengers headed beyond Scott to the West. The murder of merchant Martin Begnaud by the Blanc brothers was news that traveled from Scott to New Orleans to France. The railroad enabled the community to transport cotton, corn, sweet potatoes, and other produce across the country and to Canada. Today, several renowned musicians and artists call Scott home. The city, which is located on Interstate 10, combines small-town hospitality with a growing center of commerce.

Ruston

9780738505848

$24.99

In 1884, the Vicksburg, Shreveport & Pacific Railroad put a line across north Louisiana, and the town of Ruston was born. The first settlers came from nearby Vienna--literally bringing their homes with them--to establish a community that would become a major cotton shipping point and an educational center for the region. In this captivating study of Ruston's storied past, historic images shed light upon the town's beginnings, its enterprising leaders, and the institution for which it is best known, Louisiana Tech University.
The photographs within these pages reflect all aspects of life in Ruston, from the community's involvement during the war years to the businesses established by early residents, and from the building of the university to the influence of the railroad and the cotton industry. The collections of local photographers Bob Pfister, Colonel Marbury, John Green Davis, and Edwin "Red" Woodward are all featured in this unique pictorial retrospective; many of these rarely seen images came from a collection of glassplate negatives stored for over thirty years in shoeboxes in a backyard shed. Although some were forever lost to the forces of nature, what remains is a treasured glimpse of days gone by that will find a special place in the hearts of those who call Ruston home.

Imperial Calcasieu

9780738505817

$24.99

An area that was once defined and governed as one large parish, Imperial Calcasieu is now divided into five separate parishes: Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Beauregard, and Jefferson Davis. The common history shared by these communities is brought to life through vintage images in this fascinating collection of memories. Included in Imperial Calcasieu are photographs depicting the early railroads built in the area, the development of sulphur mining, the transporting of lumber along the Calcasieu River, the rich oil fields, and the rice industry that developed on the coastal prairies of Western Louisiana. This volume also recalls several memorable events, such as the hurricane of 1918 and the Great Lake Charles Fire of 1910. The pioneer settlers and community leaders who shaped the identity of Imperial Calcasieu are celebrated within these pages, and both their triumphs and setbacks will continue to teach and inspire future generations.

Vermilion Parish

9780738582245

$24.99

Vermilion Parish is a region with fascinating history and culture. From the settlement of the area--beginning as early as 1757, predominately by French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, and Acadian colonists and the native Attapakas people--Vermilion Parish has evolved to become recognized as "the most Cajun place on earth," as noted by its motto. Today it is still common to hear Cajun French spoken on the streets of its villages, towns, and hamlets. Vermilion Parish people are a lively multicultural blend marinated in history and infused with a unique joie de vivre. Cajuns make up a significant portion of its population and exert a huge impact on its culture. They are family-friendly, predominantly Catholic, and known far and wide for their lively Cajun music--as well as their spicy Cajun cuisine using local ingredients, such as okra, rice, pecans, seafood, and wild game.

Around Ebarb and the Toledo Bend

9780738544038

$24.99

The Ebarb and Toledo Bend area of Louisiana has a fascinating and colorful history.

Founded in 1716, the French Fort St. Jean Baptiste was the first settlement in the area, followed soon after by the Spanish Fort Los Adaes. Many have called this part of Louisiana home, including invading Spanish conquistadores, French trappers, and both Spanish and French missionaries. The area is also home to many Native American tribes who further contributed to the melting pot of customs, religions, food, and folklore that is so prevalent in the area's history.

Madison Parish

9780738515106

$24.99

Founded in 1838 and located in extreme northeastern Louisiana, Madison Parish has a rich and colorful history. It is the setting of Kate Stone's best-selling Civil War diary, Brokenburn, and played an important role during that era-Generals Grant, Sherman, and McClernan assembled their troops in Madison Parish months before their assault on Vicksburg. Sarah Breedlove, better known as Madam C.J. Walker, was born in Madison Parish and ultimately rose from a lowly washerwoman to the first black female millionaire in the United States. Images of America: Madison Parish, containing over 200 black-and-white images, highlights the history of this fascinating community through photographs, drawings, and maps. Included are Civil War scenes, the 1907 bear hunt by President Theodore Roosevelt, and numerous professional photographs of the disastrous 1927 flood that paralyzed the parish and surrounding areas for several months.

Minden

9780738505800

$24.99

Founded in 1835, Minden, Louisiana, quickly developed a reputation as a pioneering force in education and culture in the formerly untamed frontier of Northwestern Louisiana. The early settlers of Minden and their contributions to the rich history of the community are the subject of this engaging pictorial retrospective.
Included in this volume are rarely seen images of leaders of the antebellum era, such as John and Christopher Chaffe, and prominent figures from the Reconstruction period, such as John Sidney Killen, the state representative from Minden when it became the seat of the newly-created Webster Parish in 1871. Also included are photographs of Mayor Robert Floyd Kennon, twenty-five years before he became the governor of Louisiana; the three Webster Parish courthouses; and the Minden Male Academy and the Minden Female College, both constructed in the early 1850s. A series of photographs shows the 1916 post office under construction, in operation, and being replaced by the People's Bank and Trust. Rare images of the Minden Lumber Company, one of the country's largest before it was destroyed by a fire in 1918, and pictures of the devastating 1933 tornado are included as well.

Webster Parish

9780738506043

$24.99

Although Webster Parish was not founded until 1871, the settlement of the area began as early as 1818 in southern parts of the parish as well as in areas east of the parish's lifeline, Dorcheat Bayou. The town of Minden had been the economic center of the old Claiborne Parish since the 1840s and would go on to become the seat of Webster Parish. While Minden and the southern part of the parish had a varied economic base and a relatively slow and steady growth, the northern end of the parish experienced a much different pattern of expansion. Settlement in the areas of Springhill and Cotton Valley did not begin in large scale until the arrival of the railroad around 1900, but the timber industry and the oil boom caused these areas to develop rapidly. Pictures of the growth emerging from the Cotton Valley Oil Field and the presence of International Paper in Springhill give the reader a glimpse of how northern Webster Parish emerged during the twentieth century. Additional photographs of people, homes,
and businesses throughout the parish complete the story of life in a long-ago era, a time marked by a growing prosperity in a young and optimistic America.

Rayne's People and Places

9780738543482

$24.99

Many people who visit Rayne to enjoy its charming murals and picturesque streets know the community as a quaint city along their vacation's journey. However, Rayne is more than just a pleasant stopover for tourists and passersby; it is a destination in its own right-a multicultural, historic community that has enjoyed a vibrant and interesting past. Rayne's People and Places provides insight into the heritage and cultural lifestyles of its citizens-like some who jitterbugged at the old Hollywood Club, drank peach nectars at People's Drug Store, and ate biscuits at Paco's-by showing their families, homes, and workplaces.

Shreveport

9780738514161

$24.99

A city's history is made by its people, and for over 165 years the people of Shreveport, Louisiana have been building a rich heritage. From everyday residents to community leaders, from educators and clergy to entertainers and celebrities, Shreveport's citizens have created a lasting legacy. Here, readers are presented with a collective portrait of the city, including images from both its distant and not-so-distant past. Photographs of ordinary as well as extraordinary people, revealing their lives and their culture, preserve significant moments in time. While it is not possible to include them all in a single book, this volume does much to create a picture of the numerous talented, industrious, and spirited citizens who have contributed to the community's development. Their names are found on local streets, parks, buildings, and monuments; yet, their stories are often unknown. In this volume, readers will meet some of these colorful figures, putting faces with the names that present-day Shreveport residents know so well.

South Baton Rouge

9781467124720

$24.99

Founded in 1699, Baton Rouge was the site of countless historic events and the home to many people, including those of African ancestry. South Baton Rouge is an African American community located in Baton Rouge. It was one of the first places African Americans could receive a high school education in the state. The three-mile community around historic McKinley High School was the site of the nation's first successful bus boycott. When laws restricted where African Americans could live, work, learn, and play, South Baton Rouge was a refuge. African American restaurants, theaters, gas stations, and other businesses populated the community, and change-makers, including African American lawyers, judges, clergy, educators, and nurses, helped to sustain the community and other portions of the southern half of Louisiana's capital through the end of legal segregation and beyond.

Crowley

9781467112291

$24.99

How do you build a town from scratch? The first ingredient is a dream. W.W. Duson served as the chef with a vision for a new town. With the railroad completed through southwestern Louisiana in 1881, Duson, general manager of the Southwestern Louisiana Land Company, orchestrated the purchase of land along the railroad. Railroader Patrick Crowley moved his "Crowley Switch" house depot to the new townsite as Duson stirred interest through advertisements in Midwestern newspapers. Duson blended the surveying, bringing 100 workers to clear the land, with Duson Brothers' real estate business to help shape the town. Mixed in were special excursion trains that brought in prospective buyers of lots and farmland. Finally, a heaping helping of pioneer adventurers--including merchant Jac Frankel, physician D.P. January, farmer brothers C.J. and Thomas Freeland, attorney James Barry, banker Preston Lovell, and many others--were added to spice up the town.

Recollections of Pierre Part and the Belle River

9781467127974

$24.99

Pierre Part and the shores of Belle River were inhabited by Acadian French-speaking people. They learned from their ancestors how to live off the land, and if more was harvested or hunted than their families could eat, they gave the extra food to their neighbors. There, each family resided in a small house, or a cabin'eau in French. It was typically a one-room structure with stakes (pier), walls (bar d'eau), and a shingle roof. Located at one end of the house, a fireplace was made of timber held together with mud and moss. Commonly, the home's frame was constructed of cypress boards, but some people also included cane reeds, palmetto, and shorter cypress boards to make the structure stronger. Some families would relocate from Bayou Lafourche to the swamps of the beautiful Belle River, where they had family or knew someone so that they could trap. When trapping season was over, they would return to their settlement.

Covington

9780738587493

$24.99

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.

Iberia Parish

9780738591759

$24.99

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.