Name: Wicked Decatur
Brand: Troy Taylor
SKU: 9781609491604
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Wicked Decatur

9781609491604

$21.99

In 1854, Decatur was nicknamed Hell's Half Acre."? By the 1910s and 1920s, the town was referred to as the "Second Most Corrupt City in Illinois, "? gaining notoriety as a place where murder, bootlegging, prostitution, kidnapping, gambling and political corruption were common. Members of the Decatur police force, like Troy Taylor's great-grandfather, were hard-pressed to bar the door against crime in a town that seemed determined to remain wide-open. Wicked Decatur presents a rogue's gallery of those who have slipped through the cracks of legality over the past century and a half."

The Waldo Story: The Home of Friendly Merchants

9781609494728

$21.99

The quaint and quirky corner of Kansas City known as Waldo has earned its reputation the hard way through good times and bad since 1841. From its early days as a way station on the Santa Fe Trail, through the dark times in the path of a civil war, from the railroad boom to the Great Depression and right on into the challenges of the modern community, the merchants of in Waldo have played a unique and fascinating role in rooting and nurturing this special, yet very familiar place. Their stories the people, the landmarks, and the special times together make the Waldo Story.

The Waldo Story: The Home of Friendly Merchants

Navasota

9780738595023

$24.99

Navasota is named for the nearby Navasota River. The naming of the river is linked, most plausibly, to an encounter on its banks in the 1540s between Indians and a Spanish expedition led initially by the then-deceased Hernando de Soto. Indians believed that spirits of the dead were associated with rivers. Accordingly, though he was interred earlier in the Mississippi River, the Indians saw de Soto's spirit reborn in their river, hence the legendary term "Nativity de Soto," shortened to Navasota. As this book shows, the history of Navasota has revolved around the theme of birth. It stands in the Cradle of Texas, associated endemically with the founding of Spanish Texas and later with the birth of the Republic of Texas. At the crossroads of Texas, Navasotians have pioneered new industries while moderating equilibrium between a genteel society bent on expanding the mind and a ruffian element tamed only at the hands of an icon in American folklore.

Federalsburg in Vintage Postcards

9780738515748

$24.99

Situated on the fickle Marshyhope Creek, Federalsburg, has long reached out to Maryland and the rest of the country with trade on its waterways and rails. In 1791, Isaac Nichols called a tract of land in the middle of the eastern shore of Maryland "Rawley." The name became "Federalsburg" in the late 18th century when the small village, consisting of only two streets, was dominated by Federalist influence. Before the Civil War, Federalsburg was involved in the shipbuilding industry; later its energies were invested in mills, farming, and canneries. When the railroad arrived in 1867-1868, trade in Federalsburg proliferated even more as refrigerated cars allowed produce to be shipped to major cities in the North. Federalsburg's agricultural heritage has since continued to endure.

Arsenal of History:

9781596298170

$14.99

The Powder Magazine was completed circa 1713 as an arsenal to safely store munitions in the South Carolina colonial capital of Charles Town, serving continuously in defense through the 1740s and periodically until the 1820s. Rescued from destruction in 1902, the building has served as a museum for more than a century, inspiring countless other historic conservation efforts. Museum Director Alan Stello presents the story of the state's oldest public building by establishing connections between the arsenal and the significant episodes it has witnessed. Readers will enjoy an introductory look at South Carolina colonial military history while gaining an appreciation for this icon of history and preservation.

Florence

9780738516097

$24.99

Originally formed as a railroad terminal, the city of Florence, South Carolina, has developed from a township with agrarian roots into a city that is an indispensable medical hub and a place of flourishing business and industry. After being named for Florence Henning Harllee, daughter of the first president of the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad, Florence was chartered in 1871 and then incorporated on December 24, 1890. It is now the largest city in the northeastern portion of South Carolina, and its humble beginnings have given way to a heritage rich in tradition and southern charm. Images of America: Florence showcases storied photographs, culled from personal collections, family archives, the City of Florence, and local businesses. Each view, coupled with fact-filled captions, reveals yet another part of the story of this fine example of a genteel, southern city.

Deer Isle and Stonington

9780738557038

$24.99

Deer Isle, a coastal town in Penobscot Bay, was settled by farmers and mariners in the 1760s after the end of the French and Indian War. People, freight, and mail came by water to the secluded island where mackerel and lobster fishing were the mainstays of the island's economy. In the late 19th century, granite from booming Stonington quarries was shipped by boat. Summer visitors began arriving by the boatload to rusticate in gracious inns and seasonal cottages. These became the subjects of vintage postcards, many created by local photographers capturing the views of harbors and towns, rural roads and bridges, masts of the great sailing vessels, and derricks of the large quarries.

Cover image for Deer Isle and Stonington, isbn: 9780738557038

Fredericksburg, Virginia:

9781596293830

$21.99

Ted Kamieniak collected these fifteen superb articles to amaze and fascinate all who feel "history" is simply a well-worn path. Each selection delivers fresh perspective and intriguing events connected to Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
Fastidiously investigated and painstakingly written, this eclectic compilation presents little-visited neighborhoods of historical inquiry. Meet Fredericksburg's first cop on the beat; discover the persistence of hoodoo and conjuration in black plantation society; delve into the account of State Senator Benjamin Pitts and Fredericksburg's first drive-in movie theater--and so much more! Whether your interests lie in social history, vernacular architecture, historic technology or folkways, you will find this book an entertaining and profitable read.

Radford

9780738544427

$24.99

Radford, Virginia, is a city with a remarkable history. Native Americans settled the area long before Europeans moved into the region in the mid-18th century. The Virginia and Tennessee Railroad created a line in 1854 that linked Lynchburg with Bristol. Central Depot, which later became Radford, was a midway point on that rail line. Radford was established as a city in 1892, and two Virginia governors, James H. Tyler and John N. Dalton, have claimed Radford as their home. Radford Normal School, an institute for teacher training, was established in 1913 and has grown to become Radford University. Glencoe Museum, the Radford Heritage Foundation, and the citizens of Radford have all contributed to this collection of photographs. Images of America: Radford is a tribute to the rich and interesting stories of the city's past.

The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott and Thomas Circles

9780738514048

$24.99

Visit the important developments in these Washington DC neighborhoods, the stately homes and notable citizens in this compelling visual record.

From the farm and orchard lands of the mid-1880s to the Civil War encampments, from modest wood frame homes to vast residences of Victorian splendor, the area surrounding the closely located Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles has for many years been at the center of a rich history. Comprising a diverse architectural and social heritage, these neighborhoods have played a part in the great story of the capital city and have been home to the working man and woman, the wealthy, the middle class, and the politically powerful alike.

Following their use as the site of hangman's gallows for Civil War traitors, all three circles evolved into lush parks surrounded by the elegant, Victorian-era homes that housed nearly all of the nation's elite by the 1890s. Prior to the turn of the twentieth century, these neighborhoods were home to Washington's most influential citizens-pioneers and politicians, generals and industrialists-and, in the 1930s, to well-known leaders of the city's African-American community, such as Mary McLeod Bethune and Bishop Charles M. ""Sweet Daddy"" Grace. Logan Circle survives much as it was today, but many readers will not recognize the early homes, now long gone, that once surrounded Scott and Thomas Circles and have since been replaced by office buildings, hotels, and commercial establishments. Fortunately, a compelling visual record of the development of Logan, Scott, and Thomas Circles remains.

The Neighborhoods of Logan, Scott and Thomas Circles

Westwood

9780738510361

$24.99

Westwood began as West Dedham, a small collection of farms owned by Dedham residents. At the time of incorporation in 1897, the population was only twelve hundred people. Westwood grew rapidly in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as Bostonians from Beacon Hill built large houses and developers purchased tracts of land to build homes on small lots. Before the highways and railroads, stagecoaches and trolleys traveled the town's two post roads-High and Washington Streets. At one time, Westwood even had an airport. Today, the community has more than thirteen thousand citizens.

In Westwood, rare photographs from the Westwood Historical Society, the Westwood Public Library, and private collections offer glimpses into the town's past. The images include sawmills, icehouses, metal foundries, and many small businesses. Within these pages are photographs of Fellowship Farm, a socialist experiment under Rev. George E. Littlefield; the Fisher School, now home of the Westwood Historical Society; Betsey Baker's bonnet-making industry; Buckmaster Pond; the Willow Farm and Windsor Road neighborhoods; schools and churches; and landmarks lost to demolition and fire. Westwood illustrates the transformation of the town from a farming community to a modern suburb of Boston.

Wicked Jurupa Valley:

9781609495206

$21.99

The Wineville Chicken Coop Murders a horrible 1928 national news story that inspired the 2008 movie The Changeling from director Clint Eastwood are only the most infamous despicable deeds that have bloodstained the rural countryside between Riverside City and the San Bernardino County line. Jurupa Valley has been a region of dark doings and scandalous misdeeds for generations. The city of Jurupa Valley was formed in 2011 from the area's smaller communities, including Wineville (renamed Mira Loma to escape the shame), Pedley and Rubidoux. Buried in its landscape are salacious sagas of unchecked bootlegging, payday orgies and gruesome murders. Author Kim Jarrell Johnson digs deep to disinter the unsavory stories that have traditionally marked her home city as a resting place of enduring infamy.

Wicked Akron

9781596299153

$21.99

Wicked Akron, Ohio takes the reader on a journey through the seedy underbelly of the city's history.

Akron is known as "the rubber capital of the world'? and home to Goodyear. But look beneath those tires and you will find dirt…a lot of dirt! Explore Akron's darkest days, when citizens burned city hall to the ground and members of the Ku Klux Klan called the shots from the schoolhouse to the courthouse. Meet a grave robber who became a political leader, a mobster who ordered police murders and a beloved bootlegger turned bail bondsman. Say hello to Frank Hurn, a flashy, frenetic, fast-talking con man who was looking for suckers to invest in the Vulcans, an NFL team he promised to bring to Akron. From city saloon to suburban hideout, this is an alternative history lesson of the sometimes dicey coexistence of the well-heeled and the workers, men and women who lived big lives during Akron's fledgling days as a canal port, its pre-Depression heyday and zenith as a Midwestern industrial success story.

Author Kymberli Hagelberg, an award-winning journalist and native Northeast Ohioan, takes the reader on a morbidly-entertaining tour of the shadowy corners of Akron's history. With stories including mobsters and body snatchers, con men and Klansmen, plagues and fires, there is truly something for fans of local history and true crime stories.

Madison County

9780738587202

$24.99

This fertile and beautiful land, with its small rivers and valleys and surrounding mountains, was designated Madison County in 1792. The county was named for the family of James Madison, fourth president of the United States and the father of the Constitution. His family ran a mill on the Rapidan River, which is now located in the southern section of Madison County. Early in the 18th century, descendants of English and French colonials settled the southern sections of the county, and Quakers and German Lutherans settled the northern sections. Madison County's first church, Hebron Lutheran, was built in 1740, and its public church school was opened in 1748. Archaeologists have gathered evidence that Native Americans hunted and gathered in the region thousands of years earlier.

Wicked Ann Arbor

9781609493431

$21.99

Ann Arbor is known as a center of culture and education, but that hasn't prevented various tyrants and scoundrels from sullying the sophistication with base and murderous deeds. Revisit the case of Jacke the Hugger," a turn-of-the-century deviant who routinely accosted and squeezed the women of Ann Arbor. In an effort to lure him from hiding, young men dressed as women and walked city streets. In 1903, UM student Albert Patterson disappeared in what was compared to a dime novel manner. Was he kidnapped by the Mexican Mafia? Carried off in a flying machine? Or did he flee because he was promised to marry two women at the same time? The first panty raid is said to have been carried out at the University of Michigan in March of 1952, starting the fad of the 1950's. It even made the cover of Life magazine. This is only a hint of the wickedness to be found in the history of Ann Arbor."

Galena, Illinois

9781596297302

$21.99

With 85 percent of its buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, Galena truly is a place drenched in history.

From the ancient burial mounds crowding the high banks of the Mississippi to the home of President Ulysses S. Grant, the Illinois town's rich past is everywhere on display. Follow Diann Marsh in her dogged pursuit of that fascinating heritage and catch glimpses of unforgettable incidents like the courageous defense put up by a handful of Galena settlers during the Black Hawk War or the monster flood that turned a day in 1892 into a bridge-snapping spectacle. Fortunes are won and lost within the space of a page, but the legacy left by Galena's determined citizens and cared for by passionate guardians like Marsh is one that is sure to endure.

Gamecock Glory

9781609492540

$21.99

After more than one hundred years of craving a champion, the University of South Carolina finally has one. The 2010 Gamecock baseball team won six consecutive games over eight summer nights to take the College World Series and lay claim to the school's first major national championship. From dancing around in a dark locker room to singing "Silent Night"? on the team bus after every victory in Omaha, these Gamecocks were as fun-loving as they were talented. And they did it all in the name of one special boy, seven-year-old Bayler Teal. Bayler passed away before he could see his beloved Gamecocks triumph, but the team's victory is a tribute to their number one fan. Join the Post and Courier's Travis Haney as he recounts this incredible team's historic season.

Warwick's Villages

9781596295995

$21.99

Since Samuel Gorton's first settlers on the Conimicut shore agreed to live without formal government, the villages of Warwick have been fiercely independent. Despite their individualism, however, their histories are inextricably bound. The ravages of King Philip's War left no village unscathed, as settlers lost their houses, livestock and even their lives. England's trade laws forced these seafaring people to smuggle rum out of Mill Cove, and the famous 1772 burning of the British Gaspee near Pawtuxet ignited the flame of protest across Rhode Island. Tracing the history of five villages, Warwick's beloved historian Donald D'Amato reveals how Rhode Island's second-largest city has retained the feel of a small, close-knit community.

Chicopee in the 1940s

9780738555140

$24.99

In 1935, Chicopee was a small city struggling to emerge from a crippling depression and economic collapse. In 1936, the Connecticut River flooded, turning Chicopee's Willimansett section into a giant lake, and on September 21, 1938, a storm roared up the Connecticut Valley with winds of over 100 miles per hour. Rain flooded the already devastated streets and wiped out the Chicopee Falls Bridge. Between these disasters, the U.S. Congress passed the Wilcox Act, and in 1939, Secretary of War Harry W. Woodring announced that the tobacco plains of Chicopee had been selected as the site for the Northeast's Army Air Corps base. The super base, named Westover Field, was the largest air base in the country by 1942. During World War II, Chicopee would be one of four cities in Massachusetts to produce over a billion dollars worth of war materials, and following the war, the city grew and prospered at a record pace.

Jamaica Plain

9780738512464

$24.99

Jamaica Plain: Then & Now is a fascinating photographic history of a Boston neighborhood once referred to as the "Eden of America." At one time a part of Roxbury and later West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain was annexed to the city of Boston in 1874. During the next five decades, the neighborhood expanded due to the railroad and streetcars and became known as one of the "streetcar suburbs." In this lavishly illustrated book, vintage images placed alongside contemporary photographs show well-known buildings and streetscapes as they once were and as they appear today. Included are Jamaica Pond, with its icehouses, and the area of Forest Hills, with the elevated line and streetcars, as well as schools, places of worship, and homes.

Washington County, Virginia, in the Civil War

9781609494957

$21.99

The citizens of Washington County, Virginia gave up their sons and daughters to the Confederate cause of the Civil War. Contributing six Confederate generals as well as Union officers, the region is emblematic of communities throughout the nation that sacrificed during the war. Though the sounds of cannon fire and gunshots were only heard at a distance, Washington County was the breadbasket for Confederate armies. From the fields surrounding Abingdon to the coveted salt works in Saltville, Union Generals were constantly eyeing the region, resulting in the Saltville Massacre and the burning of Abingdon's famous courthouse. Historian Michael Shaffer gives a detailed narrative of Washington County during the Civil War, painting vivid images of heroism on and off the battlefield.

Washington County, Virginia, in the Civil War

Wichita State Baseball Comes Back:

9781626193826

$21.99

There were no bats or balls on the campus of Wichita State University in the spring of 1977. Five years later, the resurrected varsity baseball program was in the final game of the College World Series, fulfilling the seemingly impossible promise made by Gene Stephenson when he began recruiting players to a place that didn't even have a practice field. Stephenson would lead the Shockers for over three decades, but those first five years with the team set him on the course that put him among the winningest coaches in college baseball history..

Voices of Black South Carolina

9781596296114

$21.99

Discover the contributions notable Black South Carolinians gave to bring encouragement and inspiration to their communities.

Did you know that eighty-eight years before Rosa Parks's historic protest, a courageous black woman in Charleston kept her seat on a segregated streetcar? What about Robert Smalls, who steered a Confederate warship into Union waters, freeing himself and some of his family, and later served in the South Carolina state legislature? In this inspiring collection, historian Damon L. Fordham relates story after story of notable black South Carolinians, many of whose contributions to the state's history have not been brought to light until now. From the letters of black soldiers during the Civil War to the impassioned pleas by students of ""Munro's School"" for their right to an education, these are the voices of protest and dissent, the voices of hope and encouragement and the voices of progress.

Huletts Landing on Lake George

9780738557472

$24.99

Huletts Landing is located on the east shore of Lake George, a lake world renowned for its crystal clear water and views of the majestic Adirondack Mountains. Named after the original owners of the property, the Huletts, the area began humbly. It was not until Philander Hulett established the first post office and steamship landing that tourism in the area began to flourish. The area grew into a resort destination with the establishment of the original Huletts Hotel, which burned down and resulted in a sensational arson trial in 1917. A second, newer hotel was built, and the area thrived. Residents and tourists alike still travel from all areas of the country to spend vacations at Huletts Landing, basking in its mix of unparalleled charm and natural beauty.

Cover image for Huletts Landing on Lake George, isbn: 9780738557472

Danville

9780738517339

$24.99

Located in South Central Virginia on the North Carolina border, Danville remains one of the most dynamic destinations in the state. The geographic region that is now Danville was home to the Morotock Indians in the 1600s and frequented by traders as early as 1673. It was not until the late 1700s that the Virginia General Assembly was petitioned to establish a Tobacco Inspection Site along the Dan River. On November 23, 1793, the Assembly approved the request and decreed that 25 acres south of the river be founded as the Town of Danville. The city's first cotton mill was constructed in 1828, and five years later the town became the City of Danville. The town served as the last capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and was also the site of the infamous "Wreck of the Old 97"--inspiration for the popular ballad. In the more than 200 years since its founding, Danville's rich history has been driven by tobacco and textile markets.

Wicked Charlotte

9781596291607

$21.99

Bootleggers, swindlers, gold miners and serial killers--Charlotte has courted them all. The Queen City is renowned for its skyline, sports teams and dizzying growth, but just below its smooth, polished exterior lies a dark past full of crime and myriad misdeeds. This second history of Charlotte has been concealed and denied by those who retell the city's story, and by those who have lived it. Until now.

In Wicked Charlotte, discover the tale of the Chicago gangsters who invaded the city looking to pull a heist to fund sinister maneuverings in their boss's criminal trial. Learn how a golden nugget found in a nearby creek changed Charlotte from a trading crossroads into a rough and tumble town full of fortune seekers bent on finding a quick dollar and instant riches. And read about the details of the death of one of Charlotte's most gifted writers, who met his end in a seedy hotel room in Mexico.

This raucous book sheds light on these incidents and many more, revealing a side of Charlotte's history that few will recognize. The sordid events described here took place on familiar streets and in well known neighborhoods, but rarely have the stories passed beyond the circles of those who lived them. Charlotte has played host to a multitude of villainous characters, and has seen scores of unsavory deeds played out on its shadowy streets. Wicked Charlotte brings it all to the forefront, as never before.

Tarpon Springs, Florida

9780738515977

$24.99

African Americans originally came to Tarpon Springs in the mid-1880s to work in the lumber mills. In the 1890s, a number of sponge divers arrived from the Bahamas and Key West to harvest and prepare the wealth of sponges found in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Anclote River. Devoutly religious, these pioneers founded the African American Episcopal Church in 1887 and the Baptist Church in 1892. Union Academy School, the first African-American school in Tarpon Springs, was established in the early 1900s. The dedicated work ethic of early African-American settlers continues today. Many of their descendants serve as educators, politicians, and ministers.

Asbury Park Reborn

9781609496807

$21.99

Asbury Park's diverse array of landmarks creates an unforgettable impression of this legendary seaside city.

The elegant, Art Deco-inspired Convention Hall captures the resort's glittering heyday in the 1920s and '30s, while structures like the Upstage seem to echo with the voices of aspiring musicians like Bruce Springsteen when they played at intimate venues, defining Asbury's world-renowned music scene. As the city forges ahead with ambitious redevelopment plans, many neglected buildings have been rehabilitated, but others continue to deteriorate, despite a groundswell of public opposition. From opulent movie houses to down-and-dirty rock-and-roll clubs, these landmarks trace the evolution of Asbury Park from a tiny nineteenth-century resort town to the world-famous playground of today.

Wicked Charleston

9781596290761

$21.99

Wicked Charleston: The Dark Side of the Holy City, by local resident and tour guide Mark R. Jones, explores the dark alleys and seedy characters not often associated with the Charleston of today.

A beautiful Southern city distinguished by its opulent homes, towering church steeples and hospitality, Charleston, South Carolina, has long been associated with the genteel side of Southern living. However, beyond the outward appearances that most people associate with Charleston, there is another side that most visitors and residents would dare not believe is part of the very fabric from which the city's history was woven. From the sexual escapades of an original Lord Proprietor and the comings and goings of the most notorious pirates, to secret brothels and nightclubs, Jones leads the reader back to a time when "drinking, eating and whoring with more than fifty wenches" was perhaps more common in the Holy City than one may imagine.

Weinstock's:

9781609494445

$21.99

In 1874, David Lubin hung a provocative sign over a ten by twelve-foot space on the corner of Fourth and K Streets in Sacramento, California: D. Lubin: One Price." Thus began the dry goods store that would evolve into Weinstock, Lubin, and Co., one of Sacramento's landmark businesses and eventually a regional giant. While many Sacramentans will remember Weinstock's spectacular Christmas displays, the signature children's milk bar and the gala openings of suburban stores at Country Club Plaza and Sunrise Mall, historian Annette Kassis goes beyond the storefront to uncover the philosophy that placed Weinstock's at the forefront of business innovation. More than a retail establishment, Weinstock's one-hundred-year legacy brought high fashion, progressive politics and the leading edge of modernization to California's Capital City."

Shelby

9780738552910

$24.99

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shelby was established in 1841 as the seat of newly formed Cleveland County. Once a textile center surrounded by thousands of acres of cotton fields, Shelby is experiencing an exciting economic revival with a diversified mix of business and industry. The 1907 courthouse will be the center of a Southern music and heritage museum highlighting local musicians Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson. In Images of America: Shelby, U. L. "Rusty" Patterson and Barry Hambright have taken another look at Shelby, with special attention paid to the people who were responsible for the progress of the city; the many business, civic, religious, and social leaders within the community; the old Shelby public schools; and Shelby's proud sports heritage.

Michigan Memorial Park

9780738551593

$24.99

In 1926, a former two-time University of Michigan All-American football hero decided that a pastoral area of Huron Township could be transformed into a cemetery. Two years later, Michigan Memorial Park opened its gates to begin serving the needs of this growing community tucked away in a corner of the township located southwest of Detroit. Bordering on the peaceful Huron River, this former home to the Wyandott tribe and later French settlers has become a sprawling 300-acre parcel of land still surrounded by woods and farmland. It is Michigan's largest nondenominational cemetery whose ownership has remained in the same family for four generations. Thousands of trees, a plethora of sculptures and fountains, and swan-filled ponds adorn the gardenlike grounds adding to the tranquility experienced by all those who visit. Michigan Memorial Park has remained one of the pillars of the community, not only providing a resting place for many thousands who have passed away but also giving back to the community through its involvement in civic activities.

The Way We Were in San Diego

9781609494414

$19.99

San Diego, known for its perfect weather, naval ties and landmarks like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park, has a history as incredible as its stunning shoreline. In this collection of articles from his San Diego Union-Tribune column The Way We Were," Richard W. Crawford recounts stories from the city's early history that once splashed across the headlines. Read about Ruth Alexander's aviation feats, the water pipeline carved from Humboldt County redwoods, the jailbreak of a man facing ten years in San Quentin for cow theft, a visit from escape artist Harry Houdini and the Purity League's closure of the Stingaree red-light district. These stories highlight San Diego's progress from a humble frontier port to the stylish city it is today."

Westside Chronicles:

9781609496234

$21.99

Los Angeles sprawled westward toward the sand and sea of Santa Monica Bay throughout the twentieth century as land-grant ranchos gave way to capitalists and promoters. Developers subdivided the coastal land into neighborhoods and communities: Santa Monica, Brentwood, Bel-Air, Westwood, Venice, Ocean Park, Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Marina del Rey. These became places known to the nation at large for movie stars, moguls and business tycoons;
for Will Rogers, Henry Huntington and UCLA; and for estate homes, amusement piers and surfing beaches. Join Jan Loomis, a former West L.A. magazine publisher and historian, as she tells the stories behind how it all came to be West Los Angeles.

Thais in Los Angeles

9780738581842

$24.99

Los Angeles is home to the largest Thai population outside of Thailand. With a relatively recent history of immigration to the United States dating to 1965, reports estimate that 80,000 Thais make their home in Southern California. In spite of its brief history in the United States, the Thai community in Los Angeles has already left its mark on the city. While the proliferation of Thai-owned businesses and shops has converted East Hollywood and some San Fernando Valley neighborhoods to destinations for cultural tourism, the Thai community in Los Angeles County reverberates still from global attention over the 1995 El Monte human trafficking case. The great popularity of Thai cuisine, textiles, and cultural festivals continues to preserve, enrich, and showcase one of Asia's most distinctive cultures.