Name: Milwaukee's Early Architecture
Brand: Megan E. Daniels
SKU: 9780738584119
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Milwaukee's Early Architecture

9780738584119

$24.99

Initially dominated by simple renditions of East Coast architecture, Milwaukee developed from three pioneer settlements, those of Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn, and George Walker--three hubs from which three villages radiated outward into one city. Following the Civil War, Milwaukee's growth at the onset of the Industrial Era afforded the city a fanciful array of Victorian streetscapes. The 1890s followed with an era of ethnic architecture in which bold interpretations of German Renaissance Revival and Baroque designs paid homage to Milwaukee's overwhelming German population. At the turn of the century, Milwaukee's proximity to Chicago influenced the streetscape with classicized civic structures and skyscrapers designed by Chicago architects. World War I and the ensuing anti-German sentiment, as well as Prohibition, inevitably had adverse effects on "Brew City." By the 1920s, Milwaukee's architecture had assimilated to the national aesthetic, suburban development was on the rise, and architectural growth would soon be stunted by the Great Depression.

Texas Mass Graves

9781467152488

$23.99

Every mass grave in Texas offers morbid proof that at one time, in that place, something went very, very wrong.

Texans have resorted to mass graves out of necessity, desperation and appalling indifference. These sites mark natural disasters or hide unnatural crimes that tested the limits of human endurance and empathy. Because of this, memorializing those who lie in mass graves can be controversial. Not everyone wants to dig up the darkness of the past, much less admit that the dirt is still fresh. Nevertheless, to honor those whose bones lie mixed with others, their stories must be told. In so doing, Kathy Benjamin exhumes essential shards of Lone Star history, from the Alamo to the present day.

Portsmouth

9781467110839

$24.99

Portsmouth, Ohio, originated in the 1790s, when the town of Alexandria was founded at the junction of the Scioto and Ohio Rivers. A decade later, due to the frequent disastrous floods from both rivers, Alexandria was abandoned and the entire town moved eastward. In 1814, after being platted by Henry Massie, the city of Portsmouth was incorporated. In the years that followed, Portsmouth became an industrial and transportation center, a regional leader in retail and wholesale businesses, and a recreational center that once featured, among many other things, an amusement park and a National Football League team franchise. The nickname "Peerless City" was a perfect fit.

The 1910 Wellington Disaster

9781467102735

$24.99

The town of Wellington was located by the Stevens Pass summit in the Cascade Mountains. During the last days of February in 1910, the snow was relentless in the Cascades, falling as much as one foot per hour and rising up to 20 feet deep in areas. Rotary plows could not keep the lines open as snow covered the railroad tracks almost immediately after being cleared. The Seattle Express, coming from Spokane, and a fast mail train were stranded just beyond the "safety" of the Cascade Tunnel, where they remained unmovable for almost a week under the snowpacked mountains. On March 1, an avalanche swept away the tracks and passengers aboard the two trains as well as several of Wellington's buildings and homes. Almost 100 individuals were killed in just a few seconds, creating America's deadliest avalanche and train disaster in history. Today, the site is part of the Iron Goat Trail off Highway 2, east of Skykomish. The snowshed, the abandoned original Cascade Tunnel, and various scraps of the trains left in the ravine are the only evidence that remain of Wellington, its long-forgotten inhabitants, or the disaster.

Cover image for The 1910 Wellington Disaster, isbn: 9781467102735

Murder of Oscar Chitwood in Hot Springs, Arkansas, The

9781467153270

$23.99 $12.00 Save 50%

The Line between Lawmen and Lawless

On December 26, 1910, Oscar Chitwood lay lifeless on the courthouse lawn in Hot Springs, his wrists shackled together, and his body torn by bullets. The deputies on the scene claimed that masked men had lynched their prisoner and that the lawmen were innocent bystanders to the carnage. Newspapers everywhere proclaimed this killing another example of vigilantism run rampant. Within days, however, the official story fell apart, and these deputies were charged with cold-blooded murder. Authors Guy Lancaster and Christopher Thrasher tell the little-known story of accused outlaw Oscar Chitwood, the authorities he dared defy, and the mysterious resort town of Hot Springs, a place where the Wild West met the epitome of civilization, and where the boundaries between lawman and outlaw were never all that clear.

Murder of Oscar Chitwood in Hot Springs, Arkansas, The

The Old Spanish Trail Highway in Texas

9781467106924

$23.99

At the dawn of automobile travel in the United States, visionary entrepreneurs proposed a Southern transcontinental route called the Old Spanish Trail (OST) that would stretch across eight states from Florida to California. The central third of the road spanned more than 900 miles and traversed Texas. The collaboration of communities, both large and small, that worked to bridge rivers and pave primitive roads made the OST a reality during the 1920s. As travelers ventured forth on the route, a diverse crop of businesses--filling stations, autocamps, tourist courts, motels, and myriad eating establishments--sprang up to meet the needs of tourists, wanderers, migrants, and truckers while also fueling economic growth. For over 50 years, the OST continuously underwent construction and redesign that transformed a small roadway into a multilane interstate highway carrying a constantly increasing flow of goods, services, and people. Although the OST identity is gradually growing fainter amidst the standardization of businesses and rerouting of numbered highways around (instead of along) city streets, it still survives among many Texans who dwell along the Trail.

John Boyd Thacher State Park and the Indian Ladder Region

9780738575964

$24.99

The story of John Boyd Thacher State Park and the Indian Ladder Region is the story of how a wilderness became a park. Hardworking farmers transformed the forests into farm fields and blasted a roadway through a cliff to get their goods to market. John Boyd Thacher and his wife, Emma Treadwell Thacher, permanently protected the wilderness for all to enjoy. Photographs show 19th-century tourists making their way from the train stations in Voorheesville, Meadowdale, and Altamont up the steep Indian Ladder Road. Others depict ladies and gentlemen in Victorian-era dress climbing the ladder propped against the cliff and posing behind waterfalls and in the mouths of caves. These photographs have been drawn from the collections of local families and institutions, with many appearing publicly for the first time.

Fort Ord

9780738528694

$24.99

From its establishment during World War I to its closure at the end of the Cold War, the Army installation best known as Fort Ord made a significant contribution to our national defense. Founded as a training area for Presidio of Monterey troops in 1917, Fort Ord covered more than 28,000 acres near the city of Monterey in its heyday. The local topography made it ideal as an infantry training center, and this was its primary mission throughout much of the 20th century. Most recently, Fort Ord was home to the 7th Infantry Division (Light), which was inactivated in 1993. In September 1994, Fort Ord closed its gates and became a part of military history.

Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music

9781455624010

$24.95

Based on exclusive interviews with over 120 groundbreaking musicians, Craig Harris has crafted what feels like the first truly comprehensive history of bluegrass. His research and never-before-seen photos make Bluegrass a new authority on the genre’s strongest influencers. It is arranged chronologically from Bill Monroe in 1927 to the Earls of Leicester today. Highlights include entertaining facts and anecdotes about Flatt & Scruggs, Del McCoury, Doc Watson, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and more. Casual readers and mountain-music buffs alike will come away with a rich understanding of the roots and evolution of this uniquely American sound.

Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music

Knoxville in the Civil War

9781467110198

$24.99

Knoxville sits nestled in the extraordinary natural beauty of the Tennessee River Valley. For four long years, from 1861 to 1865, this idyllic setting was racked by some of the harshest experiences of the entire Civil War. Armies, battles, famous generals, partisans, and thousands of troops from every state North and South made their mark on the region, leaving a rich military history. However, it was the people of this genuinely American city whose divided loyalties forced families, schools, churches, financial stability, and literally all aspects of community to opposite sides of the deadly conflict. Civil war means that people, not just designated armies, become sworn enemies. In this close-knit small town, there was nowhere to hide from this vicious reality. The population of Knoxville suffered intensely, and the trauma of those punishing times can still be felt in its 21st-century cultural identity.

Kentucky's State Capitol

9780738585789

$24.99

Kentucky's magnificent capitol building was constructed in the industrious early 20th century, considered the age of conspicuous consumption. Architect Frank Mills Andrews designed the striking 403-foot-long Beaux Arts edifice, faced with sublime Indiana limestone and Vermont granite and surrounded with 70 monolithic columns. Nearly five years of construction followed the August 14, 1905, ground-breaking, and an estimated 20,000 proud Kentuckians and dignitaries were present for the pomp and circumstance that surrounded the June 2, 1910, dedication of the $1.8-million "New Kentucky Home." Kentucky's landmark capitol building forever changed the landscape of Frankfort, its capital city, while presenting the commonwealth a monument to its progress since statehood in 1792.

Maryland in the French & Indian War

9781467150347

$23.99

"It is true, Maryland did not . . . contribute its proportion, but it was, in my opinion, the fault of the Government, and not of the people." ~Benjamin Franklin During the French and Indian War the American colonies contributed to the imperial war effort like never before, Maryland included. Maryland's involvement in the war saw colonial governor Horatio Sharpe and the elected delegates of the Lower House in near constant struggle over Maryland's role. They battled over the deployment of Maryland's militia, over raising troops, and over wartime funding. Meanwhile, frontier settlements burned and Maryland's soldiers joined the effort to defend Great Britain's claims to lands west of the Appalachians. Britain's colonies in North America expanded substantially as a result. Local historian Tim Ware details the political as well as the military conflicts Maryland faced in this unique war.

Hammond

9781467109413

$23.99

The resilient city of Hammond is the place of Flick's triple dog dare, where John Dillinger never robbed a bank because of busy railroad crossings, and where an original National Football League team started in 1920. This city of 78,000 extends down from Lake Michigan in the shadow of neighboring Chicago along the state line. Hammond began in the late 19th century as a railroad town, industrial center, and commercial crossroads and remains famous through humorist Jean Shepherd's tales of Ralphie's quest for a BB gun in A Christmas Story. It has also been home to the secret behind Dairy Queen, groundbreaking CBS sportscaster Irv Cross, the Doublemint Twins, and, most deliciously, Phil Smidt's frog legs. Having shaken off the Rust Belt moniker in the 21st century, the Idaho-shaped city rests on storied foundations such as the First Baptist Church, the Ophelia Steen Center, the Hammond Public Library, a Purdue campus, and those darn railroads that still whistle through the Calumet Region nights.

Early Tucson

9780738556468

$23.99

Tucson is a history of time and a river. The roots of prehistoric habitation run deep along the Santa Cruz River, reaching back thousands of years. Later the river attracted 17th-century Spanish explorers, who brought military government, the church, and colonists to establish the northern outpost of their New World empire. Later still, American westward expansion drew new settlers to the place called Tucson. Today Tucson is a bustling multicultural community of more than one million residents. These images from the photographic archives of the Arizona Historical Society tell the stories of individuals and cultures that transformed a 19th-century frontier village into a 20th-century desert city.

Chicago Television

9780738577135

$26.99

Take a seat in the front for a journey through the first 50 years of TV in Chicago. Many of the pioneering stations there defined the early years with innovation, personaility and programming.

The history of television in Chicago begins with the birth of the medium and is defined by the city's pioneering stations. WBKB (now WLS-TV) was the principal innovator of the Chicago School of Television, an improvisational production style that combined small budgets, personable talent, and the creative use of scenery and props. WNBQ (now WMAQ-TV) expanded the innovative concept to a wider audience via the NBC network. WGN-TV scored with sports and kids. Strong personalities drove the success of WBBM-TV. A noncommercial educational station, WTTW, and the city's first UHF station, WCIU, added diversity and ethnic programming. The airwaves in Chicago have been home to a wealth of talented performers and iconic programs that have made the city one of the country's greatest television towns. Chicago Television, featuring photographs from the archives of the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) and the collections of local stations and historians, gives readers a front-row seat on a journey through the fi rst 50 years of Chicago television, 1940-1990. Founded in 1982 by broadcaster Bruce DuMont, the MBC Web site offers over 10,000 digital assets.

Avila Beach

9781467130738

$24.99

For more than 100 years, Avila Beach has represented the best of what California's Central Coast has to offer. Inhabitants of Avila have, since before its inception as a town, borne witness to the many changing faces and cultures representing the California landscape. Its earliest inhabitants were the Chumash Indians, who populated the Central Coast until the arrival of the Spanish missions. Later, the San Miguelito Rancho land grant was awarded to Don Miguel Avila, for whom the town itself was named. Avila eventually became a thoroughfare for the fishing industry. Other industries prospered as well, notably due to the ingenuity of early pioneer John Harford, who was instrumental in the development of numerous piers at Avila and at Port San Luis. The access to the sea allowed the region to benefit from the steamer ships that serviced California's coast.

Forgotten Queens

9781467120654

$24.99

In the early years of the 20th century, Queens County underwent an enormous transformation. The Queensboro Bridge of 1909 forever changed the landscape of this primarily rural area into the urban metropolis it is today.

Forgotten Queens shows New York's largest borough between the years 1920 and 1950, when it was adorned with some of the finest model housing and planned communities anywhere in the country. Victorian mansions, cookie-cutter row houses, fishing shacks, and beachside bungalows all coexisted next to workplaces and commercial areas. Beckoning with the torch of the new century and a bright promise for those who dared to pioneer its urban wilderness, Queens flourished as a community. Through vintage photographs being seen by the public for the first time, the five wards of Queens are highlighted for their unique character and history.

Southern California Surf Music, 1960-1966

9781467133203

$24.99

Dick Dale & the Del-Tones began holding weekend dances at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa, California, in the summer of 1960. Over the next year and a half, Dale developed the sound and style that came to be known as "surf music." The result was the development of more powerful guitar amplifiers, a dramatic increase in the sales of Fender guitars and amplifiers, and a shift from New York to West Coast recording studios. More and more people were drawn to the sport of surfing, which became an important part of teen beach culture at the time. Even landlocked teenagers were captured by the moment, carrying surfboards atop their woodies in Phoenix or bleaching their hair blonde in St. Paul. For hundreds of thousands of kids, though, the attraction was not the connection to surfing; it was the connection to the music pioneered by Dick Dale.

Southern California Surf Music, 1960-1966

Georgia Tech

9781467129602

$23.99 $12.00 Save 50%

Georgia Tech has become one of the nation's top-10-ranked public universities and boasts a former U.S. president, TV personality and Hall-of-Fame athletes among its prominent alumni.

From humble beginnings as a small technological institute that opened in 1888, Georgia Tech is now renowned throughout the world for its excellence in technological education and research. A top-10-ranked public university, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings, famous Georgia Institute of Technology alumni include Jimmy Carter, G. Wayne Clough, Jeff Foxworthy, Sam Nunn, Randolph Scott, and Leonard Wood, along with many famous athletes. Georgia Tech has won four national college football championships, the first in 1917 under the legendary coach John Heisman. Today, Georgia Tech has a student body of more than 29,000 at the undergraduate and graduate levels and more than 155,000 living alumni. The institute has an annual economic impact of about $3 billion upon Georgia's economy. Authors and Tech alumni Matthew Hild and David L. Morton take you inside the journey of how this institute got to where it is today.

Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges

9780738592497

$24.99

This book invites the reader to step back in time and imagine the days when ancestors traveled through wooden spans to reach their daily destinations.

Starting in the early 1800s, Pennsylvania's rich forests provided natural material for the construction of more than 1,500 covered bridges across the state. The first covered bridge was built in 1805. Pennsylvania's Covered Bridges looks at the earliest covered bridges as well as those that have survived modern progress. Images also show rare railroad covered bridges that have been saved from destruction over the years.

Vermont's Woodstock Railroad

9781467147668

$21.99

During America's golden age of railroading, it was the smaller branch lines that were the most beloved by the people they served. Such was the case of Vermont's Woodstock Railroad, which faithfully served the daily needs of the local populace--farmers, mill owners, carpenters and general store proprietors. From 1875 to 1933, the line provided a vital link between the communities of White River Junction, Quechee and Woodstock. Local families such as the Deweys, Billingses and Williamses led the development of the railroad and contributed greatly to the local economy. Local author and historian Frank J. Barrett Jr. recounts the story of that proud line, its construction, daily operations, growth, triumphs and eventual demise.

The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana

9781467149976

$21.99

Author Janis Thornton reveals the stories of a day in Indiana like no other.

Palm Sunday 1965 started as the nicest day of the year, the kind of weather that encouraged Hoosiers to get out in the sun, fire up the grill, hit the golf course, or roll down their car windows and take a leisurely drive. That evening, however, throughout northern and central Indiana, the sky turned an ominous black, and storms moved in, quickly manifesting as Indiana's worst tornado outbreak. Within three hours, twisters, some a half-mile wide, ripped through seventeen counties, devastating communities and leaving death and destruction in their wake. When the tornadoes were finished with Indiana, 137 people were dead, hundreds were injured, and thousands more were forever changed.

The 1965 Palm Sunday Tornadoes in Indiana

Copper Country Rail

9780738550589

$24.99

The rise and decline of the copper industry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula mirrored that of the railroads that served the area.

From the railroads' beginnings in the early 1870s to the complex rail network of the 1900s, Copper Country exploded with immigrants eager to mine the eponymous metal and their families, brought in by the car-full on train after train. By 1976, the abandonment of the Houghton tracks of the Soo Line (formerly the Mineral Range, Duluth South Shore and Atlantic) meant that Copper Country was once again without the railroad service that built it. This book seeks to tell the story of Copper Country railroads through a collection of pictures from various archival sources, including the authors' personal collections, the National Park Service archives, and many more.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

9781467132947

$24.99

Located in one of the most isolated places on the earth, thousands of miles from the nearest landmass, the area surrounding the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was created by violent earthquakes and fiery volcanic eruptions. Shrouded in ancient myth and legend, the park's history dates back to a time before the Hawaiians first arrived. It was a time when gods and goddesses roamed throughout these islands; the most famous, the fierce goddess of the volcanoes, Pele, is believed to live here still. It took a decade of lobbying efforts to finally preserve this unique area as Volcanoes National Park. Since 1916, not only has this area been a national park for all to experience, but also the scientific advances due to the ability to constantly monitor the volcanic activity here has had a huge impact on the science of volcanology, understanding earthquakes, and creating an early warning system for tsunamis.

Montreal's Expo 67

9781467116350

$24.99

In 1967, Canada celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding with a spectacular party, and the whole world was invited. Montreal's Expo 67 was the first world's fair held in Canada, and it was a huge success, attracting over 50 million visitors. The 1,000-acre site was built on two man-made islands in the St. Lawrence River and incorporated 90 futuristic pavilions created by some of the world's greatest architects and designers. Over 60 countries were represented, along with many private, corporate and thematic pavilions, all brought together under the theme "Man and his World." With performers and entertainers of all varieties, restaurants, cultural attractions, exhibitions and a world-class amusement park, Expo 67 was literally the party of the century, exceeding all expectations.

Eastern State Penitentiary

9780738550398

$24.99

The most significant building project of its time, Eastern State Penitentiary was designed to reshape the minds of its inmates, rather than break their spirits.

It was believed that by keeping prisoners isolated in the chapel-like cells the inner light of their souls would emerge, leading them to discover penitence. In reality, the isolation was nearly impossible to maintain, and the lofty goals of the founders crumbled in the 20th century, much like the building itself. Originally located on the outskirts of Philadelphia, the city eventually expanded and swallowed up the prison. Its unique location became problematic, and numerous escapes and riots threatened the civilian populace in the area. The prison was home to such well-known figures as Chicago mob boss Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton, once the most wanted man in America. Eastern State Penitentiary chronicles the history of this massive prison from its opening in 1829 to its closing and abandonment in 1971, and finally to the rebirth of the prison in the 1990s as a thriving historic site and national historic landmark

Lost Mount Penn

9781467141147

$23.99

German immigrants of the nineteenth century brought their traditions of winemaking and mouthwatering cuisine to the slopes of Mount Penn high above Reading.

With a Santa Claus beard and a long-stemmed pipe, the hermit of Mount Penn, Louis Kuechler, founded Kuechler’s Roost, where travelers flocked for feasts, literary soirees and free-flowing local wine. The opening of the Mount Penn Gravity Railroad brought a flurry of tourists from around the nation and fueled the creation of resorts throughout the countryside. Spuhler’s Hotel hosted renowned pig roasts from noon until midnight. The fresh waters of Lauterbach Springs attracted wine and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Author Mike Madaio explores the vibrant society and culinary culture that made Mount Penn one of the best-known resort regions in the country until financial difficulties and the passage of Prohibition spelled its end.

Cover image for Lost Mount Penn, isbn: 9781467141147

The Lakes Region of New Hampshire

9780738589770

$24.99

Vivid and entrancing, the images of New Hampshire's Lakes Region included in this volume span more than a century of memories. Residents of the area, both natives and newcomers, will find a strong connection with the faces and places presented. The over 200 vintage photographs that make up this fascinating visual history take us to communities on Winnipausaukee, Newfound, and Squam Lakes. Readers also catch glimpses of bustling towns near Chocorua Lake, Winnisquam, Waukewan, and Wicwas. The focus for residents and visitors who come to this pristine area of New Hampshire has always been the lakes. From Alton Bay and Tamworth to Meredith and New Hampton, from Wolfeboro and Center Harbor to Plymouth and Bristol, people have enjoyed exploring, boating, and fishing. Some found a strong source of power for industry here; others built homes and schools; and many have simply enjoyed the cold, spring-fed waters of the lakes for recreation.

Northern Vermont in the Revolutionary War

9781467150040

$21.99

Northern Vermont played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. While the larger campaigns such as the Taking of Fort Ticonderoga, the Quebec Invasion of 1775 and The Battle of Valcour Island have received appropriate historical attention, there were other vital actions in the area as well.

Benedict Arnold and Benjamin Franklin spent significant time in the Champlain Valley. George Washington kept a keen eye on events in the region as raiding parties descended upon numerous Vermont communities. The isolated waters of Missisquoi Bay were as vital as any waterway in America, and the Lake Champlain islands were some of the most strategic territory in the thirteen colonies.

Author and local historian Jason Barney exposes the details and explores how small towns were impacted by invading British armies from Quebec.

Northern Vermont in the Revolutionary War

World War II at Camp Hale

9781467118545

$24.99

In April 1942, a little over two years before the Tenth Mountain Division officially obtained its name, the U.S. Army began the unprecedented construction of a training facility for its newly acquired ski and mountain troops. Located near Pando in Colorado's Sawatch Range, the site eventually known as Camp Hale sits at an elevation of 9,250 feet. Immense challenges in its creation and subsequent training included ongoing racial conflict, the high altitude and blustery winters. However, thanks to contributions from civilian workers and the Women's Army Corps and support from neighboring communities, the camp trained soldiers who helped defeat the Axis powers in World War II. Veteran David R. Witte brings to life this enduring story.

Logan County

9780738582481

$24.99

Forged through time by varied cultures and numerous crises, Logan County provides an intriguing landscape that has nurtured equally intriguing people. In 1774, after the death of their beloved Chief Cornstalk, a tribe of Shawnee Indians led by his daughter, Princess Aracoma, settled into the area. From meager beginnings, the region began to grow, and in 1824, Logan County was formed and named in honor of Chief Logan, head of the Mingo tribe. By the late 1870s, during the height of the timber and coal industries, it was known as home to the Hatfields of the infamous feud. In 1921, Logan became the backdrop of the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest armed labor confrontation in United States history. Logan County has had more than its share of coal mine disasters, labor uprisings, flash flood tragedies, and shady political shenanigans, but it has always been a naturally beautiful and, for the most part, peaceful place to live and raise a family. It has a fascinating past that is well worth revisiting.

The Dwelling Houses of Charleston, South Carolina

9781596292611

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

A famous, classic volume on the architecture of Charleston's houses and neighborhoods, with a new introduction and foreword by architectural historian Gene Waddell. Features a collection of twenty rare sketches by Alice R. Huger Smith from her portfolio on the Miles Brewton House.

The Dwelling Houses of Charleston, South Carolina

Williamson County

9780738578651

$24.99

The area now known as Williamson County has attracted humans for over 13,000 years. The Tonkawa Indians called the area takachue pouetsu, which means "land of good water." In 1848, the Texas Legislature carved a county out of a southwestern portion of the Milam District. They named it after Robert McAlpin Williamson, a judge, lawmaker, and Battle of San Jacinto veteran who was widely known as "Three-legged Willie." Just as the Native Americans before them, settlers were drawn to the area for its abundant water and fertile soil, and the population quickly grew. While agriculture has been a driving force behind the local economy for decades, the county has witnessed a shift from the small farmer and rancher to the larger agribusiness. In addition, Williamson County is a center for education and the high-tech industry and is home to institutions and companies including Southwestern University, the Round Rock Higher Education Center, and Dell.

Altoona

9781467122863

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

For over a century, Altoona, Pennsylvania, was a bustling industrial hotbed. The town thrived as a gem of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which constructed some 6,000 steam locomotives. However, like so many communities in the wake of World War II, Altoona struggled amidst deindustrialization and cultural shifts. The 1968 end of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a decreasing population, and a dying downtown slowly made the city a shadow of its former self. However, recent developments reveal potential--as is seen in the corporate presence of Norfolk Southern and Sheetz. Additionally, the growth of Penn State Altoona, regional health care systems, and the Altoona Curve baseball club continue to make the city and its environs a unique place within the heart of the Allegheny Mountains.

Brief History of Mount Dora, Florida, A

9781467118422

$21.99

Mount Dora is known for its southern charm and New England look, yet its history is just as engaging. The "Festival City" began with the arrival of pioneer families such as the Drawdys, Simpsons and Tremains. In the 1880s, it became a popular destination for Chautauqua events, when visitors gathered beside Lake Gertrude and Lake Dora for educational and cultural enrichment. In the twentieth century, Mount Dora weathered economic setbacks and racial conflict before becoming a premier city of the arts. Today, this beautiful lakefront community welcomes thousands of visitors to its numerous festivals, events and active shopping village. Join authors Gary McKechnie and Nancy Howell as they celebrate the intriguing history of their town.