Crowley

9781467108287

$23.99 $12.00 Save 50%

Established around 1848 as Deer Creek Settlement, Crowley grew from a small pioneering community just south of Fort Worth, Texas. When Galveston, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad Company constructed a rail line during the 1870s connecting Cleburne to Fort Worth, the settlement relocated about a mile west. The first train ran through Crowley on December 8, 1881. An integral part of Crowley's growth, the railroad provided ease of shipping cattle and crops and access to transportation. Cattle were either loaded on to railcars or unloaded and sent directly to stock pens. From there they went straight to an auction barn. A feed mill was built, and grocery and hardware stores soon opened. Records indicate that the first post office was housed in Hayes Brothers General Store and opened in 1883. Crowley was officially on the map as a thriving town. By the end of the 20th century, Crowley boasted approximately 8,000 residents. Since then, the population size has doubled.

Hidden History of Kentucky Political Scandals

9781467145824

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At various points in history, Kentucky's politics and government have been rocked by scandal, and each episode defined the era in which it happened. In 1826, Governor Desha pardoned his own son for murder. In a horrific crime, Governor Goebel was assassinated in 1900. James Wilkinson was branded a traitor against Kentucky and the nation. "Honest Dick Tate" ran away with massive amounts of money from the state treasury. In modern times, Operation BOPTROT resulted in perhaps the biggest scandal in the state. Authors Robert Schrage and John Schaaf offer a fascinating account of Kentucky's history and its many unique and scandalous characters.

Hidden History of Kentucky Political Scandals

Historic Zion Cemetery in Memphis

9781467152143

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Discover an Historic Hidden Treasure in African American History

With more than 30,000 interred in its 15 acres, Zion Cemetery is the largest African American community burial ground in Memphis. It was opened in 1876 by former slaves to establish a sacred burial ground for people of color. It is the final resting place of luminaries like Reverend Morris Henderson, who led the founding of the cemetery, and Dr. Georgia Patton Washington, Tennessee's first African American physician. Lynching victims Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell and William Stewart rest there. The cemetery is also the final home of Thomas Franks Cassels and the grandparents of Dr. Benjamin Hooks. Dr. Peatchola Cole-Jones details the rich history and more.

African-American Life on the Southern Hunting Plantation

9780738505558

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By the early 1900s, virtually all of the rich plantation land in the Red Hills between Thomasville, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida, had been converted to quail-hunting land for the pleasure of Northern owners and their guests. To operate these large specialized plantations, a skilled management and talented and industrious work force was needed. Within these pages are the stories of fifteen African Americans who were closely involved in plantation life in the first half of the century. Explored are the unique relationships between the plantation owners and their employees, and between families black and white. Vintage images depict the various tasks performed by the African Americans on the plantation, as well as the recreational activities they enjoyed. Told in the voices of those who lived and worked on the plantations, this unique collection of oral histories will serve as a valuable educational tool for generations to come.

African-American Life on the Southern Hunting Plantation

Thurber

9781467105569

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Once a busy industrial town of nearly 10,000, Thurber now boasts a residency of less than 10. For approximately 50 years, from 1886 to 1936, migrants from the United States, Mexico, Russia, Britain, and Eastern and Western Europe mined bituminous coal, manufactured bricks, and provided the labor for all of the residual businesses in an entirely company-owned town. The rich history of Thurber includes big-city investors, Texas Rangers, labor unions, railroads, sports, opera, diversity, tragedy, triumph, and the everyday lives of men, women, and children.

Mines of Clear Creek County

9781467130349

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In 1859, "Pikes Peak or bust!" spread across America and brought men and their families from all over to the Kansas goldfields seeking a new beginning. Thousands came to Clear Creek and Gilpin Counties and eventually settled all of Colorado. The mining communities of Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Empire, Silver Plume, Dumont, and Lawson all exist because of the pursuit of gold and silver. Gold was initially easy to get to, but in time, underground mineral development was necessary. New technologies and the Industrial Revolution made mining easier, but there was still work to be done to establish local fire departments, churches, schools, and governments.

Elizabeth Park

9781467103527

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Located in Trenton, Michigan, Elizabeth Park was a gift from the descendants of the Slocum and Truax families to the people of Wayne County. Donated in 1919, the property was transformed into an oasis providing recreational opportunities previously unavailable to the area. Besides picnicking, the park provided merry-go-rounds, swings, and slides for children as well as tennis courts, shuffleboard, and horseshoes for the adults. As time and tastes changed, the park had to evolve. In its heyday, during the 1930s, the 162-acre park saw nearly a million visitors a year; however, that number dwindled to a low point during the 1970s and 1980s. Amid many complaints to Wayne County officials, a countywide park millage was passed. Today, the park still retains some of the old but is also a carefree center of activity with boat races, antique car shows, and music festivals.

Smithville

9781467103565

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In 1865, industrialist/inventor Hezekiah Bradley Smith purchased Shreveville, later renamed Smithville, an abandoned textile mill and town located along the Rancocas Creek in Burlington County, for $20,000.

He moved many workers from his Lowell, Massachusetts, plant to the new location, rebuilt the factory, and prepared it for the manufacture of his patented iron woodworking machinery. Smith began to improve the aging housing in the surrounding village. He opened a school and, later, constructed a new school building. Smith erected a boardinghouse for factory workers that contained shops and a concert hall. Through farming on land adjacent to his mansion, he made fresh produce and milk available to his workers. Smith's company also expanded into new industries by working with outside inventors, like George Washington Pressey, who needed a manufacturer for his American Star Bicycle. Later, Arthur Hotchkiss contacted the company to build the world's first bicycle railroad to transport workers from Mount Holly to the Smithville factory. This book captures life in the village and factory, memorializing the intertwining lives of the Smithville workers and H.B. Smith through photographs.

Christmas Tales of Alabama

9781609491550

$14.99 $7.50 Save 50%

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially in Alabama. Celebrate the spirit of the season with these tales of Christmases past from the heart of Dixie. There is the story of Helen Keller's first Christmas memories in Tuscumbia, the tale of how Birmingham native Hugh Martin penned the classic tune "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," visions of all the impressive Christmas light displays throughout the state and much more. In a collection of tales that range from the heartwarming to the heartbreaking, Alabama author Kelly Kazek culls from over two hundred years of Christmas celebrations in the state and offers up a gift that no one will want to be without come Christmas morning.

Hidden History of Rocky Hill

9781467150620

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Many know Rocky Hill as the home of the oldest operating ferry in the country and its renowned Dinosaur State Park. However, there is a lot more history that is seldom seen. Abigail (Smith) Grimes was the imposing matriarch who laid the foundation for the town. Elsie Rhodes was a hero in two wars, although her name today is only barely visible on a memorial. Eli Rodman was an African American man who served valiantly in the Civil War, although his surviving daughters were nearly cheated out of his estate. Even a bit of whimsy, like the story of Hayes Farm's hairless cows, reflects the hardworking agrarian roots of the local community. Join author and Town Historian Robert Herron as he uncovers the forgotten stories and personalities that bring this unique town's history into focus.

Hyde Park

9780738573960

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Hyde Park, the last town annexed to Boston in 1912, was founded in 1868 from sections of Dorchester, Milton, and Dedham. For decades, Hyde Park thrived in proximity to the city while offering a bucolic setting along the Neponset River.

Matthew's Rise

9781455625444

$9.95 $4.98 Save 50%

Set on Caddo Lake in northwest Louisiana, this middle-reader novel finds eleven-year-old Matthew Morin and his family recovering from a tragic loss and trying to regain normalcy as they head to the family farmhouse. There Matthew will build new friendships, investigate a suspicious fire, discovering a Caddo Indian mound, and solving the mystery surrounding the area. They soon turn their attention to the enigmatic new neighbor down the road. As they investigate further, they are pitched into a race against time to save the burial site from desecration.

The Flume Gorge at Franconia Notch

9781467142687

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Lying at the heart of Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume has enthralled travelers since the first decades of the nineteenth century. Early tourists like Emerson and Thoreau were awed by the gorge's wild grandeur and spectacular granite walls rising nearly ninety feet overhead. Railroads in the 1850s brought a flood of visitors, including artists, poets, scientists and photographers, who richly documented the natural splendor of the Flume. Since that time, the Flume has become one of New Hampshire's most popular attractions, drawing thousands to view its beauty each year. Join historian Michael J. Maddigan as he explores the fascinating history of one of New Hampshire's most beloved scenic treasures.

Jack and Remy’s Bayou Band

9781941879214

$17.99 $9.00 Save 50%

Jack's dream is to have a band. Not just any band, a band filled with his bayou neighbors including his new friend, Remy the raccoon. Jack tap-tap-taps his paws as he imagines the music! He can already hear the chank-a-chank of a rubboard and the thump-thump-thump of the drums. Forming a band that includes an alligator, a snake, some turtles, a bullfrog, and a possum isn't always easy! First they will have to overcome their distrust of their fellow creatures and learn to work together. When some poachers invade their home and try to capture their friends, the band must come up with a plan. With a little perseverance and creativity, they create music that turns enemies into friends and unites all the residents of the bayou in this charming tale for emerging readers. The clever use of onomatopoeia allows little ones to sound out words as they "read" along in this musical tale with a Louisiana sound!

Cove Neck

9781467144377

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Looking out over the majestic waters of Oyster Bay, the village of Cove Neck has played an outsized role in the history of Long Island and the nation.

The size of this tiny village belies its significant history. Nestled inside the town of Oyster Bay on Long Island, Cove Neck is only one of thirty-five other villages and hamlets of Oyster Bay, but Cove Neck is arguably the most important. The village played a role in the early days of motion picture history as the location of James S. Blackton and his Vitagraph Studios while Theodore Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill was home to the federal government during the summers of his presidency and remained his cherished residence throughout his life. Even the colonial farm of Mary Cooper still stands in Cove Neck, the hardships of the village's agricultural past detailed in her diary and studied by succeeding generations, even today. Authors John E. Hammond and Elizabeth E. Roosevelt cover the surprising history of Oyster Bay's historic Cove Neck.

Little Laveau

9781941879290

$10.00 $5.00 Save 50%

Arggh , there be pirates in the third adventure of Little Laveau! Join Little Laveau and her pet alligator, Squeeker, as they travel the seas and meet a little pirate with a big attitude. With a taste for the adventure of knowledge, Little Laveau captures some facts on historical characters along with some very important lessons on behavior! Watercolor illustrations full of excitement accompany the tale perfect for emerging readers--whether they live along the Gulf Coast or not!

The Girl from Felony Bay

9781455627455

$15.95 $7.98 Save 50%

No Trespassing signs pop up all around Felony Bay on the eastern coast of South Carolina. Someone is poking around a mystery, maybe the same someone who framed Abbey Force's dad for a terrible crime he didn't commit. This adventure takes middle readers on a breathtaking ride that leads to a surprising betrayal.

The Texas Nutcracker

9781455623310

$16.99 $8.50 Save 50%

In this Texas-themed retelling of the classic Nutcracker story, historical details blend with fiction and magic warps reality at Fort Davis. It's December 24, 1883 and Colonel Grierson has brought Centennia a nutcracker who looks just like a Texas soldier! When the clock strikes midnight the goose feather tree grows as she and the broken nutcracker are transported to a magical realm, where the Rattlesnake King attacks and the Bluebonnet Fairy invites her to a fabulous celebration. Dancing denizens of the Land of the Wildflowers entertain them before the nutcracker soldier tucks her under a cozy quilt. An author's note gives a bit of historical context to this charming version of a familiar holiday tale.

The Twelve Days of Christmas--in Texas, That Is

9781589809246

$16.99 $10.00 Save 41%

Told with a Texas twang, this tale features a dozen icons of the Lone Star state. Clever rhymes count down the days of Christmas, revealing such surprise gifts as silver spurs, oil wells, and armadillos. Festive illustrations fill the pages of this western romp.

The Twelve Days of Christmas--in Texas, That Is

St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church

9781467106511

$21.99 $11.00 Save 50%

Through captivating images and narrative, read why the historic St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church has endured for 150 years as a source of service and faith-based community in the small town of Marion, Massachusetts.

St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church was founded in 1871, when Adm. Andrew Harwood decided to retire in Marion, Massachusetts, and fulfill a promise that he had made to the archangel Gabriel after surviving a fierce storm at sea. Initially a church for Marion's summer residents, it became a year-round church in 1896. In 1899, the national press corps lined up outside the church to glimpse the wedding of the country's most famous journalist, Richard Harding Davis, to artist Cecil Clark. Beginning in 1913, the chapel was enhanced with 11 stained-glass windows designed for the church by Charles J. Connick, the most famous American stained-glass artist of the 20th century. The church was later expanded after the acquisition of adjacent land and the construction of a parish hall, church school buildings, and a new sanctuary. In the 1950s, the church began having full-time rectors. Today, the church has 300 family members on its rolls and will celebrate 150 years in 2021. Judith Westlund Rosbe, a local author, historian, and past president and treasurer of the Sippican Historical Society, has been a resident of Marion since 1977. She is the parish historian of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church and has been a member of the board of directors of the Sippican Historical Society since 1978. This is her sixth local history book about Marion.

Cop's Night Before Christmas

9781589808003

$19.99 $10.00 Save 50%

It's Christmas Eve, and this police officer is on patrol. He encounters Sergeant Kringle, who takes over his patrol so the cop can go home to his family. This whimsical illustrated tale for young readers is a tribute to law-enforcement officers everywhere.

Classic Restaurants of Louisville

9781467144964

$21.99 $11.00 Save 50%

The stories of Louisville's best-remembered restaurants are chock-full of legendary locations, huge personalities and well-loved recipes. Find out how a silly joke about "Hillbilly Tea" became an international sensation. Discover the origins of Casa Grisanti and why there would be no Queenie Bee without it. Enter the "World of Swirl" surrounding the rise and fall of Lynn's Paradise Café. Enjoy menus, memories and more of favorites found across the Derby City through the decades. Author Stephen Hacker serves up this history and more, complete with photography by Dan Dry and John Nation.

Dinosaur Mardi Gras

9781589809666

$17.99 $9.00 Save 50%

Get ready to stomp and chomp to that mambo beat! When carnival time rolls into New Orleans, these hip dinosaurs want to boogie on down. Iguanodon wiggles to the music of a marching band, while Zigongosaurus dances zydeco and Pterodactyal swoops into the crowd. From singing tunes and tossing beads, these big beasts sure know how to party. Laissez les bon temps rugir!

Cincinnati Art Museum

9781467102964

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

Founded in 1881, the Cincinnati Art Museum is one of the oldest art museums in the United States. Public art museums were still rare, especially as far west as Cincinnati. But the city had emerged as a thriving cultural center and calls for an art museum grew, led by the passionate and determined members of the Women's Art Museum Association. Thanks largely to their efforts, a public subscription attracted the contributions required for construction to begin. Eden Park, which overlooked downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River valley, was chosen as the site for the museum. When it finally opened in May 1886, the museum was described as "a gift of the people for the people," acknowledging the crucial role Cincinnatians had played in its establishment. The original building now has eight additional wings; the collection boasts 66,000 works of art, which span 6,000 years of human history; and the museum has inspired and educated generations.

Around Bennington

9781467106245

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

The area around Bennington played an important role in the westward expansion of the United States. The Missouri and Platte Rivers were important travel corridors for indigenous peoples, early explorers, trappers, and pioneers. Railroads revolutionized travel and led to the creation of hundreds of small villages along the rail lines; Bennington, founded in 1887, was one of these villages. The arrival of the automobile and better roads decreased the dependency on rail service. By 1975, the rail line that created Bennington had been abandoned. Bennington benefitted from upgraded roads and highways and from suburban sprawl. In the meantime, the Washington community declined, eventually closing its school and church.

The King Cake Baby

9781455620135

$8.99 $4.50 Save 50%

"No, mon ami! You can't catch me!"

When an old Creole woman bakes dessert on King's Day, she has no idea what shenanigans will ensue. In this New Orleans adaptation of The Gingerbread Man, a mischievous king cake baby escapes his cake! He outruns a praline lady and a waiter at Café du Monde, but can he outsmart the clever baker? Chock full of Louisiana phrases and comic-book-style illustrations, this new take on an old tale brings the Crescent City to life from Jackson Square to the Creole Queen riverboat. This lively story is a great way to introduce children to the sights, sounds, and especially tastes of New Orleans. It even comes with a recipe for homemade king cake--just make sure to keep track of the baby!

The Krewe of Barkus and Meoux

9781455627127

$19.99 $10.00 Save 50%

To the staccato of snare drums and the riffs of jazz bands, a Fat Tuesday ruckus ensues. Two bitter rivals take to Jackson Square to battle for control of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. As the hair flies and the claws come out, the pups in the Krewe of Barkus and the felines of the Krewe of Meoux vie for supremacy of the streets. Amidst swishing tails and dangerous footwork, the cool cats and hot dogs battle in a winner-take-all dance-off! The festive animals compete to be top dog or top cat once and for all. In this "catcophony," who has the right voodoo to claw their way to the top? Will it be the Persians and calicos or the bulldogs and pugs? In this bright, bold, and very hip story of two New Orleans rivals, author and illustrator Lindsay "Bones" Cordero" brings to life the colorful world of the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux.

North Olmsted

9780738561516

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

North Olmsted's history began in 1815 with David Johnson Stearns of Vermont. Stearns was followed to the area by other pioneers from New England, and they established a settlement in the wilderness of southwestern Cuyahoga County. North Olmsted went from being an isolated farming community to a village in 1908 and then to a city in 1951. The stage was then set for it to rapidly grow into a thriving suburb in the last half of the 20th century. North Olmsted's rich heritage is illustrated in this book through historic photographs from the Olmsted Historical Society that highlight the city's residents, businesses, social centers, and schools.

Semi Sam Is a Trucker Man

9781455627004

$19.99 $10.00 Save 50%

Tag along as Semi Sam, from Texas, and his dogs, Mack and Molly, proudly traverse the country, highlighting what makes our nation great. With joyful, colorful illustrations, this picture book for young readers explores every corner of America and honors the men and women who keep food on our tables and the goods on store shelves. From Abilene to Milwaukee and Seattle to Florida, the patriotic trio do what truckers do and help make possible the American way of life.

Nurse's Night Before Christmas

9781589801523

$19.99 $10.00 Save 50%

Saint Emergency Nick pays the hospital staff a surprise visit on Christmas Eve with helpful elves, new supplies, and even a Christmas tree.

Noah and the Eight Trucks of Hanukkah

9781455622030

$16.99 $8.50 Save 50%

Noah is a young boy who loves Hanukkah, but his favorite thing in the whole world is trucks. Why aren't they part of the Hanukkah celebration? In this story, Noah devises a way to have a Festival of Trucks along with the Festival of Lights, each honoring the brave Maccabees.

Around Dripping Springs

9780738585222

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

Now known as the "Gateway to the Hill Country," this small, historic town was once just a stagecoach stop between Austin and San Antonio. Founded by three pioneer families arriving from Mississippi in early 1854, the area was originally occupied by Tonkawa Indians. Despite an increasing pace of growth, the agrarian lifestyle established by the founding families continues to be preserved by farmers and ranchers, and the town remains committed to preserving its history. A local walking tour features a variety of sites, from the namesake Indian watering hole in town to the restored Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead at Founder's Park. Another landmark is the world-famous Salt Lick BBQ, where hundreds of visitors gather nightly to mingle with the locals and enjoy a delicious "taste" of history. Still, the main attractions to life in Dripping Springs continue to be what drew the original founders: simple charm, a family lifestyle, and lifelong friendships--all set in the beauty of the central Texas hill country.

Ben's Chili Bowl

9780738554242

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

From the days when U Street was hailed as "Black Broadway" to the current revitalization and gentrification of the new millennium, Ben's Chili Bowl survived it all. On August 22, 1958, West Indian immigrant Mahaboob Ben Ali and his fiancée, Virginia Rollins, saw their dream realized as they opened a hot dog and chili shop on U Street. They never imagined that Ben's would become world renowned or such a beloved restaurant in the nation's capital. Today visitors to U Street will find a diverse and eclectic mix of residents, music venues, trendy shops, and, of course, "the Bowl." The images in this book provide a look back over the 50-year history of Ben's Chili Bowl, U Street, the Ali family, and the patrons who have helped define Ben's as a vibrant cultural landmark.

Around Germantown

9780738554167

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

Germantown is a new city. Until 1980, Germantown was a quiet, rural community of farms and cows with a few new houses built for employees of the Atomic Energy Commission. When the Maryland-Nation Capital Park and Planning Commission adopted the area, everything changed.

Sacramento's Newton Booth and Poverty Ridge

9781467105293

$24.99 $12.50 Save 50%

In Gold Rush-era Sacramento, turbulent floodwaters chased early citizens to a temporary island--a prominent hill near the Sacramento and American Rivers that came to be known as Poverty Ridge. In the ensuing years, as small farms developed across the southeastern corner of the original city grid, a two-room wooden schoolhouse was erected to serve the educational needs of surrounding families and was named in honor of California's 11th governor, Newton Booth. The surrounding neighborhood came to share the school's name. Since the 1850s, Poverty Ridge and Newton Booth have been home to Gold Rush pioneers, gifted vintners and brewers, devout nuns and nurses, celebrated authors, media giants, and larger-than-life politicians, all with visions of a better life--a California life.