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True Bluegrass Stories: History from the Heart of Kentucky
by Tom Stephens Stephen M. VestFamed pioneer Daniel Boone, upon seeing the Bluegrass region for the first time in 1769, wrote, �From the top of an eminence, we saw with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke.� Centuries later, his sentiments still ring true.In this fast-paced collection of articles from his widely successful �Looking Back� column in Kentucky Monthly magazine, author Tom Stephens delivers a captivating glimpse into Kentucky�s renowned Bluegrass region. Hideaway in the stockades and stations of the pioneers, discover Abraham Lincoln�s Lexington retreat, face off in a duel as Henry Clay did, consume the potent origins of Kentucky bourbon and sober up with the Shakers. All of this and plenty more lie ahead when you explore True Bluegrass Stories: History from the Heart of Kentucky.
Lost Council Bluffs (Lost)
by S. M. SendenNestled in the Loess Hills, Council Bluffs grew from a frontier settlement of wickiups and log cabins. The outpost boomed as a gateway to the West when gold was discovered in California in 1849. The Pacific House and the Ogden House became landmark hotels for the transient population. Meanwhile, residents thrived and cultivated a bustling city with the Masonic Hall, Dohany's Opera House and the Merriam block. None of these once iconic buildings remains today. Author S.M. Senden explores the perpetual rebirth of Council Bluffs through its most important buildings and relates a still unfolding story.
Marblehead in World War I: At Home and Overseas (Military)
by Margery A. ArmstrongThe small seacoast town of Marblehead, in eastern Massachusetts, was the first to answer the call to arms during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Throughout World War I, Marblehead was affected, and the town influenced the outcome. Boasting of the fifth and final naval militia in history, the Tenth Deck Division, Marblehead�s men stood on the front line as the first shots rang out, aimed at the Germans in 1917. It was a town that pulled together, rallied behind their own family and friends while they fought in the trenches of war and stood shoulder to shoulder in their diligent commitment. Historian Margery A. Armstrong delves into the past through articles and letters from those overseas that were first published in the Marblehead Messenger.
Hidden History of Plano (Hidden History)
by Mary Jacobs Jeff CampbellDid you know that Plano once had a winning semipro baseball team? And its own university, boasting a pagoda imported from Malaysia? Or that the city once proudly proclaimed itself the "Mule Capital of the World"? Meet the Native American Planoite who walked in space, the African American entrepreneur who prospered in Jim Crow Texas and the man behind the "mystery stone" uncovered in the Collinwood House. Visit a military tank, a five-hundred-year-old tree and the pioneer cemetery started by a smallpox epidemic. From the town's contributions to World War II to the secrets lurking beneath Collin Creek Mall, unlock the astonishingly large storehouse of Plano's hidden history.
Marblehead's Pygmalion: Finding the Real Agnes Surriage
by F. Marshall BauerAgnes Surriage, it turns out, was more Pygmalion than Cinderella. Her role models were the fiercely independent "codfish widows, "? wives of the early Marblehead fishermen who managed home and family seven months a year without their husbands. In Agnes's version of My Fair Lady, she had to act as her own Henry Higgins while making the often painful transformation from "girl of all works"? at the Fountain Inn to the charming and dignified Lady Agnes, wife of Sir Charles Henry Frankland. After deconstructing the legend for twenty-five years, author F. Marshall Bauer has unearthed a story of money, lust and vindication.
The Great Fire of Petersburg, Virginia (Disaster)
by Tamara J. EastmanOn July 16, 1815, a fire began in a small stable in Petersburg. After only a few hours, almost two-thirds of the city lay in ruins. Citizens stood on the banks of the Appomattox River and watched as wind blew flames from one building to the next. The tragedy claimed a dozen lives and destroyed more than five hundred homes. The fire raged until it was quelled by a downpour of rain. Stories of heroism from firefighters and landowners were left in the aftermath. Author Tamara Eastman describes the city before the fire, the horrific event and the collective efforts to rebuild a stronger city.
Civil War Soldiers of Greater Cleveland: Letters Home to Cuyahoga County
by Dale ThomasThe Civil War interrupted the area around Cleveland, Ohio, in the middle of its great leap into prosperity, redirecting its men into military camps and its industrial strength into munitions and provisions. Dale Thomas roots his story in the letters that kept the ordinary soldiers from Cuyahoga County tethered to their families and friends on the home front, even as they moved from battlefield to battlefield, through sickness and captivity. For many, these letters were the only part of them to make it back--their final legacy to a community they had helped to build.
The Ghostly Tales of Savannah (Spooky America)
by Jessa DeanGhost stories from America's Hostess City of the South have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery!Savannah's haunted history and local legends come to life--even when the main players are dead. From the legend of Rene Rhondolia to the many spirits who haunt the Sorrel-Weed house, this spooky chapter book will keep readers rapt. Dive into suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.
Utahisms: Unique Expressions, Inventions, Place Names & More
by David Ellingson EddingtonUtahisms: Unique Expressions, Inventions, Place Names and more ranges from the characteristic to the bizarreThe Beehive State's iconic vistas are singular and distinctive. So too are its colloquialisms, peculiar place names and landmark firsts. Confusion from local dialect ultimately thwarted a would be robber in Salt Lake City. The proper pronunciation of Tooele might surprise visitors, while residents still debate its origins. And, phrases once thought to be solely Utahn often prove otherwise. The world's first department store was born out of xenophobia and religious persecution in 1869. Martha Hughes Cannon followed through on Brigham Young's encouraging women to become physicians. She later became the first female state senator in the United States, defeating her own husband. Examining everything from phonetics to history, BYU Linguistics Professor David Eddington reveals the roots of what is truly, uniquely Utah.
Painting the Town Orange: The Stories behind Houston's Visionary Art Environments (Landmarks)
by Pete GershonHouston's sprawl has come with controversy, but it has created a blank canvas for the public art community. It all started in the Telephone Road Place subdivision, where retired mail carrier Jefferson Davis McKissack built the Orange Show, an extraordinary and eccentric monument to self-reliance, hard work and, yes, the fruit itself. McKissack's installation spawned more of its kind in the Bayou City, like the Beer Can House, the Flower Man's House, Pigdom--one woman's "shrine to swine"--and a flourishing art scene committed to preserving Houston's art environments. Author Pete Gershon tells the stories of these sites, their creators and the members of Houston's unique art community, all set against the backdrop of the city's quirky history..
The Ghostly Tales of San Diego (Spooky America)
by Selena FragassiGhost stories from San Diego, California have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! The haunted history of San Diego comes to life—even when the main players are dead. Wander into the shops of Old Town, just keep your eye out for shoppers who might have died long ago. Or check into the Cosmopolitan Hotel for a glimpse of guests who checked in but never checked out. Dive into this spooky chapter book for suspenseful tales of bumps in the night, paranormal investigations, and the unexplained; just be sure to keep the light on.
Madison's Heritage Rediscovered: Stories From A Historic Kentucky County (American Chronicles)
by Dr. Fred Engle Jr. Dr. Robert GriseFor over forty years, Dr. Fred A. Engle Jr. and Dr. Robert N. Grise have devoted themselves to researching and preserving Madison County�s history and cultural legacy through their weekly newspaper column, �Madison�s Heritage,� in the Richmond Register. Now, Kathryn Engle has sifted through the breadth of their impressive body of work, compiling a fascinating collection of historical tales from this remarkable Kentucky county. Beginning with stories of the hardscrabble pioneers who first settled the area and continuing with tales of Madison County�s local legends, important places and pivotal events, these diverse stories embody the essence of this historically rich area. Few know the heritage of this region as well as Engle and Grise. Journey back with them through the annals of Madison County�s history.
Hallowed Halls of Greater New Orleans: Historic Churches, Cathedrals and Sanctuaries (Landmarks)
by Deborah BurstSince Louisiana is the only state in the union to organize itself through parishes and not counties, it should come as no surprise that its places of worship are pillars of its communities. The Big Easy is no exception. From New Orleans to the Northshore, stately churches, grand cathedrals and rustic chapels act as reliquaries and safeguards of community history and strength. The stories of their builders, architects and leaders exemplify development and the immigrant experience in Louisiana. Their parishioners embody the diverse and personal meanings of faith and devotion. Join Deborah Burst as she explores the rich history of churches of New Orleans.
Concord and the Civil War: From Walden Pond to the Gettysburg Front (Civil War Series)
by Rick FreseWhile the shots of the Civil War were largely fired far from Walden Pond, Concord did more than its part in fighting for "cause and comrades." As its boys marched into battle, the Concord Soldiers Aid Society sent clothing and sustenance to the battlefront. The community hosted leaders of the antislavery movement, including Emerson, Thoreau, the Alcotts and Frederick Douglass. Brave Concordians such as Louisa May Alcott joined the fray as nurses alongside more than 450 soldiers from Concord. Author Rick Frese explores Concord's Civil War, at home, on the road, in battles and encampments and on through to victory.
Puyallup in World War II (Military)
by Hans ZeigerLike every community in America, young men from Puyallup put on the uniform and went off to fight in far-off parts of the world in 1941. Neighbors of all ages joined the war effort as factory and farm workers, air raid watch and Red Cross volunteers and war bond drive supporters. A relocation camp at the Puyallup Fairgrounds called Camp Harmony housed interned Japanese American citizens. And dozens of young servicemen who left home never returned. This is their story--a small Pacific Northwest town and a group of what Tom Brokaw dubbed the "Greatest Generation." Author Hans Zeiger preserves the journey of extraordinary people amid a violent and changing world.
The Man from Vermont: Charles Ross Taggart, the Old Country Fiddler
by Adam R. BoyceIn 1895, East Topsham's Charles Ross Taggart set his sights on becoming a traveling musical humorist. His uproarious ventriloquist and musical performances brought rave reviews in his Vermont community. He was soon thrust into the world of the lyceum and Chautauqua circuits, journeying far and wide across North America. His forty-three-year career spanned some of America's most exciting and most difficult times, and his folk performances--especially his beloved "Old Country Fiddler"--brought smiles to all who experienced them. He was also an innovator in the entertainment industry, recording his music and humor, as well as appearing in one of the first "talkie" films. Discover the remarkable story of "The Man from Vermont" who helped Americans forget their troubles when they needed it most with his mimicry, stories and fiddling.
The Boca Raton Resort & Club: Mizner's Inn (Landmarks)
by Donald Curl Boca Raton Historical SocietyThe Boca Raton Resort & Club, originally known as the Cloister Inn, was designed by famed Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner to house prospective investors in his plannedBoca Raton development. His dream, however, dissolved with the end of the Florida land boom and the 1926 Miami hurricane, as his Cloister Inn was acquired by utilities magnate ClarenceGeist. Geist hired hotel architects Schultze and Weaver to design a major addition to the hostelry. Reopened as the Boca Raton Club in 1930, it became a principal employer and theprimary tourist attraction in Boca Raton in ensuing years, its revival linked in many ways with that of the small community.Join architectural historian Donald Curl as he chronicles the lovely landmark that opened in 1926 as a small inn on Lake Boca Raton and has since become the city's most exclusive destination.
Revolutionary Chestertown: Loyalists and Rebels on Maryland's Eastern Shore (Military)
by Theodore CorbettCalls for independence shook the wealthy gentry with their grand mansions in Chestertown and their patchwork of prosperous Kent County plantations and farms. It was in the interest of the upper echelons of Kent County society to remain loyal to the Crown. Yet the Revolutionary spirit did ignite, as Chestertown protested parliament's duty on tea and sent flour to aid the poor in the closed port of Boston. While militia was raised, Kent County's true value to Washington was as a key breadbasket for his Continental army. Still, the revolutionaries found it difficult to gain a firm foothold. Religious and social tensions created a charged atmosphere as Loyalists burned rebel mills to the ground only to be in turn attacked by rebel mobs. Author Theodore Corbett unravels the complexities of a community thrust into war.
Murder in Lexington: VMI, Honor and Justice in Antebellum Virginia (True Crime)
by Daniel S. MorrowIn 1853 Lexington, Virginia, Mary Evelyn Anderson, one of the most beautiful women in the Commonwealth, spurned the advances of a young law student named Charles Burks Christian. Humiliated and heartbroken, Christian confronted, stabbed and killed the man he believed responsible for Anderson's decision. The man was her cousin, Thomas Blackburn, a VMI cadet and student of Stonewall Jackson. What followed was a circus of inept and brilliant lawyers dragging members of the most prominent families in antebellum Virginia through and all-too-public discussion of seduction, courtship, honor and self-defense. Author and historian Daniel S. Morrow chronicles the history of the events that led to Blackburn's death, the trials that followed and the impact on Lexington, its two colleges and the men and women who would soon find themselves engaged in a great Civil War.
Oklahoma Cherokee Baskets (American Heritage)
by Karen Coody CooperThe forced relocation of fifteen thousand Cherokee to Oklahoma nearly two centuries ago left them in a foreign landscape. Coping with loss and new economic challenges, the Cherokee united under a new constitution and exploited the Victorian affinity for decorative crafts. Cherokee women had always created patterned baskets for everyday use and trade, and soon their practical work became lucrative items of beauty. Adapting the tradition to the new land, the industrious weavers transformed Oklahoma's vast natural resources into art that aided their survival. The Civil War found the Cherokee again in jeopardy, but resilient, they persevered and still thrive today. Author and Cherokee citizen Karen Coody Cooper presents the story of this beautiful legacy.
Wisconsin Literary Luminaries: From Laura Ingalls Wilder to Ayad Akhtar
by Jim HigginsFrom the humble Ingalls family cabin in the woods to Ayad Akhtar's multicultural conflicts, the Badger State's stories and imagery have long inspired. Explore how Aldo Leopold and Lorine Niedecker drew on their close observations of the natural world. Contrast the distinct novels that Jane Hamilton and Larry Watson set on Wisconsin apple orchards. Delve into Thornton Wilder's enduringly popular Our Town and the wild fiction of Ellen Raskin and Cordwainer Smith, who wrote like no one else. Join Jim Higgins for a detailed account of ten notable Wisconsin writers that blends history, literary criticism and fact.
Chattanooga's Robert Sparks Walker: The Unconventional Life of an East Tennessee Naturalist (Natural History)
by Alexandra Walker ClarkThe legend that was Robert Sparks Walker began in a log cabin outside Chattanooga called Spring Frog Cabin, a humble abode built by a Cherokee naturalist in 1750. Walker would continue in the footsteps of that Cherokee to become synonymous both with Chattanooga and nature, penning thousands of articles, poems and books as a naturalist. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, Walker gained international fame for his work, yet his largest impact remains in his native Tennessee. He helped to found the Chattanooga Audubon Society, including preserving his childhood home through Audubon Acres. Walker is remembered throughout the state for his nationally syndicated nature column, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Environmental Stewardship is given in his name. His life was one of adventure, reflection and a deep devotion to the understanding and preservation of nature. Local author Alexandra Walker Clark, granddaughter of Robert Sparks Walker, celebrates the life of this Scenic City pioneer.
The Springs of Steamboat: Healing Waters, Mysterious Caves and Sparkling Soda
by Dagny McKinleySteamboat Springs is world renowned for the ski mountain that overshadows the town, but it was the multitude of springs that drew Ute Indians and then the first white settlers to this valley. John Crawford, Steamboat's founder, envisioned a town where people traveled from around the world to take part in the healing properties of the waters. The various springs were believed to cure everything from rheumatism, gout and dyspepsia to virulent blood disorders and skin diseases. While some springs have disappeared and others were sacrificed in the name of progress, many--including Old Town Hot Springs and Strawberry Park Hot Springs--still beckon visitors to bask in their sparkling waters.
The Streets of Dayton, Texas: History By The Block (History & Guide)
by Caroline WadzeckThe history of Dayton, Texas, is memorialized at every street corner and intersection. Street signs throughout town bear the names of characters in Dayton's past, the people who helped the city become what it is today. They are war heroes, a governor, business leaders, developers and everyday men and women dedicated to making Dayton a better community. Descend the Old Spanish Trail that cuts through the center of town, and meet those who settled what once was a western wildness. Author Caroline Wadzeck examines and explains the history of many of the town's streets, preserving their contributions and legacy in Dayton history.
Wicked Watertown: History You Weren't Supposed to Know (Wicked)
by W.F. Jannke IIIWatertown is a perfect place to raise children, where criminal mischief and scandal are the rare exception to the rule. Discover over a century and a half's worth of exceptions. Travel back to the origins of Watertown, when the house next door might be a brothel and the man on the street might be a serial killer. Hear the tale of poor ninety-five-year-old Mary Kodesch, whose son left her to freeze to death in the barn, and that of the two young boys whose 1890 campaign of arson targeted everything from a church to a box factory. Then press on into the violent history of the Cleveland Street poltergeist house as Jannke delivers a thrilling combination of thoroughly researched fact and inexplicable mystery that will leave the hardiest Watertown residents torn between eagerly turning the next page and nervously looking over their shoulders.