Missouri at War
Part of the Postcard History series
The Show-Me State possesses an enduring military heritage that unfolded several decades before it became a state in 1821 and stretches forth to the present day. Missouri has molded many notable military leaders, such as Gen. John J. Pershing, the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. It has been the site of a Spanish fort, built in the area that is now downtown St. Louis, and serves as the home of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City. These people and memorials continue to generate reminders to its citizens of the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who have fought on behalf of the state and nation.
Part of the Postcard History series
Everyone thinks they know the story of Las Vegas: the showgirls, the gambling, the mob. But Las Vegas has always been much more. Families have lived here since its founding in 1905. After 1931, legalized gaming became the big tourist draw, and following World War II, the town began to market itself as "America's Playground." That is when the famed Las Vegas Strip came into its own and downtown was dubbed "Glitter Gulch." These vintage postcards show how Las Vegas evolved from a dusty railroad town into the "Entertainment Capital of the World," while remaining a city filled with families and pioneering souls.
Bisbee
Part of the Postcard History series
Visually, the Bisbee of today remains a community frozen in time, with Main Street retaining its character from 1910. The discovery of copper deposits in the Mule Mountains brought forth a wealth that enabled a substantial community. Profitable mining ventures and a need for labor drew thousands of miners from around the world to work in Bisbee. These individuals added a distinct flavor to the area. Like countless other Western mining camps, Bisbee evolved from a rough frontier community surviving disastrous fires and floods into a town with a substantial population and solid foundation. Bisbee's seemingly inexhaustible mineral wealth resulted in the community becoming a center of economic and political power in an emerging territory on its way to statehood. It was Arizona's greatest copper camp.
Southern West Virginia
Coal Country
Part of the Postcard History series
Coal was mined in Southern West Virginia even before the state's birth in 1863 but was mostly consumed within a few miles of where it was dug. When the railroads arrived on the scene, they not only provided a means of getting that coal to market, they also brought in trainloads of workers to the sparsely populated region. With the mines generally located in remote, out-of-the-way spots, operators were forced to build housing for those workers and their families, as well as company stores, schools, and churches- everything needed in a small community. Overnight, the nation's demand for coal turned sleepy, little places in Southern West Virginia into boomtowns and helped cities such as Charleston and Huntington grow and prosper as gateways to and from the coalfields.
Altoona
Part of the Postcard History series
The Pennsylvania Railroad was incorporated in 1846 and immediately began the task of finding an all-rail route to connect Philadelphia with Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Railroad surveyed possible routes and arrived on a valley floor at the base of the Allegheny Mountains in 1849 that was primarily occupied by the David Robeson farm. As people arrived for employment opportunities, the railroad company purchased the Robeson farm, laid out the plan of a town, and named it Altoona. Shops were established, and crafts were needed as locomotive and car design and building evolved, all with increasing population and prosperity. Altoona grew from farmland to 75,000 people in 75 years.
Pittsfield
by The Berkshire County Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
Pittsfield is the center of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. For centuries, visitors have traveled trails, railroads, and highways across the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts to enjoy the serene beauty of Pontoosuc and Onota Lakes, shop on bustling North Street, or stay at a fine hotel. Many more moved here from across the country and around the world to work at Pittsfield's farms and factories. Since the early 19th century, Pittsfield has been host to woolen mills and General Electric's factories, hotels and motels, hospitals and schools, and much more. Cultural sites, such as Arrowhead, where Herman Melville wrote Moby-Dick, and Park Square, the location of the first agricultural fair ever held in the United States, continue to attract visitors to the city.
Around Ford City
Part of the Postcard History series
Ford City was once known as one of the fastest-growing communities in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company and the Ford China Company, both established by John B. Ford, made this town the destination of many United States citizens, as well as European immigrants searching for a new life of employment and prosperity. The vintage postcards in Around Ford City reflect the essence of this hardworking, proud, ethnic community. The people, along with the factories, hotels, churches, and many homes, have grown together over generations to form the spirit of Ford City.
Malden
by Malden Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
By the turn of the 20th century, Malden had become a fairly large city and was home to wealthy families, immigrants, and workers. Farms disappeared as factories and businesses of all types and sizes grew. Elisha Converse, the city's first mayor and founder of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, left his mark on Malden by funding a public library and hospital and designating land for development of Pine Banks Park. A vibrant downtown emerged at the intersection of two colonial roads. It became a regional center of shopping and commerce as well as a hub for transportation by train, trolley, or automobile. The early 1900s were marked by the construction of grand residences, business buildings, numerous parks and churches, and many schools. However, by mid-century, many of these institutions had undergone great change, if they had not entirely disappeared.
Wawarsing
Part of the Postcard History series
Established in 1806, the town of Wawarsing is located in the beautiful Shawangunk Mountains in Ulster County. The town is comprised of many small hamlets, as well as the village of Ellenville. The abundance of mountain streams provided electricity to run factories, and in the early 1900s, these communities were flourishing. The Delaware and Hudson Canal opened in 1828 and provided a venue for factories to transport goods. Following the close of the canal in 1898, the Ontario and Western Railroad took over, shuttling summer vacationers from New York City. The vintage postcards in Wawarsing provide views of the Delaware and Hudson Canal, the Ontario and Western Railroad, and a glimpse back to a quieter time when the mountain and valley landscape provided picturesque locations for lovely hotels and boardinghouses.
Harrisburg
Part of the Postcard History series
Harrisburg lies on a broad swath of the great Susquehanna River, punctuated with its distinctive bridges. Founder John Harris ventured beyond the frontier and established a ferry in 1733 that ushered the pioneer migrants as they trickled west. Many stayed on to establish a city that became the legislative seat of America's most industrious state. The unusual vintage postcards in Harrisburg illustrate the history of a city that played an important role in the Civil War and politics of a growing nation. From canals to superhighways, Harrisburg was always one step ahead of others. Birthplace of the steel mill and transportation giant of the North, this city is a story of triumph, tragedy, and rebirth.
Waco, Texas
A Postcard Journey
Part of the Postcard History series
From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local townspeople only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history.
Joliet
Part of the Postcard History series
In 1673, Louis Jolliet and Fr. Jacques Marquette were the first Europeans to explore the Mississippi and the Illinois River valleys. Their explorations took them through what is now Joliet. Founded in 1834 as Juliet, the settlement's future was shaped by several important developments. The Des Plaines River provided an early waterway, and its power gave rise to mills and manufacturing. Native limestone rock beds helped build a 19th-century city, while Joliet quarries employed thousands of men. From the opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in 1848, to the building of the Illinois Central and Rock Island Railroads in the 1850s, to the intersecting of the Lincoln Highway and Route 66 in the 20th century, Joliet became an important hub between rural towns in Will and Grundy Counties and Chicago. Over 200 vintage postcards of Joliet reveal a unique city with a sense of community pride.
Hopkinsville
Part of the Postcard History series
Hopkinsville is an enlightening collection designed to inform, entertain, 0and educate history buffs with images of the Pearl of the Pennyroyal." In this volume, authors William T. Turner and Donna K. Stone have teamed up to present more than 200 vintage images from Turner's personal collection to bring to life the people, events, communities, and industries that helped to shape and transform Hopkinsville. Portrayed in this postcard collection is a sampling of the city's past. Showcased are landmarks and people unique to this area, downtown memories, churches, schools and colleges, hotels, the Black Patch Tobacco War, and leisure activities. Personalities include Confederate president Jefferson Davis and world-famous clairvoyant Edgar Cayce, who made postcard views of the area."
The Saco River
Part of the Postcard History series
From its source in New Hampshire's White Mountains to its mouth at Saco-Biddeford, the Saco River draws visitors and residents alike to swim, fish, canoe, and white-water kayak. The Saco brought tourists to the White Mountains and influenced the development of both large and small towns, shaping their history and creating bustling centers of industry. The Saco River documents the river through postcards from 1905 to the 1940s, when mills dominated the landscape.
Bennington
by Bennington Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
Nestled in the southwest corner of Vermont, Bennington is rich in history and natural beauty. On August 16, 1777, the Green Mountain Boys and militia from surrounding states defeated British troops at the Battle of Bennington. Like other small towns in New England, this agricultural community soon found its waterways dominated by large factories. When manufacturing declined in the early 1900s, the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination. Postcards promoting local scenery, quaint covered bridges, bustling downtown streets, modern amenities, and significant historic sites explained the town's importance to travelers and fostered local pride.
Part of the Postcard History series
Featuring more than 200 vintage postcards, Peoria: A Postcard History captures the changing scenes of the river and downtown Peoria from 1900 to 1950. One of the largest cities in Illinois, Peoria is the seat of Peoria County and lies on the Illinois River where it forms Lake Peoria. Located in the state's central-farm country, Peoria is a manufacturing center known as the "Earth-Moving Equipment Capital of the World." Distilling has also been important in Peoria, which was home to the world's largest distillery, Hiram Walker and Sons, in 1933. Peoria: A Postcard History will allow you to visit "the world's most beautiful drive," as proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt during his visit to Grand View Drive in an automobile manufactured in Peoria Heights.
Peoria, Illinois Revisted in Vintage Postards
Part of the Postcard History series
This delightful follow-up to the first volume of Peoria: A Postcard History guides the reader through the development of Peoria to the twenty-first century. From the Illinois Riverfront to the streets of downtown, these postcards demonstrate the many changes that have taken place in this city throughout the years. The growth and expansion in Peoria have been phenomenal, and this volume allows us to follow the timeline of the city.
Lubbock
Part of the Postcard History series
The city of Lubbock began as a compromise between two smaller settlements known as Lubbock and Monterey. These settlements agreed to combine on December 19, 1890, and by 1891, the combined settlement was elected the new county seat as farmers, ranchers, and settlers began to arrive. In 1909, Lubbock incorporated as a city, and the Santa Fe Railroad sent its first train south from Plainview. The Texas legislature authorized the establishment of Texas Technological College in 1923, and Lubbock won the regional contest for the new university's location. Today Lubbock is the 10th largest city in Texas with an estimated population of 230,000. The Lubbock economy thrives on agriculture, education, manufacturing, and health industries.
Orange
A Postcard Guide to Its Past
Part of the Postcard History series
From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Orange, New Jersey, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.
Spring City and Royersford
Part of the Postcard History series
In 1824, the completion of the Schuylkill Canal gave birth to Spring City, and the opening of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad in Royersford soon followed. Over the years, the "twin boroughs" grew simultaneously, sharing the community and industrial developments that their respective transportation hubs fostered. Spring City and Royersford, through more than two hundred vintage postcards, shares the history of these sister towns: the stove factories, glassworks, and knitting mills that were found on both sides of the river; the floods, fires, and train wrecks that the towns endured; and the bridges, schools, and celebrations that help unite the two communities.
The North Penn Community
Part of the Postcard History series
Sparsely settled in the late 1600s, the area of Montgomery County known as the North Penn region began to be populated in the early 1700s by Welsh Baptists, Quakers, and German Mennonites. The North Penn Community not only highlights the region but also offers detailed accounts of the communities of Lansdale, North Wales, Hatfield, Colmar, Montgomeryville, West Point, and Kulpsville. Postcard images from 1905 through 1970 illustrate many historical sites such as farms, homes, hotels, stores, schools, churches, and other important parts of the community, chronicling the area from its original settlement of the 1700s to the bustling suburb of Philadelphia that it is today.
Cranberry Lake and Wanakena
Part of the Postcard History series
Few New Jersey towns have retained as much nineteenth-century charm as Cranbury. Set in agriculturally rich Middlesex County, Cranbury is known for its shuttered white-clapboard houses, lovely shaded streets, picket fences, and tranquil lake. First settled in 1697, Cranbury came of age more than one hundred years later when it developed into a bustling center with a gristmill, a sawmill, tanneries, blacksmith shops, and other business enterprises typical of small-town America. These images are fascinating: most of them have never before been published, and many of them were donated from family albums and collections. The recollections of many living residents have been included as well, and the stories, anecdotes, and memories breathe life into the images of a by-gone era. The result is a remarkable visual history, both informative and entertaining, that serves to preserve and celebrate Cranbury's proud heritage. Cranbury is a journey into the past that will thrill resident and visitor, young and old alike.
Chicopee
Part of the Postcard History series
The original meaning of "Chicopee" is "place where water rushes." In 1823, Jonathan Dwight purchased the water privilege at Skenungonuck Falls in Chicopee. Five years later, the textile mill had fourteen thousand spindles and nearly five hundred looms, making it the second-largest operation in Massachusetts. By 1831, there were two giant dams, two waterpower canals, and two manufacturing communities on the Chicopee River. During the next one-hundred years, eight Chicopee River companies gained product recognition around the globe: Ames, Belcher, Lamb, Dwight, Stevens, Spalding, Fisk, and Duryea. These vintage postcards illustrate the significant role that manufacturing played in the day-to-day life of this blue-collar community.
Around Utica
Part of the Postcard History series
Around Utica features the work of A. J. Manning, who traveled with his camera through picturesque central New York in the early 1900s. Manning recorded historic events, such as Sherman Notification Day in 1908, honoring William Howard Taft's vice presidential nominee James Schoolcraft Sherman; catastrophes, such as the fires at Utica Free Academy and the YMCA; and nostalgic scenes of everyday life. His images were produced in small quantities as real-photo postcards, which today are quite rare and much sought after by collectors.
Deer Isle and Stonington
by Deer Isle-Stonington Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
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.
New Castle and Mahoningtown
Part of the Postcard History series
Founded in 1798, New Castle was a small borough located at the confluence of the Shenango River and Neshannock Creek. Mahoningtown, a small borough located just south of New Castle, was a thriving community founded in 1836. The two towns boasted flourishing industries, and in 1896, a trolley line was created to run between them. In 1898, Mahoningtown officially became the seventh ward of New Castle. By that time, New Castle was a third-class city, and railroads and steel were the area's major industries. Eventually many important products were manufactured here, including both Castleton and Shenango China, which were used in the White House. New Castle became known first as the tinplate capital of the world and, later, as the fireworks capital of the world. The stunning postcards featured in New Castle and Mahoningtown document the fusion of these two communities. Among the memorable views are the diverse scenery and amusements of Cascade Park and the parade for baseball manager Chuck Tanner, who led the Pittsburgh Pirates to their fifth World Series.
Corning
by Donald Angelo Carapella Jr.
Part of the Postcard History series
In the 1830s, when a feeder branch of the Erie Canal linked up with the Cheumung River, Corning first became connected to the rest of the world. By the 1880s, Corning had become a railroad town with trains going in all directions. Industrial growth in the 1890s led to the rise of businesses and factories, such as Corning Glass Works. Because Corning produced so much glass, it became known as the crystal city and grew into a tourist destination. A town with many accomplishments, Corning was once home to a minor-league baseball team and is the birthplace of Margaret Sanger, a birth control activist who founded the American Birth Control League, which became Planned Parenthood. From the 1890s until the 1960s, the growth of the community's businesses, parks, churches, and recreation were captured in postcards, many never published before.
Sayre
by Sayre Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
Sayre dates to 1783, when a gristmill was built along Shepard Creek. Greater Sayre began around 1870 at a railroad junction near the Susquehanna River. Activity at that junction led to the community eventually named Sayre. Sayre experienced phenomenal growth with the expansion of the Lehigh Valley Railroad operations. Its reputation as a railroad town began to fade after World War II, ending with the demise of the railroad by the 1970s. In its place, Guthrie Healthcare now provides the strongest influence on the town. Today the hospital's position in Sayre is as important as the railroad was in its heyday, both serving as the keystones of a town that thousands call home.
Billerica
Part of the Postcard History series
From its pre-Colonial origins to the hustle and bustle of today, Billerica has remained a thriving village with something for everyone. Surrounded by lakes, rivers, and footpaths that became the building blocks of the state's road system, Billerica's history reflects the growth trends of a young nation--a history steeped in courage, independence, prosperity, and celebration. Originally the Shawshin Wilderness, the fledgling settlement took the name Billerica and was incorporated as a town in 1655. The territory initially included lands that would become parts of Bedford, Tewksbury, Wilmington, and Carlisle. For the next three centuries, farmers, weavers, merchants, millers, and craftsmen sought out Billerica for its agricultural opportunity, potential waterpower, recreational attractions, and strategic travel routes.
Baraboo
by Sauk County Historical Society
Part of the Postcard History series
Like many small Midwestern cities, Baraboo has had the usual share of postcards printed featuring its buildings and landscapes. However, Baraboo's unique place in Wisconsin history provided for a much richer array of subject matter. As the original winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus, along with its proximity to Devil's Lake and its place as a division headquarters for the Chicago & North Western railroad, Baraboo has always provided an interesting setting for postcard images.
Muskogee
Part of the Postcard History series
Muskogee was formed in 1872, when the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (MKT or "the Katy") established a depot on an open plain just a few miles to the south of the confluence of the Arkansas, Grand, and Verdigris Rivers in Indian Territory. A small settlement there soon grew to become the center of political and commercial activity in the territory prior to Oklahoma becoming a state in 1907. Muskogee, once known as the "Queen City of the Southwest," enjoyed major growth after statehood due to oil, cattle, cotton, and the railroads. This book features a diverse collection of Muskogee postcard images that take readers on a trip back in time on a virtual tour of the city.
Key West and the Florida Keys
Part of the Postcard History series
A trip along that magical ribbon of road from the Florida mainland to the "Southernmost City" of Key West makes for an unforgettable journey. Dive the coral reefs at Key Largo's John Pennecamp State Park. Check out the dolphin show at Islamorada. Pack the fishing gear and head out to sea from Marathon. At Pigeon Key, relive the experiences of the workers who built Flagler's Folly, the Overseas Railroad. Climb a historic lighthouse in Key West. Stay at a fancy resort or a mom-and-pop motel. Dine on fresh seafood or just-caught Florida lobster. Awaken to a glorious sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and end the day with a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
Vineland
by Arjorie Moniodis Ingraham
Part of the Postcard History series
In 1861, Charles K. Landis carved the village of Vineland from the western edge of the Pine Barrens. The community quickly attracted a diverse population who farmed and manufactured. A network of railroads enabled the town to ship its produce and products to markets along the East Coast. Vineland was recognized as a cultural mecca as well as a center of civil rights and women's suffrage. Physically the largest "small town" in New Jersey in square miles, Vineland today still attracts newcomers in search of new opportunities, just as Landis hoped for all those years ago.
Lower Bucks County
Part of the Postcard History series
Named by William Penn in 1681, Bucks County is one of the three original counties in Pennsylvania and enjoys a lengthy tradition as an important region of this state. Lower Bucks County is a fascinating pictorial history of the towns that comprise the northern suburban edge of Philadelphia. Surveying the era from 1905 to 1970, the book includes images from the towns of Langhorne, Hulmeville, Trevose, Southampton, Newtown, Tullytown, Richboro, Churchville, Holland, Cornwells Heights, Fallsington, Yardley, Feasterville, Bristol, Oxford Valley, Parkland, and Andalusia. Lower Bucks County portrays the natural beauty of the area's scenery, as well as historic homes, hotels, stores, and schools. Several prominent families are also chronicled, as the county evolves into the bustling communities of today.
La Crosse
Part of the Postcard History series
La Crosse is situated between the Mississippi River and the picturesque bluffs of the Driftless Area. Founded in the 1840s, La Crosse's location at the intersection of three rivers attracted entrepreneurs. Fertile farmlands, scenic coulees, and prosperous industries enticed adventurous East Coasters and immigrants to settle in the area. From the 1850s to early 1900s, a boomtown atmosphere shaped the city's culture and fueled the construction of a distinctive downtown-much of which remains standing today.
Hingham
Part of the Postcard History series
The established neighborhoods of Hingham make up a seashore community that has retained much of its historic charm. The Old Derby Academy, Old Ordinary Tavern, and the Old Ship Meetinghouse church are all local treasures. A trip down Main Street affords extraordinary views of fine Victorian homes and Colonial farmhouses. Hingham was also home to the U.S. armed forces buildup during World Wars I and II. This Colonial settlement truly remains a celebrated all-American town.
Lake Ronkonkoma
Part of the Postcard History series
The town of Lake Ronkonkoma began as a small farming community. By the 1870s, the lake's reputation as a vacation destination was spreading among wealthy New York City residents. The completion of the Long Island Motor Parkway in 1911 made the lake accessible to early automobile enthusiasts, and over time, as more could afford automobiles, the rich and poor alike flocked to its sparkling shores for swimming, boating, and fishing. In 1921, local businessman George C. Raynor created Raynor's Beach, the first in the lake's era of grand beach pavilions. By the mid-1920s, beach pavilions were located all around Lake Ronkonkoma's three miles of shoreline. Lake Ronkonkoma provides a view into the rich history of this unique community and its transformation to a bustling summer resort.
Ridgewood
Part of the Postcard History series
Given that Ridgewood lies within 20 miles of Lower Manhattan, it would be easy to dismiss this little town as another New York suburb. Settled by Johannes Van Emburgh in 1700, this slice of New Jersey was a pivotal safe haven for the founding fathers, such as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Aaron Burr. In 1894, the State of New Jersey incorporated the area as a village, and what followed were 100 years of business and leisure with places like Woolworth's, the Erie Railroad Company, and First National Bank dominating the landscape. Today, Ridgewood serves as a home for those who wish to evade the city life of the boroughs. With its distinct mix of history and comfort, Ridgewood is unique in comparison to other towns in New Jersey and a fine place to call home.
Denison
Part of the Postcard History series
Denison was founded in 1872, when the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (MKT) Railroad established a terminus just south of the Red River. The small town quickly grew to hold a prominent place in the 19th-century American West, and it prospered alongside the railroad, becoming the gateway to Texas from the North. Denison has the distinction of being the birthplace of Pres. Dwight Eisenhower, the site of the first free, graded public school in Texas, and home to beautiful Lake Texoma. This book features a diverse collection of postcard images and takes readers on a journey through Denison's colorful past.
Detroit
A Postcard History
Part of the Postcard History series
Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of neighborhood children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history.
Around Little Rock
A Postcard History
Part of the Postcard History series
Around Marcellus recounts the rich history of a community founded by strong and determined settlers. Marcellus and its neighbors Otisco and Marietta are located just west of Syracuse. Founded in 1794, the town grew largely because of its successful mills and businesses. Its history from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s is portrayed here in clear narrative and some 200 archival images from the Marcellus Historical Society.
Montreat
by Mary McPhail Standaert
Part of the Postcard History series
Montreat is nestled in a cove of 4,500 acres on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville and Black Mountain. Established in 1897 by an interdenominational group largely from the North, it was the first religious assembly to be founded in the Swannanoa Valley. True to its initial charter, Montreat serves as a location for physical and spiritual renewal and as a center for Christian study and practice. In 1906, Montreat was purchased by a group of Presbyterian individuals largely from the South. Today it consists of three entities: the Town of Montreat, Montreat College, and the Montreat Conference Center, which serves the Presbyterian Church (USA). Montreat is also widely known as the mountain home of the Billy Graham family.
Mechanicsburg
Part of the Postcard History series
Mechanicsburg, nestled in Cumberland County midway between Harrisburg, the state capital, and Carlisle, the county seat, was once known as Drytown, Pinchgut, and Stauffertown. Incorporated in 1828 and named for a settlement of mechanics that repaired Conestoga wagons, Mechanicsburg was raided by the Confederates and held for three days during the Civil War. Both the Cumberland Valley Railroad and the development of the inland Naval Support Activity Base influenced the rapid growth of this borough. Since 1924, Mechanicsburg has played host to Jubilee Day, Pennsylvania's largest one-day street fair.
Newport News
Part of the Postcard History series
Within slightly more than 100 years, the sleepy village of Newport News has transformed itself from a sparsely populated region of watermen and farmers to a city known as one of the nation's greatest centers for shipbuilding, scientific research, Virginia history, and scenic sites. Nestled along the eastern coast of Virginia on the James River, Newport News has a colorful and dynamic history intrinsically linked to the surrounding water. As the town filled with people of great energy and enthusiasm, their hard work propelled local industry to the forefront of the city's reputation.
Sarasota and Bradenton
Part of the Postcard History series
From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of Sarasota and Bradenton, Florida, showcases more than two hundred of the best postcards available.
Along the Brandywine River
Part of the Postcard History series
This fascinating new history of the historical river that winds through Chester County, Pennsylvania, and the upper regions of Delaware and emptying into the Christina River in Wilmington, Delaware, showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available. The collected postcards show the countryside as it appeared during the Revolutionary War Battle at Brandywine through the time of nineteenth-century settlements in the region and into the twentieth century.
Iowa City
Part of the Postcard History series
After raucous times on the western frontier during the 1840s and 1850s, Iowa City settled into a relatively sleepy existence while its principal industry, the University of Iowa, was finding its way from obscurity into an important Iowa resource. Its once-too-small-to-succeed university hospital has blossomed into a medical and economic powerhouse. Research in widely varied fields, from space science to microbiology, finds fertile grounds and minds. Big Ten football beckons on fall Saturdays.
Pennsylvania Dutch Country
Part of the Postcard History series
The people of the Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the "plain people," avoid manifestations of modern culture, preferring to live a simple life in accordance with their interpretation of the Bible. The Old Order Amish are considered the most fundamentalist, shunning electric appliances, gasoline-powered vehicles, modern dress, and engaging primarily in agriculture. Since the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a favored vacation destination, postcard publishers have produced scenes of the everyday life of the plain people since the beginning of the twentieth century. More than two hundred of these postcards are meticulously arranged and described in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.