Name: Legendary Locals of Bay City
Brand: Ron Bloomfield
SKU: 9781467100199
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Legendary Locals of Bay City

9781467100199

$24.99

Who would have thought a city would one day stand where there was nothing but swamp, with long grass—where there was scarcely an opening in the woods, and in which the wolves made plenty of howling. This observation was made by Leon Trombley, one of the first to try to settle in this part of the Michigan frontier in the early 1800s. His nephews, Mader and Joseph, would soon follow and ultimately become noted among the area's first permanent residents. The residents of Bay City have always aspired to be legendary, whether by design, accident, or sheer determination. Annie Edson Taylor, the area schoolteacher turned daredevil who would ride her Bay City–built barrel over Niagara Falls (and survive!), is only one among a large group of local legends that includes Olympic champions, community leaders, artists, musicians, scholars, philosophers, and historians.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bay City, isbn: 9781467100199

Legendary Locals of Beacon Hill

9781467101493

$24.99

In the 1600s, William Blaxton set up his farmstead on Beacon Hill because it was far from the bustle of the city. John Hancock's uncle Thomas Hancock built his mansion on the hill in the 1700s so he could enjoy a rural lifestyle. In the early 1800s, future mayor of Boston Harrison Gray Otis moved to Beacon Hill because it was the new and fashionable neighborhood he was helping create. Louisa May Alcott, in the 19th century, and Robert Frost, in the 20th, lived on the hill because the literary set loved the neighborhood's picturesque streets and close quarters that made it easy to get together for conversation. The 9,000 residents who live in this small, urban neighborhood of Boston today appreciate its walkability, convenience, quirkiness, and neighborliness. The historic architecture, ever-burning gas lamps, rugged bricks, and one-of-a-kind shops prove that the best of the past can live comfortably with the novelty of the present.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Beacon Hill, isbn: 9781467101493

Legendary Locals of Bel Air

9781467102377

$24.99

Residents of Bel Air, a small county seat located in northern Maryland, played inordinately large roles in the evolution of the state and nation. Bel Air boasts two Maryland governors, William Paca and Augustus Bradford; the fi rst woman elected to the Maryland State Senate, Mary Risteau; as well as Milton Reckord, whose 65-year military career is unequaled. Other local legends include radio personality Diane Lyn, artist Jim Butcher, and Kimmie Meissner, the youngest member of the 2006 US Olympic team. There are villains as well. The civil rights era brought the mysterious 1970 explosion that rocked the town on the eve of H. Rap Brown's scheduled trial in the Bel Air Courthouse. Peruse the pages of Legendary Locals of Bel Air and fi nd generations of talented and passionate people who turned a wilderness town into a thriving suburban center that still manages to maintain its unique beauty and sense of community.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bel Air, isbn: 9781467102377

Legendary Locals of Bend

9781467102278

$24.99

A fascinating mix of local legends who could be characterized as the right people, in the right place, at the right time arrived in Central Oregon during the past century and a half to make Bend the fascinating city it has become. Some of these people—explorer John Charles Fremont, publisher George Palmer Putnam, economist William A. Niskanen, and World's Greatest Athlete Ashton Eaton among them—gained national prominence and even global stature. Others were and are more ordinary people who have done and continue to do extraordinary things in an extraordinary place, a small but singular city of some 80,000 souls astride the Deschutes River at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bend, isbn: 9781467102278

Legendary Locals of Berea

9781467100151

$24.99

A diverse immigrant population that arrived to work in Berea's sandstone quarries, plus the academic atmosphere of a liberal arts college, provided a distinct cultural heritage uncommon in American suburbia. The town has inherited a strong work ethic and deep spiritual values from early Bereans. Consider Dr. William Pierce, first resident pastor, who gave the town a stamp of culture. Capt. Edward Kennedy, Civil War veteran and survivor of the tragic Sultana explosion, served Berea in nearly every elected capacity. Mary Elmore, elected to the Berea school board years before the 19th Amendment passed. Modern-day Berea has its legends, too, like Arthur Bassett, NASA astronaut; Daisy G. Collins, federal administrative law judge; John-Michael Tebelak, creator of Godspell; Frances Millward, known as the Mother Teresa of Berea; and dozens more.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Berea, isbn: 9781467100151

Legendary Locals of Bethlehem

9781467100830

$24.99

Since its founding in 1741, many extraordinary people have called Bethlehem home. Teacher Polly Blum introduced needlework to her Moravian Seminary students in 1818 and soon received a request from the wife of Pres. John Adams for one of their pieces. In 1932, Sam Born established Just Born Candy Company, maker of the famous marshmallow Peeps. Dorothy Stephenson was the first female executive for Bethlehem Steel Corporation. Reggie Cora was the first Hispanic to serve as a county detective. Musicians, artists, and athletes have also contributed to the cultivation of this city. Gelsey Kirkland joined the New York City Ballet and became the dance partner of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Frank Mikisits hosted a Hungarian music radio show for 40 years, preserving the music of his childhood. John Spagnola played in 11 NFL seasons. Legendary Locals of Bethlehem chronicles more than 200 residents who through leadership and courage have made Bethlehem a wonderful place to live.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bethlehem, isbn: 9781467100830

Legendary Locals of Boise

9781467101660

$24.99

Boise of the 21st century is very different from the tiny community established in 1863 at the crossroads of the Oregon Trail and the road to the Boise Basin gold mines. Originally known as Boise City, it existed as a distribution center for supplies and fresh food for miners. The development of irrigated agriculture and the expansion of transportation networks during the 20th century and an influx of pioneers from many regions of the United States helped the city grow into a technology center during the 21st century. Early residents like Tom and Julia Davis helped create a city filled with green parks and walking paths; author and illustrator Mary Hallock Foote brought Boise to the attention of the nation with her writing and illustrations; businessmen J.R. Simplot and Joe Albertson established local businesses that grew to national companies. The music of Curtis Stigers, the literature of Anthony Doerr, and the athletic prowess of Kristin Armstrong have helped focus attention on Boise, which is now recognized as one of the country's most livable communities.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Boise, isbn: 9781467101660

Legendary Locals of Boston's South End

9781467101127

$24.99

From the South End's early years as an upper- and middle-class residential district to its time as an immigrant and rooming house neighborhood and then to its recent urban renewal, residents have shaped its legacy and its place within the city of Boston. Locals have worked in common to make the South End a safe and vibrant community for over two centuries. Notables such as architect Gridley J.F. Bryant, preservation advocate Arthur Howe, and pedestrian advocate Ann Hershfang contributed immensely to the built environment. Residents like settlement house leader Robert Woods, immigrant and author Mary Antin, politician and activist Mel King, urban gardener Betsy Johnson, and lawyer Harry Dow, to name a few, shaped minds and lives alike. Add to their ranks artists like Allan Rohan Crite and Kahlil Gibran, jazz club owner Joseph Walcott, longtime restaurateurs such as the Foley and Manjourides families, and bar owner and gay rights advocate Leo Motsis and a true picture of the South End's history and diversity begins to emerge.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Boston's South End, isbn: 9781467101127

Legendary Locals of Bozeman

9781467102360

$24.99

From its inception as a supply town during Montana's gold rush in the 1860s, Bozeman has attracted visionaries, leaders, and pioneering thinkers. Bozeman's first mayor, John V. Bogert, established a precedent for keeping the city clean, safe, and orderly. City commissioner and tireless worker Mary Vant Hull spearheaded efforts to build a new library and to expand local parks and trails, and early physician Dr. Henry Foster successfully performed one of the first caesarean sections in Montana. Incredibly talented outdoor advocates and athletes like mountain climber Alex Lowe and long-distance runner Ed Anacker have complemented Bozeman's outdoor lifestyle. An emphasis on art, music, and culture began in the 1860s with piano and voice sensation Emma Weeks Willson. Today, artist Jim Dolan's sculptures are enjoyed all over town, and illusionist Jay Owenhouse wows children and adults with his live shows. Inspiring individuals like Cody Dieruf, who passed away from cystic fibrosis at the age of 23, and dedicated streetcar driver Larry O'Brien have added kindness and courage to local life.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bozeman, isbn: 9781467102360

Legendary Locals of Bristol

9781467101394

$24.99

The story of Bristol is the story of America, played out on the small stage of a lobster claw–shaped peninsula at the heart of Narragansett Bay. From the massacre and displacement of the first Americans to the rise of the merchant class; exploration; slavery; war and peace; the Industrial Revolution; waves of immigration—all these wildly disparate facets of the American experience have been represented and reflected within these 20 square miles. Bristol has been home to patriots and pirates; ministers and murderers; captains who dominated at the helms of whalers, battleships, and 12-meter sailboats; larger-than-life industrialists; Hollywood and Broadway royalty; artists, writers, musicians, and culinary visionaries. But the bulk of the threads in Bristol's remarkable tapestry are not bold-colored silk, bright metallic, or rich cashmere—most are simple and natural, unremarkably structured and hued, but each one quietly doing its part to form the strong, tightly-woven foundation of this very special place.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Bristol, isbn: 9781467101394

Legendary Locals of Brookline

9781467101370

$24.99

For its first 75 years, Brookline was a bucolic area of Boston, with rolling hills and low-lying salt marshes. Named Muddy River by its residents after a shallow tidal estuary bordering Roxbury, Brookline had no more than 50 families inhabiting it when it was incorporated as an independent town on November 13, 1705. Long regarded as a liberal, progressive community, Brookline is a model of how an effective town government can positively impact the life of its citizens. Brookline boasts numerous Nobel Prize winners—doctors, scientists, and researchers who have made enormous strides in their fields. Brookline shares Boston's strong literary tradition, with residents like poet Amy Lowell and mystery writer Dennis Lehane. Brookline's pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, with many residents who eschew cars and shop locally, attracts many small-business owners such as Dana Brigham and Seth Barrett. Brookline has been home to a number of sports luminaries like Larry Bird, Terry Francona, and Robert Kraft. Famous politicians include the 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who was born in Brookline; former governor Michael Dukakis; and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. Legendary Locals of Brookline tells their stories, as well as the stories of some of the lesser-known heroes and humanitarians who make Brookline a great place to call home.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Brookline, isbn: 9781467101370

Legendary Locals of Broomfield

9781467101509

$24.99

The city of Broomfield had its beginnings in the howling wilderness of the late 1850s. At first, the settlement was little more than two stage stops along a treacherous route to California. The Church family operated Church's Crossing Stage Stop, a day's ride from Denver on the Overland Trail. Over many years, other pioneer families settled in: the Graves and Crooks families, the Browns, Nissens, Wrights, Koziseks, Archers, Hansens, Shaws, Brunners, and more. Some of these families claim five or six generations in the area. A century passed before Broomfield began to grow into the city it is today. In the late 1950s, a group of investors began building Broomfield Heights. As young families began moving in, the farm community was transformed into a suburban city, guided by local notables such as Don DesCombes, George Di Ciero, and others. Perhaps the most admirable aspect of the city's history is the enormous amount of work done by community-minded volunteers. Their story is one of selfless enthusiasm, of hard work with no reward except a better place to live.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Broomfield, isbn: 9781467101509

Legendary Locals of Buckeye

9781467102001

$24.99

In 1884, Malie Monroe Jackson began and named a canal Buckeye in honor of his native state, Ohio, the Buckeye state. In 1886, Thomas Newton Clanton added 10 miles to the canal. The following year, he applied for a post office, and on March 10, 1888, the post office, named Buckeye, was established. Clanton platted a townsite and named the town Sidney, though why he chose that name remains a mystery. Beginning in 1910, advances in transportation put the community on the map, and Sidney became Buckeye. Hugh Watson, founder of the Buckeye Valley Bank, became the town's first mayor in 1929. On January 1, 2014, Buckeye became the newest city in Arizona. This newest volume also celebrates today's Buckeye settlers, such as Levi Beard, Tony Youngker, Clemie Arnold, and Bob Doster, DVM, updating Buckeye's colorful history of notable residents.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Buckeye, isbn: 9781467102001

Legendary Locals of Burlington

9781467100663

$24.99

A bustling lumber and trading port on the shores of Lake Champlain founded by Ethan and Ira Allen in the 1780s became the city of Burlington in 1865. With a current population of almost 43,000 residents, Burlington is still Vermont's Queen City, consistently nationally ranked for quality of life and as a great place to both raise a family and to retire. It is not just the beautiful scenery and endlessly interesting weather that makes Burlington desirable but also the amazing people and businesses of Burlington that make it unique. Burlington is the hometown of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream; Horatio Nelson Jackson, the first man to drive an automobile across the continental United States; the Lake Champlain Chocolate Company; first lady Grace Coolidge; the Vermont Pub & Brewery, one of the nation's first brewpubs; philosopher and educator John Dewey; the world-renowned jam band Phish; a small army of accomplished and eclectic artists; and more interesting coffee and tea shops than almost any other small city in the country.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Burlington, isbn: 9781467100663

Legendary Locals of Cabarrus County

9781467102193

$24.99

In calling for the region's separation from Mecklenburg County in 1792, John Pioneer Paul Barringer set a high-spirited standard for future legendary locals of the nascent Cabarrus County. New communities flourished on the former homesteads of Robert Harris and Paul M. Dayvault, and the county was subsequently transformed by devoted civic leaders such as John Washington Carriker, Jonas Cook, A.L. Brown, J. Carlyle Rutledge, Martha Melvin, and Allen T. and Ella Mae Small. Cabarrus County citizens, like Glenn McDuffie, the famous kissing soldier of World War II; Corine Cannon, the first African American woman to work in the textile mills; and Margaret Hagerty, the Guinness World Records–holding senior citizen marathon runner, often tread where others recoil. Kannapolis-born Ralph Earnhardt started a racing dynasty here, while other natives found their fortunes elsewhere, including record producer Marshall Sehorn, NFL superstar Natrone Means, and broadcaster Beth Troutman. Cabarrus County's people have always been its most valuable resource, and their inspirational and exhilarating stories are collected in this keepsake edition.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cabarrus County, isbn: 9781467102193

Legendary Locals of Camas and Washougal

9781467101035

$24.99

The first pioneers of Camas and Washougal were primarily farmers, drawn by fertile soil and river transportation. As the paper mill in Camas and the woolen mill in Washougal got their starts, merchants, doctors, and educators followed. These early citizens shaped their new communities as city leaders, school board members, and founders of civic groups. Clarence Bishop purchased a defunct Washougal mill to expand his family's Pendleton Woolen Mill enterprise. Former Camas mayor Nan Henriksen's vision and planning prepared the city to achieve the economic strength it has today. Farmer-turned-businessman Alfred Hathaway generously donated land for a Washougal school and park. Charles Farrell, successful merchant, was the first registered voter in Camas and went on to hold numerous leadership roles. Warmhearted Washougal physician Karl Stefan made house calls until his retirement in the late 1980s. Legendary Locals of Camas and Washougal also features current citizens who carry on the influential tradition of past leaders.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Camas and Washougal, isbn: 9781467101035

Legendary Locals of Carlsbad

9781467102261

$24.99

Born from opportunity and a promotional scheme hatched by founding father Charles B. Eddy, Carlsbad started life as a tent city on a desolate landscape. As the investment money started to flow, the Pecos River was harnessed through the creation of irrigation, which turned the region into a rich, fertile valley. As tuberculosis swept the nation, hundreds of new settlers arrived in Carlsbad for the arid climate. Legendary Locals of Carlsbad celebrates their descendants who forged the community of today. Learn about socialite Cesarine Graves, daredevil and Mr. Welcome Frank Kindel, actors Dan Blocker and Bruce Cabot, drag racer Dick Harrell, newscaster Linda Wertheimer, astronaut F. Drew Gaffney, and baseball star Cody Ross, to name but a few. Included also are the tales of the trials and heroism shown and faced by all the veterans of wars that Carlsbad provided, especially the World War II veterans of the Bataan Death March, the Vietnam War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Legendary Locals of Carlsbad

9781467102339

$24.99

A collision of cultures in a seaside resort community, Carlsbad sits on a seven-mile stretch of white-sands beach idyllically located on the Pacific coast of north county San Diego. The idea of Carlsbad began in the late 1880s when two small groups of entrepreneurs ascended, simultaneously, from both the north and the south. The first group discovered natural mineral springs, which they promoted to tourists as having healing powers. As a result, the town became a very popular resting point for the rich and famous when traveling by train from Los Angeles to the famed Del Mar horse races. Subsequently, the Mexican Revolution began to the south and drove a second group of visionaries to Carlsbad. Thus, the quaint downtown area, known as the Village, was created along with a vibrant Barrio. Incorporated in 1952, Carlsbad remains, today, a tight-knit community of multigenerational and uniquely talented locals.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Carlsbad, isbn: 9781467102339

Legendary Locals of Carmel

9781467102162

$24.99

Early Carmel settlers Silas Moffitt and William Kinzer found the area to be abundant for hunting and the soil rich for farming. Quaker in origin, the town's quest for importance in education was forefront and remains so today. With other dedicated leaders through a time of rapid growth in the mid-20th century, Robert Hartman and Dale Graham set the standard to make Carmel High School a respected rival in academic, sports, and extracurricular competitions. Beautiful art galleries, anchored by the Evan Lurie Building, dot the rejuvenated downtown Arts & Design District where Colonel Trester's blacksmith shop and O.W. Nutt's hardware store once stood. A far cry from tented summer church revivals, world-class musicians and performers now take the stage of the Palladium, an acoustically perfect and visually magnificent performing arts center. Visionary mayor James Brainard seeks a sixth term and hopes to continue on the same path of growth and renewal. The city has been voted one of America's best places to live, and Carmel's varied and colorful residents have been proving this since the 1830s.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Carmel, isbn: 9781467102162

Legendary Locals of Carmel-by-the-Sea

9781467102018

$24.99

A place whose history has long been a source of fable and fascination, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a community whose ancestors summered by the sea and ultimately stayed through the seasons. After founders Frank Powers and Frank Devendorf populated the once-barren potato patches with artists and academicians, it became a place defined as much by legends and landscape as by the characters who came to Carmel. Whether it is the clear light that attracted photographers Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Doug Steakley, and Bob Kolbrener; the whisper in the trees, the rhythm of the waves, and the stillness at dawn that seduced writers Mary Austin, Robinson Jeffers, Jack London, Bob Campbell, Rick Masten, and Jane Smiley; or the unbridled beauty in a majestic mountain, surging sea, or verdant valley that drew in artists Mary DeNeale Morgan, William F. Ritschel, E. Charlton Fortune, Mari Kloeppel, Carol Chapman, and Loet Vanderveen, the truth is that Carmel-by-the-Sea gets in one's soul and makes its home there.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Carmel-by-the-Sea, isbn: 9781467102018

Legendary Locals of Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo

9781467100656

$24.99

The Hayward area is a region in California made up of a city, Hayward, and two unincorporated towns, San Lorenzo and Castro Valley. The three communities share a common history, but each has unique individual stories—such as failed gold miner and entrepreneur William Hayward, who established a stagecoach stop and boardinghouse in 1851 that quickly attracted a diverse group of settlers and led to the establishment of the city of Hayward. Other legendary locals include Castro Valley historian Lucille Lorge, whose grandfather owned the first business in Castro Valley; English sailor Harry Rowell, who jumped ship in San Francisco Bay and was later known as the King of the Rodeo for his rodeo stock; and San Lorenzo Village developer David Bohannon, who changed the San Lorenzo farming area into a sprawling suburban center and the first planned community during World War II.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo, isbn: 9781467100656

Legendary Locals of Center City Philadelphia

9781467101417

$24.99

Philadelphia is a hard mistress when it comes to honoring native talent, and the city has more than its fair share of notable figures. Consider colorful politicians like Frank Rizzo and Richardson Dilworth, international celebrities like Grace Kelly, sports legends like Connie Mack, Philadelphia Museum of Art icons like Anne d'Harnoncourt, or national radio personalities like Terry Gross. Business tycoons such as John Wanamaker and Russell Conwell, founder of Temple University, made many contributions to the city. Pearl Buck, author of The Good Earth, and Christopher Morley, America's G.K. Chesterton, created legacies of their own. Other legends like the nearly forgotten Agnes Repplier, a world-famous essayist and contemporary of Henry James, and poet Daniel Hoffman, the designated US poet laureate in 1973–1974, have helped enrich the city's literary reputation. There are Marian Anderson, Mario Lanza, and Hollywood actor Kevin Bacon, whose fame is equaled by his city planner father, Edmund. Architects like Frank Furness, Louis Kahn, and Vincent Kling helped transform the city into an international destination. And there are many notables looming outside the margins of this book, waiting for their day of discovery.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Center City Philadelphia, isbn: 9781467101417

Legendary Locals of Charleston

9781467100557

$24.99

Charleston was founded in 1670 by people recruited in the coffeehouses and pubs of London. They were a diverse and interesting group that created a vibrant, sophisticated city in the wilderness. This book tells the stories of people in each era of the city's history. There is a second-grade class photograph that contains a mayor, an admiral, and the grandfather of a senator; Christopher Gadsden, who is buried in an unmarked grave because he feared his enemies would defile his body; and Isaac Hayne, who was hanged by the British for being a traitor. There is Mary Moultrie, who led the strike of hospital employees that earned equal pay and fair treatment for nurses. Today, Shepard Fairey, Stephen Colbert, and Tim Scott keep Charleston's reputation for rebelliousness alive.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Charleston, isbn: 9781467100557

Legendary Locals of Chattanooga

9781467100281

$24.99

Since its founding in 1816, Chattanooga has seen the rise of many extraordinary citizens, including Rev. T. Hooke McCallie, Civil War pastor; mayor and industrialist John Wilder; Benjamin Franklin Thomas, who established the nation's first Coca-Cola bottling plant; and Adolph Ochs, a successful newspaperman who went on to purchase the New York Times. Bessie Smith sang her first blues here, while the city's railroads hummed to the tune of Glenn Miller's Chattanooga Choo-Choo. Leo Lambert brought Ruby Falls to the public, while Garnet Carter's Tom Thumb Golf, the nation's first miniature golf course, became part of his future attraction, Rock City. Antique Annie Houston garnered one of the country's grandest collections of glassware in her barn on the east side of town. Celebrities Reggie White and Samuel L. Jackson also grew up in Chattanooga. Legendary Locals of Chattanooga celebrates these and many other personalities who have helped make Chattanooga a unique and energetic city.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Chattanooga, isbn: 9781467100281

Legendary Locals of Cheboygan

9781467101615

$24.99

Founded as a lumbering town in the mid-1800s, Cheboygan has transformed over the years to be something much less simplistic and much more dynamic; so, too, have its people. While some of Cheboygan's residents played important roles in business or commerce, others made their mark through philanthropic work, service to the community, or just by their demeanor. History is as much about people as it is about events—people like Gordon Scoop Turner, who came to Cheboygan for a few months but ended up staying for a lifetime. There are businessmen like Millard D. Olds, who became one of the most successful lumbermen at a time when others were leaving town, and George M. Humphrey, the 55th treasurer of the United States. An eye towards the community has also made some residents legendary, such as Joyce and Quincy Leslie. And, of course, there are those whose history is shrouded in controversy, including Sheriff Fred Ming, under whose authority a Native American village was burned to the ground. Whatever their story, these locals have contributed to the character and history of Cheboygan.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cheboygan, isbn: 9781467101615

Legendary Locals of Chicago Lawn and West Lawn

9781467102155

$24.99

Nestled in the middle of the southwest side of Chicago are the neighborhoods of Chicago Lawn, West Lawn, and Marquette Manor. All three border picturesque Marquette Park, which intertwines their histories. The pages of Legendary Locals of Chicago Lawn and West Lawn are filled with tales of people who make up the story, or, in some cases, add spice to the story of this section of the city of Chicago. Highlighted locals include the lady known as the Witch of Wall Street and the Roman Catholic priest who took her to court to save his parishioners from deadly disease, the gentlemen known as the Dean of 63rd Street and the Mayor of 69th Street, as well as the Polka King and the Father of Little League. Through their actions, the people featured have impacted the neighborhood. It may be due to acts of kindness or dedication to a cause; they might be builders; they might be gangsters; they might be store owners, but they are all interesting figures.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Chicago Lawn and West Lawn, isbn: 9781467102155

Legendary Locals of Chugiak-Eagle River

9781467101363

$24.99

Homesteading in Alaska was not an obvious lifestyle choice for most people in post–World War II America. In an age of gleeful consumerism, early settlers of Chugiak-Eagle River made a decision to live simply. Yet a simple life and an easy one were two different things. Many raised their own crops and a few, such as the Pippels, the Tatros, the Glenn Briggses, and the Vanovers, created larger-scale farming ventures. Other entrepreneurs, such as Paul Swanson, thrived in the frontier environment, taking on multiple enterprises to fill gaps in the area's services. Out of this can-do atmosphere sprang a number of artists, musicians, and performers. The Chugiak Belles dance group revved up audiences at the annual Spring Carnival, and the Chugiak Players staged a variety of dramas and comedies. Eagle River homesteaders Arthur and Eleanor Braendel helped found the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra and performed with them for 60 years. Radio host and homesteader Ruth Briggs sang and traveled with the original Anchorage Concert Chorus. As the area matured and schools grew, athletes began to thrive, creating their own legacy. More legendary locals are being minted every day.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Chugiak-Eagle River, isbn: 9781467101363

Legendary Locals of Cincinnati

9781467100021

$24.99

Founded in 1788 along the Ohio River, Cincinnati was the major city in the Northwest Territory for several decades. As it has developed into its third century, Cincinnati's innovations, service, manufacturing, arts, and athletics mark it as a place with a vibrant and varied heritage. The contributions of interesting and unique personalities add to the city's dynamism: William Holmes McGuffey and his creation of a nation's textbooks; civil rights activists Ted Berry, Fred Shuttlesworth, and Marian Berry; iconic personalities like baseball star Pete Rose and silent film actress Theda Bara; grocery entrepreneur Barney Kroger; cooperative education creator Herman Schneider; polio vaccine pioneer Albert Sabin; Joseph Strauss, the design engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge; Paul Brown, one of the NFL's greatest coaches; Henry Heimlich, whose Heimlich maneuver has saved countless lives; and Benadryl inventor George Rieveschl. But it is also the philanthropists and business leaders; the cultural and political figures; the teachers and community workers; and even the intriguing characters and everyday citizens who make Cincinnati an interesting place on the map. This book tells their stories.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cincinnati, isbn: 9781467100021

Legendary Locals of Cleveland

9781467100298

$24.99

In 1796, when Gen. Moses Cleaveland founded the settlement on Lake Erie's shores that would become the city of Cleveland, he opened the way for many dynamic, visionary, and diverse individuals who would not only help Cleveland prosper as one of the greatest cities in the Midwest, but also give the city its unique character. Mobster Danny Greene's fate was sealed by a car bomb and his life was later immortalized in film. Vernon Stouffer helped revolutionize the frozen food industry and the way Americans eat. Almeda Adams refused to let her disability keep her from making contributions in education and music. And Zelma Watson George found success in theater and, later, politics as a goodwill ambassador and a delegate to the United Nations. Legendary Locals of Cleveland chronicles the fascinating stories of citizens who have impacted the city in political, social, philanthropic, business, educational, scientific/medical, entertainment, and even criminal areas.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cleveland, isbn: 9781467100298

Legendary Locals of Cohoes

9781467100915

$24.99

From the establishment of the Iroquois Confederacy to the American Revolution, followed by the Erie Canal and the rise of the Industrial Revolution, Cohoes has played a significant role in the American story. With these great epochs in history have come numerous legendary individuals who have left distinctive marks, from Hiawatha, leader of the Iroquois, to Gen. Horatio Gates, who defeated the British at Saratoga, to leaders of industry like David Wilkinson and Robert Johnston. Cohoes has also been witness to great educators including Chester Arthur, who went on to become president, and notorious political figures like Big Mike Smith. Grace Reavey was the first women appointed to municipal office in New York State, and Virginia McDonald was the first woman elected mayor in the state. The many small businesses that continue to be the lifeblood of the community cannot be forgotten, including the nationally renowned Mohawk Paper and Uncle John's, the quintessential small town diner. These are just a few of the many threads that make up the fabric of the history showcased in Legendary Locals of Cohoes.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cohoes, isbn: 9781467100915

Legendary Locals of Columbus

9781467100885

$24.99

Columbus, Indiana, is a vibrant small city known for its modern architecture and for housing the world headquarters of Cummins, Inc., a global manufacturer of engines and engine components. Since its founding in 1821, Columbus transformed from a mostly agricultural town into a center of manufacturing and commerce, unusual for a town its size. Along the way, many colorful individuals played significant roles in the city's history. Names of early settlers—including Irwin, Perry, Marr, Glick, and Crump—formed the backbone of a growing community. As industry expanded throughout the county in the 19th century, names of enterprising individuals included Mooney, Lincoln, Brown, and Reeves. After the turn of the 20th century, some businesses faded away as new ones appeared and new names such as Cummins, Noblitt, and Hamilton emerged. Over the years, the Irwin-Sweeney-Miller family played a large role in Columbus's development as a livable city. Numerous others also left their marks in big and small ways creating a unique place that has been labeled by various national publications as safe, playful, beautiful, historic, and architecturally significant.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Columbus, isbn: 9781467100885

Legendary Locals of Concord

9781467101967

$24.99

The land now called Concord was originally inhabited by the Abenaki people and the Penacook tribe. Concord's first settlers, such as Ebenezer Eastman, began laying out the Plantation of Penacook, as it was known in 1725, along the fertile fields of the Merrimack River. It was incorporated in 1734 as Rumford and then renamed to Concord by Gov. Benning Wentworth in 1765. Concord experienced a surge in transportation and manufacturing in the 19th century, producing the Concord Coaches, Prescott Pianos, and steam boilers. As Concord celebrates its 250th anniversary, the city flourishes as the state capital and has a thriving community of restaurants, entertainment, and culture for all to enjoy. It retains its town sensibility as it plans for the continued growth of the local economy. Today's civic leaders, like Byron Champlin and James Carroll, work conjointly with business leaders, such as Tom Arnold of Arnie's and Juliana Eades of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, to build and enhance Concord's cultural, social, and economic identity.

Legendary Locals of Concord

9781467101011

$24.99

The area that would soon be known as Concord had barely been settled in May 1771 when nine of its young men courageously orchestrated what many regard as the first colonial attack against the British crown. Their gunpowder plot blazed a trail for future legendary locals, from the industrial and philanthropic dynasties of the Cannons and Coltranes to African American vanguards Warren C. Coleman and Mable Parker McLean. With unparalleled passion and, often, Southern sass, Concordians stand up for their beliefs, from Confederate officer Rufus Barringer to crusading newspaperman James P. Cook to bulldozer-defying preservationist Mary Snead Boger. Hometown hero Quincy Collins credits his upbringing for anchoring his sanity while a prisoner of war, and the city's splendor has attracted celebrities like enigmatic screen siren Elizabeth Threatt and The Sound of Music star Daniel Truhitte to settle here. Whether we know them as Bear, Mr. Democrat, Mayor Mac, or Humpy, they are the favorite sons and daughters of Concord and their stories—from the inspirational to the comical—are collected in this keepsake volume.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Concord, isbn: 9781467101011

Legendary Locals of Coppell

9781467102216

$24.99

Coppell has produced a wealth of personalities that could have leapt from the pages of a novel. The town's early days brought John and Sarah Stringfellow, who helped found the town's oldest church, and Josiah and John Record, a father-and-son duo who were victims of lynching. The coming of the Cottonbelt Railroad created the mystery of town namesake George Coppell. The town was home to farmers like domino-loving Buren Ledbetter and sharecropper W.A. Ottinger. It had its own "Floyd the Barber" (Floyd Harwell), as well as Jo Jackson, the librarian known to most as the "Bird Lady of Coppell." The town has produced a wealth of heroes like Carroll Kirkland, who was killed in World War II, and Jacob Schick, a decorated veteran of the Iraq War. It is also a town that has turned tragedy into triumph through stories like Todd and Tara Storch, who transformed the pain of their daughter Taylor's death into the life-giving charity Taylor's Gift. Together their stories tell the story of Coppell, a place that at its heart will always be a small town.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Coppell, isbn: 9781467102216

Legendary Locals of Coventry

9781467101042

$24.99

Coventry was originally part of the Shawomet Purchase deeded to Samuel Gorton. People like Francis Brayton and Joseph Bucklin petitioned the Rhode Island General Assembly to form the new town. During the Industrial Revolution, John Jenckes Kilton and Searles Capwell played roles in the development of mills and businesses. Today, Coventry boasts many second-generation businesses including Crystal Cleansers, owned by William Marcotte, and Maguire Lace & Warping, run by James Maguire alongside his father, Joseph Maguire. Coventry is home to several independently operated businesses as well, such as All Booked Up, owned by Deana Borges, and Summit General Store, owned by the Skaling family. Educators such as Peter Stetson and Julie Lima Boyle followed in the footsteps of Carrie Ina Shippee and Mary Harvey. Many of Coventry's men and women have answered the call to serve their country, including George Potter and Mary Agnes Delehantey. Not many towns can claim as their own a swimmer of the English Channel, a girl who was an ambassador to Alaska, and a recipient of a Field & Stream award.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Coventry, isbn: 9781467101042

Legendary Locals of Covington

9781467101721

$24.99

Covington was a natural place for people to settle. Located on the banks of the Ohio and Licking Rivers, it developed quickly as the urban core of northern Kentucky. Sitting just opposite of Cincinnati, Ohio, it was a great location for travel by both animals and people. Originally owned by Thomas Kennedy, the land was ultimately purchased by Thomas Carneal and John and Richard Gano, and thus the city of Covington was founded in 1815. Not long after its establishment, railroads made Covington their home and many other businesses followed. By 1850, it was the second-largest city in Kentucky. Over its 200 years, Covington has seen many people play a role in its history, development, and reputation. Some are great business and community leaders. Others made tremendous contributions to the arts, and some are notorious. A community is defined more by its people than its buildings and streets. The individuals who have lived and worked in Covington provide a colorful insight into its past. From its founding until the present day, these individuals are a fascinating look into the city's history.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Covington, isbn: 9781467101721

Legendary Locals of Crookston

9781467101578

$24.99

Crookston is in the heart of the fertile Red River Valley. Railroad baron James J. Hill positioned the city to be a hub of transportation, so Civil War veterans and railroad workers settled Crookston first. At Hill's behest, a long tradition of learning how to farm smart started with the Northwest School of Agriculture in 1906. Facing a short growing season, farmers stayed close to the soil and invented better implements to harvest the area's bounty. The tradition of improving technology continues from the century-old practices begun at the Experiment Station. Currently, precision agriculture is taught at the University of Minnesota, Crookston's laptop university. Familiar family names from Crookston's retail sector have prevailed throughout the farmers' cycle of boom and bust. Many other talented personalities shine through, especially those skilled in sports and music. Also included in this volume are unsung heroes for their acts of kindness and volunteerism.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Crookston, isbn: 9781467101578

Legendary Locals of Cullman County

9781467101622

$24.99

In search of opportunity and freedom from oppression, European emigrants boarded ships, leaving behind their ancestral homes. They carved new lives from the unknown wilderness in the American South. The Speegle family settled in what would become southwest Cullman County, and the Brindley family claimed lands to the north. From the historic Streight's Raid exploit of the Civil War to the agricultural and social development of this region of northern Alabama, these early pioneers marched into history. In 1865, Col. Johann G. Cullmann, who was disillusioned with the anarchism in his native Germany, also sought new opportunity in America, eventually settling in Alabama. After being enticed by Colonel Cullmann's descriptive words of the area's virgin timber and fertile soils, ﬁve German families joined him. Encouraged by what they found, optimism flourished, word spread, and Cullman County's destiny was set. Its growth has been constant, and, today, its expansion is propelling the area to new heights of economic prominence.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Cullman County, isbn: 9781467101622

Legendary Locals of Daytona Beach

9781467102223

$24.99

Since the 1920s, Daytona Beach has sold itself as The World's Most Famous Beach, which, while not literally true, does suggest a city with a big personality and large plans. The people in these pages contributed to that personality and made those plans. These people include Matthias Day, the Ohio industrialist, educator, inventor, and newspaper editor who founded and gave his name to the new city in 1876; Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of former slaves, who founded the university that bears her name with five little girls, a dollar and a half, and faith in God; Bill France Sr., the race driver and promoter who took stock car racing from the beach sands to a state-of-the-art track and built a racing empire; and his son, Bill France Jr., who turned NASCAR into a national pastime. Other notable Daytonans include the builders, writers, artists, rockers, promoters, business founders, educators, journalists, politicians, pioneers, bootleggers, philanthropists, sports stars, and even a dog that made the city what it is today. They come to life in historical photographs from the Halifax Historical Museum, the Florida Archives, and files of the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Daytona Beach, isbn: 9781467102223

Legendary Locals of Decatur

9781467101691

$24.99

A working-class city of 75,000 people on the banks of the Sangamon River and its largest lake, Decatur has a reputation for outstanding individuals with a strong community spirit and an unashamed sense of patriotism. To borrow a phrase from Adm. Chester Nimitz, in Decatur, uncommon dedication is a common virtue. Harold Miller fought at Iwo Jima with a Marine tank battalion, before serving 32 years on the Decatur Police Department. Wayne and Leslie Kent, ministers at First Christian Church, risked their freedom to bring music and encouragement to oppressed believers in the Soviet Union and Poland. George Halas, a Navy veteran, was player-coach for the Decatur Staleys football team (later the Chicago Bears), a charter franchise in the professional association that would become the NFL. Bob Fallstrom, a World War II soldier before working as a newspaper reporter and editor in Decatur for more than 65 years, has promoted numerous community causes. Legendary Locals of Decatur pays tribute to those who have made this community truly unique.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Decatur, isbn: 9781467101691

Legendary Locals of Denton

9781467101653

$24.99

Denton, Texas, was founded in 1857 because residents needed a location near the geographic center of Denton County to house a county seat. The city is located 39 miles north of two larger cities, Dallas and Fort Worth, and the three of them form what is often referred to as the Golden Triangle. Denton, the peak of that triangle, is the North Star, and its residents, past and present, certainly are superstars—superstars such as Bob Rogers, the beloved Piano Man; Mary Evelyn Blagg Huey, a quintessential leader; and Hal Jackson, an ace war hero and lawyer. Their accomplishments burst forth from the chapters of this book to outshine others with their generosity, talents, skills, community activism, adventurous spirits, energy, civic pride, business acumen, courage, and creativity. Citizens of Denton are proud to say, Our history defines our community. The images and words between these covers illustrate why it should be added, And our people define our history.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Denton, isbn: 9781467101653

Legendary Locals of Detroit

9781467100427

$24.99

Detroit sports a very uneven background. The city dates from 1701, when Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac planted the flag of New France, some 75 years before America became a nation. Almost two-thirds of Detroit's history was spent as little more than a frontier military outpost—home to French farmers and fur traders who shared the quarters with the soldiers. But as the 20th century arrived, the impact of the automobile roused the city from its slumber. Within a century's time, the industry set in motion by Henry Ford produced a skyrocketing population, a diverse mosaic of ethnic groups, and levels of culture and affluence rivaled by few other places. The literature of Joyce Carol Oates, the architecture of Albert Kahn, and the music fostered by Berry Gordy enriched life and created the Paris of the Midwest. But growing pains were inevitable: growing racial instability culminated in the insurrection of 1967, inflicting deep wounds yet creating new opportunities for harmony and justice that were capitalized on by Rev. William Cunningham. Today, efforts continue to remove the tarnish from this corner of the Rust Belt.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Detroit, isbn: 9781467100427

Legendary Locals of Dover

9781467100991

$24.99

In 1807, Dover's founders, Christian Deardorff and Jesse Slingluff, carved their dream out of Ohio's rugged wilderness. Their choice of location on the Tuscarawas River would prove wise as local industry benefited from the proximity to a water source. Progress was slow at first, but the advent of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1827 and the steel industry, helped the small town on the river grow into a thriving city. Over time, the city developed its own niche with an opera house, community theater, great museums, and wonderful schools. Out of this uniquely American setting came a cast of interesting and enterprising characters. These include industrialist Jeremiah Reeves, Rear Adm. Herald Stout, Broadway actors Elliot and J.C. Nugent, and Pixar Animation Studios writer and director Bob Peterson. Inspired, yet not defined by their small-town roots, the men and women chronicled in this book represent true Americana and the American dream realized.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Dover, isbn: 9781467100991

Legendary Locals of Dracut

9781467101554

$24.99

Established in 1669 as a small farming village on the banks of the Merrimack River, Dracut's early settlers made their mark during the American Revolution. From French nobleman Louis Ansart, who became an American citizen and settled in the area, to Dracut's own Joseph Bradley Varnum, the town played a pivotal role in the founding of the nation. More recently, Dracut continues to be the home of modern-day patriots such as Michael Monahan, who left college to serve in the Vietnam War, and Capt. John Ogonowski, who gave his life on September 11, 2001. Dracut has been home to numerous other local legends—Dr. Christos Daoulas was the longest-serving Massachusetts school superintendent, and Dennis Piendak oversaw incredible growth and expansion during his 28 years as town manager. Dracut was also home to the indomitable Polly Urquhart, whose name now graces the corner where her store once stood; Rev. Larry Zimmerman, the pastor of the Old Yellow Meeting House for 33 years; and Edmund Murphy, the dean of Massachusetts high school football coaches. These are a few of the many amazing people who came from a town that was once known as simply the wildernesse north of the Merrimac.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Dracut, isbn: 9781467101554

Legendary Locals of East Aurora

9781467101707

$24.99

Nestled along the banks of Cazenovia Creek, East Aurora is a cultural center of western New York State that has flourished because of the diverse talents of its people. Native Americans lived in East Aurora for thousands of years before the first settlers came to the area in 1804. One of the first pioneers, Martha Richardson Adams, carried her infant child on horseback all the way from Massachusetts. East Aurora grew rapidly after the War of 1812, evolving into an important business center south of Buffalo. By the 1880s, the village had become a horse-racing capital, where thousands came to Cicero Hamlin's farm to get a glimpse of his legendary horse, Mambrino King. As the century came to a close, hundreds of creative types were drawn to the Roycroft Campus, where Elbert Hubbard had established an arts and crafts colony. Despite modern developments, East Aurora remains a small village at heart, where the owners of the barbershop, bookstore, pharmacy, coffee shop, theater, and old-fashioned 5 & 10 still greet you at the door.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of East Aurora, isbn: 9781467101707

Legendary Locals of East Boston

9781467102056

$24.99

Once a rural paradise known as Noddle's Island, East Boston is the site of key developments in the nation's history, including the first naval battle of the American Revolution, the creation of the world's fastest sailing ships, the country's first underwater tunnel, and the nation's first public branch library. It has had its share of famous residents, from Colonial governor John Winthrop and repentant Salem witch trial judge Samuel Sewall, to clipper ship builder Donald McKay and the world's first female clipper ship navigator, Mary Patten. Women's suffrage activist Judith Winsor Smith called East Boston home, as did the first Civil War nurse, Armeda Gibbs; Massachusetts governor John Bates; and Boston mayor Frederick Mansfield. Pres. John F. Kennedy's paternal grandparents and father were born in East Boston, where they started their first businesses and political ventures, and the neighborhood has produced numerous community activists, musicians, artists, writers, and athletes.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of East Boston, isbn: 9781467102056

Legendary Locals of Eastpointe

9781467100410

$24.99

Eastpointe was first settled in the early 1800s by Irish and German immigrants, who had traveled to a new country to find a better life. The inherent values of strong education, hard work, and love of home and family have continued throughout the city's history into modern times. In the past 200 years, many locals have become legendary as they strived in various ways to pursue excellence. As notable as the achievements of hometown hero astronaut Jerry Leninger and the athletic power of All-American Ron Kramer, there are also the stories of unsung heroes, which are now told.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Eastpointe, isbn: 9781467100410

Legendary Locals of Edgecombe and Nash Counties

9781467100441

$24.99

The rich agricultural land of northeastern North Carolina was originally settled in the mid-18th century and, in 1777, divided into two counties: Edgecombe and Nash. In 1818, the Battle family established a textile mill that remained in operation for more than 175 years and became the basis for the city of Rocky Mount. The Atlantic Coastline Railroad chose the area as its repair shop in 1899 and, at the turn of the 20th century, the area was booming. Diverse communities produced outstanding educators, groundbreaking physicians, and business leaders. Residents included Olympians, baseball hall of famer Buck Leonard, and basketball greats Phil Ford and Buck Williams. Creative citizens became award-winning musicians, painters, and writers, like novelist Kaye Gibbons and entertainer Kaye Kyser. Military service in conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War included generals, admirals, and a Medal of Honor recipient. Legendary Locals of Edgecombe and Nash Counties celebrates some of the individuals who have left their mark.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Edgecombe and Nash Counties, isbn: 9781467100441

Legendary Locals of Edmond

9781467101233

$24.99

Edmond was settled in 1889 when pioneers claimed the land during the first Oklahoma land run. Located in the heart of America, Edmond is an ever-growing city with more than 80,000 residents. It is found just north of Oklahoma City on historic Route 66. Through the first 125 years, a diverse and interesting batch of people have made Edmond their home. From early leaders such as Milton Kicking Bird Reynolds, founding editor of the Edmond Sun, and Anton Classen, a civic leader and businessman, to present-day business leaders, celebrities, and sports stars, Edmond has had a wealth of remarkable characters. Doctors, ministers, beauty queens, lawmen, firefighters, a former governor, and many other everyday citizens have made Edmond the town it is today. Former mayor Saundra Naifeh once said, Edmond has always been held to a high standard by the people and businesses who call it home. Residents are proud of its heritage and small-town character and values.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Edmond, isbn: 9781467101233

Legendary Locals of El Paso

9781467101875

$24.99

From a small settlement along the Rio Grande to a major metropolitan area at the crossroads of three states and two nations, El Paso has grown immensely. Known as the Sun City, the region has always attracted individuals and families from around the world who were looking to establish roots and make their mark. In the early days, pioneers such as Zach White, Anson Mills, and Joseph Magoffin helped lay a solid foundation on which the city was built. Gunfighters like John Wesley Hardin walked the streets of El Paso, while lawmen like Dallas Stoudenmire did their best to keep them off. Lining the streets of El Paso were, and still are, beautiful edifices designed by famed architect Henry Trost. El Paso's unique location, history, and culture have helped inspire many artists, writers, and musicians, such as Jim Ward, Cormac McCarthy, and Tom Lea. Take a moment and learn about some of El Paso's legendary locals.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of El Paso, isbn: 9781467101875

Legendary Locals of Elizabeth City

9781467101608

$24.99

Elizabeth City is rich in legend and lore. The pirate Blackbeard was a frequent visitor to the area, selling his ill-gotten goods to a willing populace. The Wright brothers made Elizabeth City the first leg of their trips to Kitty Hawk, and they bought materials to build their flying machine from Kramer Brothers, a local lumberyard. Champion nine-ball player Luther Wimpy Lassiter was born and died here. Young Beautiful Nell Cropsey was murdered in 1901; her death is the town's most enduring mystery. Newspaperman W.O. Saunders, editor of the Independent, was known nationally after he walked down New York's Fifth Avenue in pajamas to protest uncomfortable work attire. Young Tamsen Donner, a member of the ill-fated Donner Party, was a teacher here in the 1830s. Fred Fearing's Rose Buddies welcomed boaters to Elizabeth City with homegrown roses and wine and cheese parties. He has entertained Walter Cronkite and Willard Scott, among other luminaries. These are just a few of the stories, mysteries, and legends of Elizabeth City's past and present.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Elizabeth City, isbn: 9781467101608

Legendary Locals of Encinitas

9781467100090

$24.99

Drawn by extravagant promises of a beautiful village of 500 inhabitants, studded with orange trees and grapevines, the Hammond family arrived in Encinitas in 1883 only to find that advertisements had rather overstated the case. Undeterred, these 11 English settlers remained and, in doing so, doubled the town's population overnight. Subsequent pioneers brought wide-ranging talents to this fledgling California coastal town—none more so than the Ecke dynasty, whose flower fields established Encinitas as the poinsettia capital of the world. Today, the city encompasses five distinct communities, and while it boasts many famous celebrities, it is the ordinary folk whose passion and daring have made Encinitas the place their forebears long ago envisaged.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Encinitas, isbn: 9781467100090

Legendary Locals of Estes Park

9781467102308

$24.99

In the 1870s, ranchers Abner Sprague, William James, and Alexander MacGregor raised cattle while the Earl of Dunraven bought land for a private hunting reserve. It was neither cows nor hunting that defined Estes Park, though. Visitors were attracted to its beauty and crystalline mountain air. Inspired by conservationist John Muir, Enos Mills preserved the area's splendor by spearheading the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park while F.O. Stanley welcomed guests to his regal Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's novel The Shining. As cars replaced horses downtown, Charlie Eagle Plume entertained visitors with Indian dancing, and Casey Martin offered children rides on his Silver Streak train. In the off-season when tourists were scarce, grocer Ron Brodie extended credit to the locals, and George Hurt ran lifts for skiers at Hidden Valley. But it was adversity that tested the town and defined its character. After the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood inundated Elkhorn businesses, town officials revitalized the downtown landscape with urban renewal. When the devastating 2013 flood washed out mountain roads and isolated Estes Park, local businesses banded together and were Mountain Strong.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Estes Park, isbn: 9781467102308

Legendary Locals of Eunice

9781467100243

$24.99

Long before C.C. Duson—realtor, sheriff, and state senator—established his town on the Louisiana prairie, Cajuns, Europeans, and Native Americans had forged homes on the isolated site. Then in 1894, Duson's city auction enabled numerous ethnic groups to buy lots in the new town. Railroad construction brought Anglo, African-American, and Irish laborers, while Lebanese and Jewish merchants saw retail opportunities in Eunice. Fearful of war rumors in Europe prior to 1914, German families immigrated to prairie farms. In 1929, Italians arrived as the Mississippi River's flooding disrupted their lives. By the 1930s, the Tepetate oil field was discovered south of Eunice, creating fortunes for Anglo workers. Men from nearby World War II military bases often settled in Eunice after marrying local girls. Eunice saw new arrivals as petrochemical plants and pipelines began construction in the 1950s. The diverse traditions of newcomers blended with the dominant Cajun culture, resulting in the rich gumbo of citizens' lives. Legendary Locals of Eunice celebrates some individuals who have contributed to the vibrant and diverse culture of Eunice through the years.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Eunice, isbn: 9781467100243

Legendary Locals of Fair Lawn

9781467101066

$24.99

Fair Lawn's early history can be traced back to the Lenni-Lenape tribe before the early founders from the 1700s such as Peter Garretson and Jacob Vanderbeck settled the area. Through the years, it has been home to businessmen, entertainers, and even heroes, like police officer Mary Ann Collura who was fatally shot pursuing a suspect. Some have been lifelong members of the community, like Mayor John Cosgrove and state senator Robert Gordon. Marge and Julian Bornstein and Henry Pop Milnes are remembered for their service to Fair Lawn. Two youngsters found success on the Broadway stage with Donna Vivino in Wicked and Trevor Braun in Billy Elliot. Legendary Locals of Fair Lawn highlights a variety of the people and businesses who have contributed to both the town and the country.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fair Lawn, isbn: 9781467101066

Legendary Locals of Fairfield County

9781467100380

$24.99

Local legend says that Marquis Charles Cornwallis, Revolutionary War hero, rode into this area and declared, How fair are these hills and thus, Fairfield County was born.

Fairfield County is a unique blend of tradition, culture, and history. Freedom-seekers, farmers, and religious folks came from the northern trails, while many aristocrats and plantation owners traveled from the coast. These citizens bred a unique and proud folk ranging from sturdy military men who protected their land during the American Revolution and the Civil War to educators who started well-known educational institutions and produced prominent military men and politicians who forever changed the world. Fairfield County is also known for its culture and music. Many recognized beauty queens, artists, musicians, and sports figures hail from this midland region of South Carolina.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fairfield County, isbn: 9781467100380

Legendary Locals of Falmouth

9781467100434

$24.99

The settling of Falmouth is a proud and powerful story with unexpected heroes, remarkable achievers, and unforgettable characters. The faces and stories of Falmouth range from the town's rebellious founding father, Jonathan Hatch, to the much-loved journalist Kitty Baker. Falmouth's past and present have always been marked by exceptional creativity and genius in the arts, sciences, and business. Falmouth, it can be said, is a town with a talent for allowing individuals to follow their unique paths. Witness Rachel Carson pursuing her lost birds and marine life at Woods Hole, Gus Canty pursuing his dreams through town sports, and James Miskell Sr. beginning the 100-year family legacy of Wood Lumber Company. This cavalcade of residents is presented in chapters on Falmouth founders, maritime folk, newcomers, and creative entrepreneurs, and it appeals to all who ever wished to be a part of small-town living.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Falmouth, isbn: 9781467100434

Legendary Locals of Fillmore

9781467101929

$24.99

Since its beginning as a Southern Pacific Railroad town 100 years ago, Fillmore has been the setting of many legends and true tales, like the St. Francis Dam disaster, the 1994 earthquake, and the Hollywood film shoots. Joaquin Murietta hid in the hills, and the story of the T. Wallace More murder in Rancho Sespe in 1877 was the murder of the century. Rancho Camulos, owned by the del Valle family until 1924, signifies the last of the Californios. Today, it is owned by the descendants of August Rubel. Tales of the sycamore tree abound, and it is an icon on Highway 126, as is the tower of the Sanitary Dairy, which was ordered from the Sears, Roebuck & Company in Chicago. Oil was discovered early in Shiells Canyon and brought Texaco to town. The fruit industry prospered, and Sunkist was welcomed. Hugh Warring installed indoor plumbing in the Piru Mansion. The likes of Booty Sanchez, Marcelino Woody Ybarra, Gene Wren, Kevin Gross, Jim Fauver, and Dorothy Shiells still influence the community.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fillmore, isbn: 9781467101929

Legendary Locals of Fitchburg

9781467101103

$24.99

Fitchburg was incorporated as a town 250 years ago. Many of the original 40 family founders served as Minutemen, beginning the tradition of volunteers like Orlando Boss, Henry Spooner, Norman Tucker, and Richard and Thomas Bresnahan serving in the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. Led by strong businessmen who also were public servants such as Alvah Crocker, Sylvanus Sawyer, Rodney Wallace, and George Simonds, the city grew to 40,000. Fitchburg has always welcomed immigrants who have enriched the community's history. Mayor Lisa Wong is the first Asian American mayor to have been elected in Massachusetts. Named an All-America city in 1970, Fitchburg remains proud of its heritage, celebrates its past, and anticipates the future. Legendary Locals of Fitchburg provides another historical view in the city's sestercentennial year.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fitchburg, isbn: 9781467101103

Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park

9781467101882

$24.99

In 1906, Cord Meyer Development Company purchased 600 acres in Whitepot and renamed it Forest Hills after its high elevation of rolling hills and proximity to Forest Park.

After the Russell Sage Foundation acquired 142 acres and Grosvenor Atterbury and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. partnered, the Forest Hills Gardens, founded in 1909, became America's earliest planned garden community. When Henry Schloh and Charles Hausmann of the Rego Construction Company came upon farmland in Forest Hills West, they renamed it Rego Park in 1923 after their slogan, REal GOod Homes. Between the Tudor and Colonial landmarks, one can sense the footsteps of a few hundred notables who granted soul to the community and society. At the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, imagine the Beatles landing in a helicopter in front of screaming fans in 1964, or when Althea Gibson became the first African American to win a US national tennis title in 1957. Forest Hills High School was a cornerstone for notable alumni, such as composer Burt Bacharach; musical duo Simon & Garfunkel; Bob Keeshan, who portrayed Captain Kangaroo; and the first space tourist, Dennis Tito.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Forest Hills and Rego Park, isbn: 9781467101882

Legendary Locals of Fort Collins

9781467100618

$24.99

Fort Collins began as a small Army outpost and grew into a community of more than 150,000, a city formed and developed by those who have chosen and today choose to live here. In this book, readers will encounter hardy pioneers who endured hardships almost unimaginable today and innovators who brought industry, commerce, and a college; generous people, businesses, and institutions who have freely given back to the community in a variety of ways; participants in Fort Collins's thriving cultural life embracing a spectrum of interests and enthusiasms; and ordinary people living everyday lives who have done extraordinary things or had remarkable experiences. This book honors individuals such as Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned expert on handling cattle and spokesperson for autistic people, and Tom Sutherland, freed from captivity in Iran after seven years, along with many other memorable people.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Collins, isbn: 9781467100618

Legendary Locals of Fort Lauderdale

9781467102209

$24.99

From the first settlers, the Lewis family in the 1790s, to the New River Settlement led by William Cooley in the 1830s, to the arrival of Frank Stranahan in 1893, Fort Lauderdale is an "old" young town. Named for the Second Seminole War fort commanded by Major Lauderdale, the town incorporated in 1911. The land boom of the 1910s-1920s brought an influx of people including publicist Commodore Brook, architect Francis Abreu, developer Charles Rodes, and businessmen Moe and Mack Katz. Following the economic downturn after the 1926 hurricane, the postwar boom transformed the sleepy town into the tropical paradise and tourist destination that it is today. Hotelier Bob Gill, developer James Hunt, "Crazy Gregg" Newell, and entrepreneur Wayne Huizenga led that charge. Legendary Locals of Fort Lauderdale also tells the story of groundbreaking civil servants such as Easter Lily Gates and Andrew DeGraffenreidt, civil rights activists Eula Johnson and Dean Trantalis, educators Mae McMillan and Sister Marie Schramko, and sports stars Katherine Rawls, Chris Evert, and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Lauderdale, isbn: 9781467102209

Legendary Locals of Fort Myers

9781467100182

$24.99

From its beginning as a military installation in the Second Seminole War through the postwar booms of the 20th century, Fort Myers has had its share of famous residents and heroes, from Thomas A. Edison to Olympian Al Oerter, from musician Billy Nalle and football Hall-of-Famer Deion Sanders to world-renowned artist Robert Rauschenberg. But beyond being the winter home of such famous residents as the Edisons and Fords, the City of Palms has been fertile ground for local legends, both admirable and notorious. County commissioner Wild Bill Towles burned down the county courthouse so he could build a modern one—and got lots of help. Plucky 10-year-old Margaret Mickle set out in a rowboat and got a private meeting with a former president of the United States on demand. Nurse LaVeta Allen defied Jim Crow laws to save the life of a black woman, knowing it would get her fired. Such are the raucous, comical, and touching histories of those who made a difference in Fort Myers.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Myers, isbn: 9781467100182

Legendary Locals of Fort Pierce

9781467101271

$24.99

Whether it was homesteaders and dragoons or cowboys and Indians, they all clashed in the Wild East of early Fort Pierce. A natural inlet through the barrier island into the Indian River Lagoon created the perfect location for two Seminole War forts: Pierce and Capron. After the Civil War, the Reuben Carlton family moved their cattle to the area's free range. Today, Alto Bud Adams Jr. runs the famous Adams Ranch from its Fort Pierce headquarters. Some time after the Carltons, Elizabeth and C.T. McCarty arrived, she to teach and he to plant pineapples and citrus. Growers like the Bernard Egan family continue to produce prize Indian River fruit. Generations of Summerlin fishermen made their living from the sea. The watered paradise still lures sport fishermen such as Terry Howard, ecotour operators like Lisa's Kayaks, and charter captains like Captain Mark. African Americans farmed, labored, and enriched the cultural environment, culminating in the success of artists such as Alfred Hair. In Legendary Locals of Fort Pierce, the town's diversity is illuminated through vignettes of its legends. Among these are Edwin Binney, the creator of Crayola crayons, and Edwin Link, the inventor of the Link flight simulator.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Pierce, isbn: 9781467101271

Legendary Locals of Fort Wayne

9781467102100

$24.99

Fort Wayne sits astride the confluence where the St. Joseph and St. Mary's Rivers form the Maumee River. Though occupied for over 10,000 years, its modern history begins just over 200 years ago with Gen. Anthony Wayne and his Miami nemesis, Chief Little Turtle. The pageant of Fort Wayne's history includes traders, industrialists, politicians, athletes, and movie stars. Included here are such notables as Hollywood's Carole Lombard and Shelley Long, Ian Rolland of Lincoln Life, Big Boy's Alex Azar, gangster Homer Van Meter, football's Rod Woodson, inventor Philo Farnsworth, and over 150 more.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Wayne, isbn: 9781467102100

Legendary Locals of Fort Worth

9781467101349

$24.99

Fort Worth is the City of Cowboys and Culture—and where the West begins. Its citizens highlight the Texas can-do spirit and the determination and compassion to make a difference, to be legendary. When Buckley (B.B.) Paddock persuaded the railroad to lay track west of Dallas, a city was born and so was opportunity. Cowboys like T.J. Ryon rode into town with their cattle. J. Frank Norris preached against the vices in Hell's Half Acre while Jennie Schueber tried to rally support for a free library. Feisty entrepreneurs like Ninnie Baird and John B. Laneri baked bread and sold pasta noodles. Cowtown also boasts such notables as Edna Gladney, who helped countless orphans find a home; the Clark brothers, who brought Texas Christian University home; and Claude R. Platte, who bravely served as a Tuskegee airman. These fine folks are just a sampling of Fort Worth's fascinating—and sometimes infamous—characters.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fort Worth, isbn: 9781467101349

Legendary Locals of Foxborough

9781467101158

$24.99

The story of a community is best told through the stories of its people. And Legendary Locals of Foxborough by veteran journalist Jeffrey Peterson aspires to do just that. Relying heavily on newspaper files and Foxborough Historic Commission archives, Peterson introduces readers not only to the movers and shakers who made headlines over the past two centuries but also to scores of common folks with decidedly uncommon stories: E.P. Carpenter, 19th-century industrialist and visionary; E.H. and B.B. Bristol, brothers whose Foxboro Company ushered in decades of unprecedented prosperity; outsized personalities like Betty Friedmann, Al Truax, and Herb Seltsam; lanky Gene Conley, Boston Red Sox pitcher and Boston Celtics center; Alex and Sonja Spier, who fled postwar Europe to establish a local real estate empire; beloved Deerfield Academy headmaster Frank Boyden; and renowned educators John Ahern, Mabelle Burrill, and Steve Massey. Images and biographical text on these and other remarkable residents provide a delightful retrospective documenting the rich and spirited community of Foxborough.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Foxborough, isbn: 9781467101158

Legendary Locals of Fruita

9781467102292

$24.99

New York City poet and newspaper editor William Pabor headed to Colorado in 1870, heeding Horace Greeley's advice to "go West." After helping to establish Greeley, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins, Pabor continued west over the Rocky Mountains and founded Fruita as a family-oriented, agrarian-based community in 1884. Since its inception, Fruita has attracted farmers, ranchers, shopkeepers, entrepreneurs, writers, and visionaries, who all came in search of community spirit and the wide-open spaces. The area has also been fertile ground for fossil hunters, and Fruita has both its own fossil, Fruitafossor windssheffeli, and its own dinosaur, Fruitadens haagarorum. Fruita is also known for its unusual characters, including a headless chicken named Mike and a feline journalist named Charlie the Cat. From the 1910 apple queen Mabel Skinner to the pizza queens, Anne Keller and Jen Zeuner, of today, presented here are just a few of the stories of Fruita's always fascinating legendary locals.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Fruita, isbn: 9781467102292

Legendary Locals of Gallup

9781467125673

$24.99

Geography has conspired to make Gallup, New Mexico, a special place with unique people and a colorful history. It has been a place of struggle and extremes where cultures have clashed, mixed, and melded. Gallup is a community that is simultaneously challenging and uplifting, heartrending, and redemptive. To local Native Americans, the Navajo and Pueblo people, Gallup is located on their ancestral homeland and bordered by their sacred sites. To early settlers, Gallup was a place that permitted transportation across the continent, first by foot and horseback, then by stagecoach and railroad, and ultimately, by America's Mother Road, Route 66. With its founding, Gallup became a place where European, Asian, and Hispanic immigrants—with hands that built America—came to construct a transcontinental rail line, harvest timber, mine coal, and establish businesses, while seeking a new life among the region's original native people.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Gallup, isbn: 9781467125673

Legendary Locals of Grand Prairie

9781467102179

$24.99

Grand Prairie is a city on the edge. Citizens have been innovators with a love for family and community. Alexander Dechmann traded land to insure a railroad depot; early settlers started schools for their families; and the police department hired one of the first women. Leaders at nonprofits such as Brighter Tomorrows not only helped the local community, but also helped develop services in surrounding communities. Business owners and volunteers have strong family traditions of giving back to Grand Prairie, and civil servants have loyalties for extended years of service, such as Ruthe Jackson and her family, who provided support for both businesses and the community. From the early settlers to today's city, Grand Prairie is built upon loyalty.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Grand Prairie, isbn: 9781467102179

Legendary Locals of Grand Rapids

9781467100236

$24.99

Grand Rapids began as an Indian trading post. Louis Campau became the first permanent white settler in 1826. Today, the city on the Grand River is Michigan's second largest with a population of nearly 200,000, more than triple when adding the surrounding metropolitan area. Though best known as the hometown of President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, the city lays claim to others who are, or have been, in the national spotlight as well. These include astronauts Roger Chaffee and Jack Lousma; sports figures Stan Ketchel, Dave Rozema, Mickey Stanley, and Chris Kaman; screenwriter and director Paul Schrader; actors Lorna Gray and Dick York; writers Meindert DeJong, Chris Van Allsburg, and Bich Ngyuen, to name just a few. In these pages are legends named Meijer, Van Andel, De Vos, Trotter, Belknap, Hekman, and Wege. Others are lesser known, or even unknown, but their heartwarming stories make them equally worthy of legendary status.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Grand Rapids, isbn: 9781467100236

Legendary Locals of Greater Miami

9781467100823

$24.99

Guided by a visionary widow named Julia Tuttle, the city of Miami truly came into being in 1896 and has not stopped growing. Halfway through the last century, the apparent domination of land, population, and business by whites and—for decades—repressed African Americans became tested and balanced by the victims of the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Beyond that, hundreds of thousands of others from Spanish-speaking lands came to create what truly is an international metropolis. The chapters of Miami's existence are delineated by those legendary locals who came earliest; those who were the pioneers; those who established businesses that endured; those who were the builders and visionaries; those who served in politics; those who came from other places; those who created, built, and extended educational and arts opportunities; and those who embraced the placid environment and natural beauty of the Magic City.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Greater Miami, isbn: 9781467100823

Legendary Locals of Greater Utica

9781467100847

$24.99

Utica's neighborhoods are filled with people whose passion for family, food, faith, and civic engagement are exemplary of the true American experience. Lives devoted to politics, business, sports, and scholarship have found their start, and often times their purpose, in Greater Utica. The nation's politics have been shaped by the likes of abolitionist Gerrit Smith, Congressman Roscoe Conkling, Vice Pres. James Sherman, and political pollster John Zogby. Enterprises including American Express and the Associated Press received boosts from businessmen John Butterfield and Theodore Faxton. Dick Clark hit the Utica airwaves long before American Bandstand was a household favorite, Will Smith wore a Proctor uniform before becoming a New Orleans Saint, and Arthur B. Davies learned to paint Mohawk Valley landscapes before introducing America to modernist art. Those looking to reclaim Utica's birthright as an essential American landmark include chefs Dean and Jason Nole, publisher Donna Donovan, Olympian-turned-entrepreneur Robert Esche, and the brewers of Saranac Beer, the Matt family.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Greater Utica, isbn: 9781467100847

Legendary Locals of Greene County

9781467101486

$24.99

Greene County was created in 1800 from parts of Albany and Ulster Counties, and it is named after Gen. Nathanael Greene of Revolutionary War fame. Early on, the economy of the county was primarily agricultural with a few small mills and most of the settlements located along the Hudson River and its tributaries. In the early 19th century, the economy took off: people from New England began settling the mountains to the west, the Susquehanna Turnpike opened, leather tanning and brick- and pottery-making became prominent, ice was harvested and shipped to New York City, ship-building gained importance, and tourism started to be popular. Today, tourism is still important to the area, and the county features two major ski resorts. Much of Greene County is also part of the Catskill Mountain Park, which attracts many nature-lovers all year round. Over the years, county natives and transplants have made many contributions to industry, entertainment, government, military, recreation, and the arts.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Greene County, isbn: 9781467101486

Legendary Locals of Greenville

9781467102032

$24.99

Greenville has long been a city of visionaries. Richard Pearis settled on the banks of the Reedy River in Cherokee hunting land where few white men would venture. Max Heller, who escaped Nazi-occupied Austria as a teen, triggered the rebirth of downtown. They are some of Greenville's local legends who have seen possibilities, not limitations. They come from all walks of life. Textile leaders such as John T. Woodside, Thomas Parker, and John D. Hollingsworth transformed the city into the Textile Capital of the World. When textiles began to fade, businessmen and leaders such as Charles Daniel, Tommy Wyche, Tom Barton, Virginia Uldrick, Dick Riley, Carl Sobocinski, and Xanthene Norris helped transform the city once again. Stories of people who have shaped Greenville with their vision, making it what it is today, fill these pages.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Greenville, isbn: 9781467102032

Legendary Locals of Greer

9781467100229

$24.99

Greer, an 1876 railroad town, was founded by people who moved from farms, the mountain region of the Dark Corner, and other small communities to the area around Greer's Depot with high expectations of prosperity promised by railroad commerce and, later, the cotton mills. Like a colorful quilt with its individual patches, the early population of Greer included farmers, store keepers, laborers skilled and unskilled, and their wives and families. As the town grew, investors funded three local cotton mills; mill hands and supervisors arrived to operate them. The bankers, attorneys, physicians, teachers, and ministers followed. Eager to succeed, they all labored long and hard, some heroically like Officer William Foster and volunteer fireman Carl Miller, who died in the line of duty. Greer folk reared families, provided education, and imbued their children with strong moral and religious values. Their descendents continue to populate the city today with a strong sense of community pride.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Greer, isbn: 9781467100229

Legendary Locals of Grosse Pointe

9781467100939

$24.99

Grosse Pointe is a community of many transformations. Today, it is known as an affluent suburb of Detroit, but Native Americans were the first inhabitants of this haven on the water. In the late 1600s, the fertile land, rich forests, and easy access to water attracted Europeans settlers to the region. And, as neighboring Detroit began to prosper, the allure of Grosse Pointe's lakefront drew weekend pleasure-seekers, then summer vacationers, and later permanent residents who wanted to live on the shores of Lake St. Clair. Throughout this diverse, fascinating history, one thing has remained constant: the character of the people who call Grosse Pointe home. Hardworking, civic-minded, and devoted to family and friends, these individuals embody the spirit of Grosse Pointe, a unique community where generation after generation keeps coming back to live and play.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Grosse Pointe, isbn: 9781467100939

Legendary Locals of Hamilton

9781467100694

$24.99

Going back to its roots in 1791, Hamilton has been populated by exceptional and dynamic personalities who created a truly unique city. The people who contributed to the city's growth included authors Robert McCloskey, Fanny Hurst, and William Dean Howells; developer of the Hollow Earth Theory John Cleves Symmes; major-league pitcher Joe Nuxhall; folk artist Nan Phelps; orator and Chautauqua speaker Lou Jenks Beauchamps; world-class archer Darrell Pace; Frederick Brant Rentschler, founder of the world's largest aircraft company; teacher and aeronautical engineer Raymond L. Bisplinghoff; Frank Clair, coach and member of the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame; Rear Adm. Donald Wulzen; and Shuler and Joseph Doran, two brothers who pioneered early wireless radio in America. Hamilton has also benefited from business leaders, educators, political figures, philanthropists, city officials, and fascinating characters and citizens who have made the city an interesting community.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Hamilton, isbn: 9781467100694

Legendary Locals of Hamtramck

9781467100175

$24.99

Fueled by phenomenal growth in the early part of the 20th century, Hamtramck went from being a farming community to a major industrial city in the space of a decade. Thousands of immigrants flooded into the city to work in the new auto factories. Each one had a special story to tell, but some stood above the rest. Maurice Keyworth developed a public school code in 1927 that was so innovative it was copied by schools across the nation. Gail Kobe acted in and produced popular TV shows, and Rudy Tomjanovich thrilled crowds around the basketball court. Still others made their mark in more modest, yet meaningful ways, like business owner Dave Stober, who sent local kids to camp. Their stories, and those of many more who made Hamtramck what it is today, are here. Each made a special contribution to the story of Hamtramck.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Hamtramck, isbn: 9781467100175

Legendary Locals of Harrisburg

9781467101547

$24.99

With images taken from the archives of the Dauphin County Historical Society, as well as family collections, Legendary Locals of Harrisburg encompasses biographical tributes that celebrate the deeds of actors, musicians, artists, teachers, athletes, humanitarians, politicians, veterans, firemen, and community leaders who have added a peculiar brand of Harrisburg's rich cultural tapestry. William Howard Day, an educator, and John Harris, who established Harrisburg, are two pioneers. Edward Stackpole, of Stackpole Books, and Theophilus Fenn, editor of the Telegraph, have forged the way for the city's writers. The first secretary of homeland security, Tom Ridge, and Simon Cameron, secretary of war under Lincoln, are among world-renowned politicians who have contributed to Harrisburg's valued reputation. From rival high school football coaches to dueling business owners, from civic leaders building an integrated city to aspiring young people embarking on independent journeys to the big screen, these profiles of real lives and real heroes show us that we all have contributed to the development of our own communities.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Harrisburg, isbn: 9781467101547

Legendary Locals of Haverhill

9781467100007

$24.99

Since Haverhill was first settled in 1640, its citizens have shown courage and determination to make it a better place to live. Many unique individuals have called Haverhill home, including Hannah Dustin, who was captured by and then avenged a group of Abenaki Indians; business pioneer Thomas Sanders, financial backer of Alexander Graham Bell; department store entrepreneur Rowland Macy; James Nichols, whose home Winnekenni Castle became one of Haverhill's most famous landmarks; baseball star Carlos Pena; Gerald Ashworth, Olympic gold medalist; literary greats John Greenleaf Whittier and Andre Dubus; Archie Comics artist Bob Montana; screenwriter Harold Livingston; and rising star Christopher Golden. Movie mogul Louis B. Mayer and television personalities Tom Bergeron and Frank Fontaine, along with gardening legend James Crocket, all began their careers here. And Haverhill's veterans who have gone into harm's way to defend our country are not to be forgotten. This book is a tribute to them and all of Haverhill's citizens boldly moving forward.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Haverhill, isbn: 9781467100007

Legendary Locals of Hilton Head

9781467100465

$24.99

Before the Europeans came, Amerindians celebrated on Hilton Head Island with seasonal oyster feasts. Later, planters made fortunes here with Sea Island cotton. But the island came alive to the guns of the Union in 1861 and, for seven years, was host to the troops who helped former slaves even before the Emancipation Proclamation made freedom official. The forces left, and the island slept. In the pages of this book are some of the people who kept the Gullah sea island culture alive, a self-sustaining culture of mutual help and integrity, living off the sea and the land. This volume also includes some of the people who set a standard for development and made the island what it is today, unique visionaries who had a fierce devotion to preservation of the island's natural beauty, its flora, and its fauna.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Hilton Head, isbn: 9781467100465

Legendary Locals of Hoboken

9781467101059

$24.99

Street for street, Hoboken is as interesting as any city in America. Set just yards across the Hudson from Manhattan, the compact and dense city shelters 50,000 residents who share one square mile. Few square miles anywhere have given the world more. Hoboken's founding family helped win the Revolutionary War, designed the modern railroad, and started a top engineering college. Hoboken's Elysian Fields hosted the first recorded baseball game, its docks sent three million soldiers to Europe during World War I, and its gritty streets reared the famous Frank Sinatra. Formerly a hub of industry and international shipping, contemporary Hoboken is a lively and intimate mix of proud ethnic identities, young families escaping the suburbs, and active, attractive, and socially conscious professionals. Legendary Locals of Hoboken features residents such as Anthony Stick Romano, a retired police captain, bar owner, and county politician; Kathy Zucker, a social media wiz who won a Shorty Award for inspiring other mothers; and Jeff Kreisler, a nationally touring satirist, speechwriter, and lecturer.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Hoboken, isbn: 9781467101059

Legendary Locals of Holyoke

9781467101813

$24.99

Holyoke is home to some of the most amazing and courageous individuals. In 1658, European pioneer John Riley, along with other early planters, was instrumental in establishing a community in the West Springfield area called Ireland Parish, which eventually became known as Holyoke. This tenacious man led the way for many other trailblazers, including George Ewing, who envisioned utilizing hydropower to operate factories and inspired town engineers to design one of the first planned cities in the United States. In 1898, the progressive Elizabeth Towne encouraged Holyoke residents and an international audience with her New Thought movement that advocated a healthy lifestyle. Another outstanding citizen, Timothy Alben, judiciously leads the Massachusetts State Police, while Holyoke's Henry Jennings honorably served his country in the armed forces, as a commander of the Holyoke War Memorial Building, and on the Holyoke City Council. Barbara Bernard has astutely kept residents informed about current events for the last 70 years. Legendary Locals of Holyoke chronicles the community's finest men and women who survived and prospered through harsh circumstances and against all odds.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Holyoke, isbn: 9781467101813

Legendary Locals of Hudson

9781467101837

$24.99

When John T. Benson purchased land in Hudson in 1924, little did he know that Benson's Wild Animal Farm would make Hudson famous. For 60 years, the Strangest Farm on Earth became legendary. The former attraction is now a beautiful town park. Volunteers were key to the new Benson Park, just as volunteers have always made Hudson a wonderful place. These pages are filled with stories of many who gave of their time, talent, and treasure. Leonard Smith designed and helped build Central Fire Station. Shirley Nadeau is always ready to lend a hand. Leon Hammond cooked for countless bean suppers. Dr. Alfred Kimball Hills, Kimball Webster, G. Philip Rodgers, and Alvin Rodgers have been generous benefactors. The H in Hudson stands for heart.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Hudson, isbn: 9781467101837

Legendary Locals of Huntington

9781467100335

$24.99

Founded in 1871 by Collis P. Huntington, the rail tycoon's namesake city thrived as a gateway to the coalfields of southern West Virginia. The city's earliest leaders included Mayor Rufus Switzer, who created one of the community's true jewels, Ritter Park, and John Hooe Russel, who opened the city's first bank and, when it was robbed, jumped on his horse and gave chase to the bandits. Over the years, Huntington has been home to such varied individuals as Carter Woodson, the father of Black History Month; Dr. Henry D. Hatfield, who was West Virginia governor but said he would rather be known as a country doctor; Dagmar, the blonde bombshell of 1950s television; basketball star Hal Greer; golfing great Bill Campbell; Stella Fuller, who spent her life ministering to Huntington's poor; and the spectacularly generous Joan Edwards, who gave away $65 million. Legendary Locals of Huntington captures their stories and many others in a striking panorama of a remarkable community.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Huntington, isbn: 9781467100335

Legendary Locals of Huntington Beach

9781467101868

$24.99

For over 100 years, Huntington Beach, a.k.a. Surf City, USA, has come to represent the true beach culture of Southern California. Originally called Pacific City, it was when railroad magnate Henry Huntington first ran his train line down in 1904 from Los Angeles, approximately 40 miles north, that the then-quaint beach town took on the name that made it famous around the state and around the world. In 1914, the legendary George Freeth put on a surfing exhibition the day the city's vaunted concrete pier was opened, which christened Huntington Beach as a soon-to-be surfing mecca. It became a boomtown after oil was discovered in 1920 and, several decades later, morphed once again into a cradle of aerospace engineering when companies such as Boeing arrived. Throughout its tumultuous and dramatic history, Huntington Beach has always boasted a cast of colorful and profound characters. From the first mayor, Ed Manning, to Medal of Honor–recipient Chris Carr, from the Zamboni family (who invented the ice-cleaning machine) to baseball star Jeff Kent: the list is almost endless. But it is not just professional athletes, actors, and rock stars; it is the teachers, crossing guards, merchants, and activists that give Huntington Beach its well-earned reputation as one of the most interesting and charismatic cities in the state.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Huntington Beach, isbn: 9781467101868

Legendary Locals of Huntsville

9781467102025

$24.99

First they came for the land, later they came for the stars and the moon; all found themselves against the glorious backdrop of the Tennessee Valley. Legendary Locals of Huntsville chronicles the story of Rocket City, a sleepy, Southern cotton town that weathered the Great Depression with its mill villages, gained national attention with Redstone Arsenal, blossomed into the center of aerospace development, and became the home of the largest arts center in the Southeast. Notables include pioneer John Hunt and founding father LeRoy Pope; aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun; world-renowned portrait artist and poet Howard Weeden and cobweb artist Anne Clopton; internationally known soprano Susanna Phillips; Professional Football Hall of Fame member John Stallworth; performing arts pioneers Helen Herriott and Loyd Tygett; and entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark C. Smith. The stories herein celebrate just a handful of the many people who have made a memorable impact on this community and who continue to propel Huntsville forward through leadership by example.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Huntsville, isbn: 9781467102025

Legendary Locals of Idaho Falls

9781467101684

$24.99

In 1864, a stage line driver named Matt Taylor and two associates decided Black Rock Canyon was the place for a toll bridge to handle traffic to and from Montana. The following year, their bridge opened and a town called Eagle Rock took shape. With the coming of the railroad, trains brought everyone from saloon keeper Dick Chamberlain to temperance crusader Rebecca Mitchell. To project a more genteel air, Eagle Rock became Idaho Falls in 1891. Joseph Clark, the first mayor, and newspaper publisher William Wheeler were just two of the people who helped pave the streets and turn on the lights. After assiduous wooing by boosters such as Bill Holden, D.V. Groberg, and E.F. McDermott, the Atomic Energy Commission in 1949 chose Idaho Falls for the headquarters of its National Reactor Testing Station. Today, Idaho Falls is a vital trading and service center with two hospitals, a professional baseball team, symphony orchestra, and world-class museum. It is also the hometown of some remarkable people who have gone out in the world to make names for themselves.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Idaho Falls, isbn: 9781467101684

Legendary Locals of Intown Atlanta

9781467101325

$24.99

When Hardy Ivy built his small cabin on a ridge in the North Georgia wilderness in 1833, no one could have imagined his property would grow to become the internationally recognized city Atlanta is today. Ivy is just one of those whose impact on Atlanta has earned him the right to be called a legendary local. This book includes those with international acclaim like Cable News Network founder and environmentalist Ted Turner, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and former president Jimmy Carter. No less important, but lesser known, are former slave Carrie Steel Logan, who started the first orphanage for black children in Georgia, and May Belle Mitchell, the mother of Gone With the Wind author Margaret Mitchell. May Belle was a legend in her own right for leading the Atlanta women's Equal Suffrage League in the early 1900s. These stories span centuries, highlighting only some of the true legendary locals of Intown Atlanta.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Intown Atlanta, isbn: 9781467101325

Legendary Locals of Jacksonville

9781467101745

$24.99

Since Europeans first settled along Jacksonville's riverbanks in the 16th century, the area has been a diverse community that thrives not only on commerce, music, and the arts but also on the advantages of a subtropical climate and waterside lifestyle. The city grew up around a crossing point for cattle in the St. Johns River and first became known as Cowford. The Great Fire of 1901 left 10,000 people homeless but not defeated. The ashes gave birth to a new era with strong architecture and a new resolve. Considered a friendly town for African Americans, Jacksonville was home to Harlem Renaissance artists as well as civil rights leaders. A bit laid back, the city has still managed to be on the cutting edge—it was the home of the Navy's Blue Angels as well as Southern rock and one of the country's first skateboard parks.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Jacksonville, isbn: 9781467101745

Legendary Locals of Jamestown

9781467101301

$24.99

When Caleb Carr, one of the 101 men who purchased Conanicut and Dutch Islands in 1657, petitioned the General Assembly to incorporate Jamestown in 1678, the town had 150 inhabitants. The community thrived until the American Revolution, when the British occupation drove away many people. Nicholas Carr and John Eldred both remained, rebelling in their own ways. The town recovered slowly, and its character changed with modernized modes of transportation. Steam ferries, introduced in 1873, ushered in an era of resort hotels, affluent summer visitors, and a service economy. The West Passage bridge in 1940 brought permanent residents with off-island occupations and interests. The East Passage bridge (1969) and the replacement West Passage bridge (1992) created a suburban atmosphere enlivened by a continuing influx of summer vacationers. Most newcomers revel in the island's beauty and are intent on keeping Jamestown the peaceful haven that attracted them.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Jamestown, isbn: 9781467101301

Legendary Locals of Jersey City

9781467100922

$24.99

From its primordial inception as a Dutch trading post on the left bank of the Hudson River to its late-19th-century reign as one of the world's great industrial centers and transportation termini, Jersey City has always been a city about people—the bold pioneers who reshaped its forested hills and elevated landscapes into a major municipality brimming with immigrant-filled neighborhoods, from which emerged even more distinct personalities. Legendary Locals of Jersey City highlights these timeless citizens, including Peter Stuyvesant, the director-general of New Netherland who rescued fledgeling settlements besieged by wars with the Lenni Lenape; Erminnie Smith, who launched an immensely popular intellectual society and salon in 1876; Hugh Roberts, the falsely accused over-spending architect of the majestic Hudson County Court House; Dr. Lena Edwards, winner of the 1964 Presidential Medal of Freedom; Helene Stapinski, national bestselling author; and Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri, stars of the hit HGTV series Kitchen Cousins and dedicated Jersey City developers.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Jersey City, isbn: 9781467100922

Legendary Locals of Kearny

9781467102247

$24.99

Heroes lead, inspire, and perform memorable acts that shape the lives of others. In the pages of this book, readers will learn the stories behind Kearny's heroes--the people whose contributions made Kearny into the thriving, diverse community it is today. Ed Karolasz gave his life for his country during the war in Iraq. Councilman Norman Doyle helped a young girl get the medical attention she needed. College student Gabriela Salvador restores historic costumes for the town museum. Real estate developers Louis Lindblom and Edward Strong built the town's financial institutions and the Arlington section. Educators Peg Bixler and Barbara Toczko devoted themselves to their students. From the town known as Soccertown, USA, came John Harkes, Tony Meola, and Tab Ramos, who played on the United States team in the FIFA World Cup. But there was also Louis Eilshemius, the somewhat mad and reclusive artist, and Albert Gonzalez, a government informant and computer criminal. This "City of Opportunity" has produced more than its share of personalities that have created admirable and notorious international, national, and local legends.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Kearny, isbn: 9781467102247

Legendary Locals of Kent County

9781467102186

$24.99

Kent County, located on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, is noted for its farms, outdoor recreation, architecture, and its people. Legendary Locals of Kent County recognizes only a handful of the many Kent County people who deserve to be noted. Included are Tony Award nominee Mark Bramble, who is a director, author, and producer; controversial and colorful Evelyn Harris, also known as the Barter Lady, who gained fame during the Depression when she proposed a system of swapping to overcome the shortage of money; elected official, school principal, minister, and artist Clarence Hawkins; Sheriff Bartus O. Vickers, who earned the respect of prisoners, lawyers, other law enforcement officers, and citizens; game warden Bozy Robinson, friend of both the hunter and the hunted; and writer Gilbert Byron, who detailed life on the Chesapeake Bay throughout the 20th century.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Kent County, isbn: 9781467102186

Legendary Locals of Lake County

9781467100250

$24.99

Lake County has no shortage of characters—adventurous, altruistic, and notorious men and women drawn to an enchanted land of a thousand lakes and lush pine forests in the heart of the Sunshine State. In 1887, visionaries carved the new territory from neighboring Sumter and Orange Counties and boldly dreamed of moving the state capital to Tavares. More than a dozen communities sprang up, attracting people such as Walt Disney's parents and Wild West legend Annie Oakley. Notable residents through the years include astronaut David Walker, Olympic athlete Tyson Gay, bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, and archaeologist Edgar Banks, who served as the inspiration for Indiana Jones. Inspiring educators and coaches, along with caring doctors and ministers, devoted their lives to helping others. Business geniuses created the largest sawmill in the Southeast, promoted tourism, and built the first citrus juice plant in Florida.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Lake County, isbn: 9781467100250

Legendary Locals of Lake Forest

9781467102148

$24.99

Since the 1850s, Lake Forest, located 30 miles north of Chicago on Lake Michigan, has been a distinctive suburb. It has been a retreat from the diseases, public accessibility, rougher elements, soot, stockyard smells, and general density of bustling city life. For at least five generations, it has been the retreat for Chicago's leading New England-descended families, such as the Farwells, Swifts, and Armours. And for over 150 years, Lake Forest has been the home for a community of educators, merchants, artisans, designers, and a wide variety of estate specialists, the latter from pre-Civil War escaped slaves and Scots and Irish immigrants to today's notable garden and interior artists. Legendary Locals of Lake Forest draws on rare archival images from local and Chicago public and private sources.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Lake Forest, isbn: 9781467102148

Legendary Locals of Lake Worth

9781467101585

$24.99

During the early 1900s, a large reservoir built to provide water for Fort Worth, Texas, also opened up opportunities for businesses to develop. Casino Beach, Casino Ballroom, and a large bathhouse became popular spots for thousands. A nearby village, with increasing population, soon had a small school, churches, and other establishments. With nearby Jacksboro Highway running from downtown Fort Worth past the beach area, gambling increased, as did gangster activity. After a long while, with much intervention, these unlawful situations became history. Legendary Locals of Lake Worth spotlights the founders of the small village and features individuals who impacted the area—many for the better, others for the worst. Some may never have received proper recognition until this book's acknowledgment of them.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Lake Worth, isbn: 9781467101585

Legendary Locals of Lakewood

9781467101165

$24.99

Lakewood was a vibrant community long before it incorporated in 1996, though cityhood helped give the area one name and identity. In the mid-19th century, Lakewood was the site of British farms and the first US military base in Washington Territory. Men who became famous in the Civil War, such as George Pickett, served there. Native American leader Leschi, the victim of judicial lynching by civilians, spent his last days there. As Lakewood became a retreat for Puget Sound's rich and famous, names such as Carman and Alexander—as famous in their day as the name Weyerhaeuser was and is—settled here, leaving behind reminders like Lakewold Gardens. One of Lakewood's most famous residents was Ivan, a captive gorilla who captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Lakewood, isbn: 9781467101165

Legendary Locals of Lansing

9781467100311

$24.99

Lansing was settled in the 1840s by German and Dutch immigrants. Farming, then the railroad, played major roles in the growth of the village. The brickyards left a lasting impact on the community, as did Henry Ford's airport hangar, which still stands today. The schools produced figures who have become well known outside Lansing, such as Major League Baseball outfielder Curtis Granderson, who has won a Silver Slugger award and joined baseball's elite 20-20-20-20 club. The community has been blessed with caring and dedicated educators like Hal Gronewald and Durward Shuetz, whose reach extended beyond the classroom. Lansing has also raised war heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country—men like August Olsen and Philip Martini. Many other heroes have served and protected at home, including Kenneth Novak Jr., Lansing's only police officer to die in the line of duty.