American History Books

Discover the ruins of the colonial port town of Brunswick and the large earthworks of the Civil War's Fort Anderson in this collection of historic photographs.

Established in 1952, Brunswick was once the major port in colonial North Carolina and was partially burned by British troops twice during the American Revolution. During the American Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop some of the ruins of the town and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington. Today, visitors to the site can see the archaeological ruins of the foundations of the colonial buildings that once stood as a port town, along with the shell of St. Philip's Anglican Church. The site still conducts archaeological excavations each spring. Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson State Historic Site is administered by the Division of State Historic Sites in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Jim McKee has been an interpreter at Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson Historic Site for over 10 years. His research has greatly added to the academic and archaeological knowledge of this fascinating historic site.

Discover the history of the New Farmers of America in this collection of historic photographs.

African Americans have contributed greatly to the history of American agriculture. One of its most compelling stories is the New Farmers of America (NFA), which was a national organization of Black farm boys studying vocational agriculture in the public schools throughout 18 states in the eastern and southern United States from 1927 to 1965. The organization was started at the suggestion of Dr. H.O. Sargent, federal agent for agricultural education for Blacks, who felt the time was ripe for an organization of Black agricultural students. Operating within the auspices of the "Separate but Equal Doctrine," the NFA started at Virginia State University in May 1927 with a few chapters and members and concluded in 1965 with more than 1,000 chapters and more than 58,000 active members, merging with the Future Farmers of America (FFA) as a result of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Antoine J. Alston, PhD, serves as professor and associate dean for academic studies within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University. Dexter B. Wakefield, PhD, serves as professor and associate dean for academic programs within the School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences at Alcorn State University. Netta S. Cox, MSEd, MLS, serves as associate professor and head of Serials, Government Documents, and Agricultural Liaison for F.D. Bluford Library at North Carolina A&T State University, the source of the majority of historic photographs in the book.

Early Tourism in Western North Carolina celebrates the rise of tourism from 1900 to 1950 in the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains of North Carolina. Sites featured include the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain, Blowing Rock, Asheville, Mount Mitchell, Chimney Rock, the Biltmore Estate, and the Cherokee Indian Reservation.

The biggest meteor shower of the century filled the sky in the winter of 1833, and Yancey County came into being that December.

It is a place of fierce independence, astounding natural beauty, and civic pride. Nestled amidst the Black Mountains, the county boasts 19 peaks above 6,000 feet, including Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak in the Eastern United States. Archaeological excavations trace human history in Yancey County as far back as the Paleo-Indian period, 9000 to 10,000 BC, based on regional dates. Families have flourished for many generations along the Cane and Toe Rivers in a mineral-rich land dotted with fresh springs and free-flowing creeks. Named for statesman and orator Bartlett Yancey, the county is characterized by streets and areas with delightful names, such as Barking Dog, Bee Log, and Merry Bear Lane. The citizens are descended from ancestors who fought on both sides of the War between the States. Working the county's land of plenty has given them ginseng, galax, tobacco, ramps, and a cornucopia of fine foods.

Capturing much of what life was like in the rapidly growing city of Durham, North Carolina, during the first half of the 20th century.

This rare collection of postcards represents many aspects of Durham, especially the bustling downtown district. In the early 1900s, Durham was a small but budding town with a population of less than 7,000. However, a tremendous number of people began to pour into the city, and by 1930 the population had increased to more than 50,000.

That explosion of growth was attributable in large measure to the rapid expansion of the tobacco and textile industries, as well as to the endowment of nearby Trinity College (1924) by tobacco magnate James B. Duke, which led to the institution's renaming as the now-renowned Duke University. In only a few years, the town's skyline began to be transformed with the construction of modern office buildings and grand mansions.

Richly blessed with gems and minerals, the small North Carolina town of Franklin is touted as the "Gem Capital of the World.'?

Franklin sits on a hill above the Little Tennessee River--the surveyors who chose the site in 1820 admired its beauty, laying out the town with Main Street facing the Cowee Mountains to the east and the Nantahala Range to the west. Though encircled by rugged summits, Franklin was situated directly by well-worn trails, and it soon developed into the market center of southwestern North Carolina, a role it still retains today, particularly in the construction, furniture, and jewelry trades. In addition to its natural supply of gems and minerals, Franklin is also justly proud of its crafters, including quilters, woodworkers, potters, basket makers, and glass artists.The Franklin Press, founded in 1886, is the oldest business in the county; the Macon County Historical Society, along with the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum, are perennial favorites with tourists. Franklin is also a gateway town for the Appalachian Trail, attracting hikers almost year-round.Images of America: Franklinshowcases the rich commercial and community history of this North Carolina mountain town.

Since the opening of the first permanent railway in 1833, hundreds of railroad companies have operated in North Carolina.

Rail transportation, faster and more efficient than other methods of the era, opened new markets for the products of North Carolina's farms, factories, and mines. Over the years, North Carolina rail companies have ranged in size from well-engineered giants like the Southern Railway to temporary logging railroads like the Hemlock. Cross ties and rails were laid across almost every conceivable terrain: tidal marshes, sand hills, rolling piedmont, and mountain grades. Vulnerable to the turbulent and unregulated economies of the day, few railroad companies escaped reorganizations and receiverships during their corporate lives, often leaving tangled and contradictory histories in their passing.

African Americans are greatly responsible for the impressive growth of Durham County in North Carolina, once known as the "Capital of the Black Bourgeoisie".

Durham County, North Carolina, once called the "Chicago of the South" and the "Capital of the Black Bourgeoisie," has long occupied an important place in the hearts and minds of those who called Durham County home. African Americans have played a vital role in the growth and development of the region over the years, from antebellum times to Reconstruction to the Civil Rights era and in the present. The African American citizens of this historic Tar Heel county share an impressive story marked by determination, economic achievement, and resilience, and they have made a difference in all walks of life - educational, religious, civic, and commercial. This pictorial history reflects upon the rich and vibrant role that African Americans played in the area following emancipation. In its earliest stages, residents in such neighborhoods as Hayti, Hickstown, Crest Street, Pearsontown, the West End, the East End, and Walltown each created sturdy surviving communities that have shaped Durham.

What is the high point of North Carolina? Why, it's High Point, North Carolina!

Established in 1859, High Point was so named because it was located at the highest point on the rail line between Charlotte and Goldsboro. The city expanded rapidly from the epicenter of the crossroads of the Plank Road and the railroad, making High Point a transportation hub within North Carolina. High Point is also the only city in North Carolina located within four counties: Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, and Randolph. Beyond their railway history, High Point has always been a manufacturing center, nicknamed the "furniture capital of the world.'? Today, the world's largest furnishings market is held each spring and fall in High Point, drawing in over 70,000 people.High Pointshowcases the rich manufacturing and community history of this North Carolina Triad city.

Hillsborough North Carolina is a small town with a huge footprint in American history!

The picturesque town of Hillsborough, once a treasured secret, has recently been rediscovered for its beauty, locale, and historical ties. Various buildings that date back to the late 1700s are still located in Hillsborough's downtown area, which itself is a designated National Historic District. Having maintained the community's rich heritage, residents reap the benefits of small town life in the vicinity of a booming metropolis.

English colonists founded Hillsborough in 1754 where the Great Indian Trading Pathcrossed the Eno River. By the late 1760s, the town was at the center of the Regulator Movement, which challenged the local Colonial government. When the colonies decided to break from England, a town resident named William Hooper signed the Declaration of Independence. During the war that ensued, the British army briefly occupied the town and fought skirmishes in the surrounding area. After the war, prominent citizens gathered in Hillsborough for the Constitutional Convention of 1788to determine the course of the new nation. Less than a century later, another armed conflict involved Hillsborough; leaders of the last great Confederate army camped in the town and discussed surrender in 1865. Their decision to lay down arms essentially ended the most tragic chapter in American history.

With the help of the town's historical preservation organizations, as well as several lifelong residents, author Chris Holaday has assembled this photographic journey, which includes many rare images, to celebrate nearly 250 years of Hillsborough history.

See how the African-American community has played a vital role in the development and success of Vance County, North Carolina.

The African-American community has been an integral part of Vance County's history over the years. From antebellum times, to Reconstruction, to the Civil Rights era, to the present, this community has been through it all. Making a difference in all walks of life--educational, spiritual, commercial, and civic--the black citizens of this historic Tar Heel county share an impressive story, one marked by a determination and undeniable will to succeed through economic hardships and social challenges.