Name: Historic Bridges of Milam County
Brand: Dr. Dora Lucile Estell
SKU: 9781467124911
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Historic Bridges of Milam County

9781467124911

$24.99

Milam County, located in the heart of Central Texas, is home to 18 historic bridges that were constructed through the years to accommodate the growth of the county. One bridge, Worley Bridge, has been fully restored in a cooperative effort between Milam County and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). TXDOT is an important partner in the preservation of these historic structures. Memories of some bridges will be preserved in a bridge park, which is being constructed in Rockdale. Other bridges simply stand in mute testimony to the passing of time and the changing of human needs and habits. This book tells the story of these bridges and their important role in our history. It provides knowledge and understanding of these structures.

Cover image for Historic Bridges of Milam County, isbn: 9781467124911

Flatonia

9781467128698

$23.99

Flatonia owes its place on the map to the railroad and its name to German immigrant and entrepreneur F.W. Flato. The Galveston, Harrisburg & San Antonio Railway first traversed southwestern Fayette County in 1874. Inexpensive land along the line attracted farmers and ranchers, and new shipping and trade opportunities enticed merchants. Immigrants of German and Czech origins mingled with Mexican Americans, African Americans, and transplants from the Southeastern United States. These diverse groups were known to brawl one minute and unite in a common cause the next. Flatonia's survival has depended upon its ability to adapt while honoring its heritage. As rail service declined, a location on the coast-to-coast Old Spanish Trail (US Highway 90) provided a steady flow of automobile traffic. Cotton disappeared, but cattle and egg production remained strong. The buildings of the Flatonia Commercial Historic District still retain their late-19th- to early-20th-century charm, earning distinction in the National Register of Historic Places.

Cover image for Flatonia, isbn: 9781467128698

El Camino Real de los Tejas

9781467131940

$24.99

The Royal Road of the Tejas Indians, El Camino Real de los Tejas, was born hundreds of years ago when the Native Americans followed routes used by buffalo and other animals, realizing that these early creatures knew the best paths to take. Also known as Kings Highway, it later became a major thoroughfare used by travelers from the East coming to Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico. In 2004, El Camino Real de los Tejas took on new meaning when the historical road was designated as the 19th National Historic Trail in the United States. Development is guided by El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association housed in Austin, Texas.

Cover image for El Camino Real de los Tejas, isbn: 9781467131940

Oak Cliff

9781467116268

$24.99

The community of Oak Cliff is one of progress and transformation, experiencing a rebirth over the last few decades. Covering approximately one fourth of Dallas County, Oak Cliff has become one of the most ethnically diverse and culturally opulent neighborhoods in the state of Texas. From the events surrounding the death of Pres. John F. Kennedy to the demographic shifts over the last 40 to 50 years, Oak Cliff has become a symbol of inimitability, re-establishing its image as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the United States.

Cover image for Oak Cliff, isbn: 9781467116268

Mexican American Baseball in Houston and Southeast Texas

9781467126359

$24.99

Mexican American Baseball in Houston and Southeast Texas pays tribute to the baseball and softball players and teams from Houston, Sugar Land, Texas City, Richmond, and other surrounding communities in the region. Since the early 1900s, this game has had an important role in the lives of area Mexican Americans. In the Houston barrios, when entrenched discriminatory practices obstructed city unity, the diamond brought people together. In the Sugar Land region, Mexican Americans, African Americans, and Anglos worked and played together, blurring racial lines. Baseball and softball built community pride and connected generations of Mexican American families. The wonderful stories and breathtaking images in this book help resurrect the rich and little-known history of Mexican American baseball and softball in this key part of Texas.

Cover image for Mexican American Baseball in Houston and Southeast Texas, isbn: 9781467126359

Rockdale

9780738585062

$24.99

Rockdale was first established as a railroad town in Milam County in 1874. Milam County was carved from the extensive Robertson's Colony in 1852, and it flourished with immigrants eager to move on after the Civil War severed the nation. For many, Rockdale was an easy choice for a new home because it was the end of the line. The fertile land, pleasant climate, and ample water attracted settlers, many of whom were of German, Czech, and Wendish descent. The presence of large deposits of lignite brought mining onto the scene in the early 1900s. From 1954 until 2009, the Aluminum Company of America operated a large plant that was six miles from Rockdale, which further changed the economy. The settlers were by no means the first humans to inhabit this land.

Cover image for Rockdale, isbn: 9780738585062

White Rock Lake Revisited

9781467131179

$24.99

For more than 100 years, White Rock Lake has been the people's playground. The types of lake activities popular here have changed through the decades as Dallas has grown from a small country town to a large metropolitan city. The lake first known for hunting and fishing is now an urban oasis enjoyed by well over two million visitors a year. Images of America: White Rock Lake Revisited focuses on the people and activities of the lake and expands on the previously published Images of America: White Rock Lake.

Cover image for White Rock Lake Revisited, isbn: 9781467131179

Henderson

9781467132510

$24.99

One of the oldest towns in Texas, Henderson—founded in 1843—is situated in the rolling green hills and pine forests of East Texas. Named for the state's first governor, James P. Henderson, the town is the seat of Rusk County. Henderson's fertile land and abundant stores of clay were enjoyed for centuries by Caddo Indians and other indigenous people; after settlement by Anglos, beginning in the 1830s, the area became known for cotton plantations. More Old South than Old West, Henderson might have had spectacular growth if the planned Galveston, Houston & Henderson Railroad had come to fruition. When that did not happen, Henderson relied on an economy based on cotton, farming, and logging until the Great East Texas Oilfield was discovered in 1930 just a few miles west. Oil, and later the commercial production of bricks, paved the way for a brighter future for the town, which today is still partially sustained by the riches of the earth through lignite production. Generations of hardworking men and women have called Henderson home, and the town today enjoys a revitalized town square filled with shops and restaurants.

Cover image for Henderson, isbn: 9781467132510

Johnson County

9781467130707

$24.99

In 1854, land that was covered in trees, tall grass, spring-fed creeks, and rivers and was home to abundant wildlife, including deer, buffalo, and turkey, became Johnson County. In the early years, a trickling of brave pioneers developed cattle trails and iron rails, and as the area continued to grow and change, many farms and ranches were replaced with industrial and retail enterprises. In 2013, the Chisholm Trail Parkway, which efficiently connects the western part of the county to the metroplex and the Dallas–Fort Worth Airport, was nearing completion.

Cover image for Johnson County, isbn: 9781467130707

Midland

9781467134460

$24.99

Midland was a young farming and ranching community on the southern edge of the Llano Estacado when the real-photo postcard era began near the opening of the 20th century. Businesses, residents, and promoters embraced this new technology to produce images capturing Midland's unusual rural-and-cosmopolitan mix. As postcards changed to linen and chrome, Midland also underwent dramatic changes. The city on the plains worked hard to become an indispensable part of the vast 1920s Permian Basin oil industry. In post–World War II years, Midland grew into an urban center of West Texas, positioned strategically at the midpoint of Interstate 20's path from Fort Worth to El Paso.

Cover image for Midland, isbn: 9781467134460

Vernon

9780738595467

$24.99

Located in the north-central part of Texas, Vernon is the county seat of Wilbarger County. Originally, the area was home to the Kiowa and Comanche Indians. The first white settlers came in April 1878. Two years later, on April 23, 1880, Vernon was settled as Eagle Flat, though that name was changed to Vernon on March 27, 1881, because the postal department said there were too many towns in Texas with the word eagle in their name. Once the Fort Worth & Denver Railway extended to Vernon, the population began to boom.

Cover image for Vernon, isbn: 9780738595467

Helotes

9780738579443

$24.99

A small town with a big history, Helotes--20 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio--was named for the Spanish word elotes, or corn on the cob. So extensive were the fields of corn along its namesake creek, a Spanish official in 1723 called the area el Puerto de los Olotes, or Corncob Pass. When settlers later arrived, few ancient cornfields remained. Situated along Bandera Road, the town became a stagecoach stop, and a post office was established in 1873. Nevertheless, the settlement remained rural for the next 100 years. Helotes, known as a place to "let down yer hair and kick up yer heels," solidified its reputation in 1946, when John T. Floore Country Store, a dance hall and concert venue for top-rated country musicians, opened for business in downtown Helotes. The annual Cornyval Festival, inaugurated in 1966, continues this tradition. Incorporated in 1981, the town provides a verdant and hilly escape from the city.

Cover image for Helotes, isbn: 9780738579443

Historic Bridges of Milam County

9781467125765

$7.99

Milam County boasts a rich history. In this collection of vintage-photograph postcards, David Galbreath, Carolyn Temple, Lucile Estell, and Joy Graham explore the county's historic bridges.

Cover image for Historic Bridges of Milam County, isbn: 9781467125765

Mansfield

9781467162715

$24.99

The establishment of Mansfield brought along a diverse community with a myriad of stories and cultural backgrounds, and the town became a beacon of quintessential Texas that readers will both appreciate and revel in.

Around 1856, Ralph Man and Julien Feild arrived at a small community among the oak groves bordering Walnut Creek. Here, they built a gristmill at the crossroads that would become the center of Mansfield. The steam mill they established ground grain into flour and meal and eventually served customers from San Antonio to Oklahoma. As the community grew, Dr. John Collier established the Mansfield Male and Female College, insisting the community be platted before the college opened in 1870. The community progressed with the arrival of the railroad between Fort Worth and Mansfield and the community’s incorporation. With the building of the town’s Memorial Hall in 1920, many of Mansfield’s functions became centralized, and the town grew to be more than a collection of buildings and fields. It grew to be a reflection of the voices, histories, and cultures of those who settled here and shaped the rich, diverse identity of the town. This cultural reflection continues today with the city’s rapid growth. New voices continue to add to the spirit that is Mansfield.

A special committee of the Mansfield Historical Society, along with the staff of the Mansfield Historical Museum, worked in collaboration for the creation of this book. All recognize and are grateful for the work of the Mansfield Historical Society in assembling the wealth of information and photographs contained in this book.

Cover image for Mansfield, isbn: 9781467162715

Marfa

9780738525662

$7.99

Marfa boasts a rich history.

Cover image for Marfa, isbn: 9780738525662

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 Rockwall

9781467101899

$24.99

Since its founding in 1854, Rockwall has been home to dedicated public servants, pioneer personalities, hometown heroes, successful business owners, devoted educators, and hardworking farmers. Containing more than 100 profiles of Rockwall's interesting and influential citizens, Legendary Locals of Rockwall includes the stories of Confederate veteran John Summerfield Griffith, who rode on horseback to Austin to gain the original charter for Rockwall County; long-tenured office holders such as Lannie Stimpson, who served 53 years in office, and Derwood Wimpee, who served 35 years; a long list of educators, including Maurine Cain, Dorothy Smith Pullen, Ouida Springer, and Doris Cullins, who influenced generations of Rockwall students; and business professionals such as newspaper publishers P.J. and Jane Bounds, local developer and philanthropist Raymond Cameron, and Texas's first formally trained female dentist, Dr. Jessie Castle LaMoreaux. In addition, Rockwall has long honored its agricultural heritage by naming roads after farming families who influenced the region. The names Bourn, Rochell, Cornelius, Clem, and Smirl, among others, will be familiar to those who travel the roads of Rockwall County.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Rockwall, isbn: 9781467101899

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 Arlington

9781467100588

$24.99

The people of Arlington have always had a can-do spirit. There's Carrie Rogers, the society matron who became marshal; Tillie Burgin, who changed the face of social services in Arlington; and Tom Vandergriff, the boy mayor who stayed on the job for 26 years. When educational opportunities were deemed inadequate, Edward E. Rankin and other leading citizens founded and supported a school that grew into the University of Texas at Arlington. Before there was the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, Jim Hayes opened the eyes of Arlington leaders to the difficulties of navigating the University of Texas at Arlington and the city in a wheelchair. Never willing to be overshadowed by Dallas or Fort Worth, their larger neighbors to the east and west, Arlington residents embraced industry and progress, and their enterprising spirit attracted the notice of the nation. Today, the city boasts major businesses and attractions—General Motors, Six Flags, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys—and continues to grow thanks to the aspirations of its people.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of Arlington, isbn: 9781467100588

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

Wharton

9780738579078

$24.99

On a bend in the Colorado River where it meanders through the Bay Prairie lies the town of Wharton. Caney and Peach Creeks spill into the river nearby and mark the boundaries of this small community. Stephen F. Austin first brought settlers here in the early 1820s, and the town of Wharton was organized in 1846. Named in memory of two brothers who fought in the Texas Revolution, the town sits astride trade routes that connect larger cities like Houston and San Antonio. Steamboats made their way up the Colorado River, and the railroad bustled through in the 1880s. The town began to grow quickly by 1900, and now, a century later, Wharton honors a diverse cultural heritage passed down for six generations. Today Wharton has more than 9,000 residents who make up a diverse and thriving community, and who still appreciate their special place along the mighty Colorado River.

Cover image for Wharton, isbn: 9780738579078

San Antonio in the Great War

9781467131759

$24.99

San Antonio, Texas, has been called Military City USA for many years. It earned this sobriquet not only by virtue of its major military installations but also because of its close and cordial relationship with the US Armed Forces. But in 1916, the year before America entered the Great War, all of that was still in the future. Fort Sam Houston was the largest US Army post in the country, but its attention was focused on the border with Mexico. This changed on April 6, 1917, as the United States needed to quickly raise an expeditionary army of three million men with its attendant air service and send it overseas. This volume portrays the growth of military facilities and infrastructure in San Antonio during World War I that started the Alamo City on the road to becoming Military City USA.

Cover image for San Antonio in the Great War, isbn: 9781467131759

Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train

9780738584881

$24.99

In 1986, the Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train joined the 150th birthday celebration that commemorated the state's independence from Mexico. The wagon train followed a jagged 3,000-mile circle around the state to bring it within approximately 100 miles of every town or city in Texas. The six-month schedule began January 2, 1986, in Sulphur Springs and was followed so closely that each town or city knew the exact day the wagon train would arrive and could make plans for welcoming it with local events. Some folks traveled the entire route; others joined for a day or a week. A total of 10,000 riders from 27 states traveled at least a part of the way during the six months. While people and wagons came and went, a core group of participants and support staff completed the entire trip, arriving at the Fort Worth Stockyards on July 3, 1986, for a final celebration.

Cover image for Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train, isbn: 9780738584881

Old Sylvan Beach and the Pavilions

9781467132077

$24.99

Sylvan Beach is synonymous with bathing beauties, moonlit pavilions, the jitterbug, the Charleston, and a train called the Moonlight Express, as well as picnics, carnivals, music, romance, love, and legend. The unlikely truth is that familiarity and age can make our most beautiful treasures banal if we do not pause to remember and observe and venerate the events and moments when we first saw, or most appreciated, a place like Sylvan Beach. For this reason, we ask you to come back with us to Sylvan Beach, where, for over 100 years, Houston and much of Texas has come to play, dance, pray, fall in love, relax, or simply swim in the bay. Today, the park and its pavilion are enjoying renewed popularity.

Cover image for Old Sylvan Beach and the Pavilions, isbn: 9781467132077

Live Oak County

9780738595337

$24.99

In 1856, Live Oak County was chartered by frontiersmen under the spreading limbs of a great live oak tree near the Nueces River. As far back as 12,000 years, hunter-gatherer Paleo-Indians subsisted on berries, roots, and megafauna like mastodons in this timeless frontier. Cabeza de Vaca, prisoner of Coahuiltecans in 1535, provided the first European description of the area. The Spanish then explored and unsuccessfully attempted to colonize the region, and when Spanish troops withdrew from Texas in 1813, the sole Spanish colonizers in the area, the Ramirez brothers, abandoned their ranch and left with them. Shiploads of Irish immigrants next arrived between 1828 and 1834, and following the Civil War, herds of wild Longhorns driven north turned drovers like George West into wealthy cattle barons. The early-1900s arrival of the railroad created new towns, causing others to die. Today's Live Oak County citizens draw on its indomitable pioneering spirit to meet new 21st-century challenges.

Cover image for Live Oak County, isbn: 9780738595337

White Rock Lake

9780738578835

$24.99

In 1909, Dallas city leaders approved the damming of White Rock Creek to create a new water source for the increasing needs of a growing city. As a result, so much of the life and history of Dallas has echoed through the life and history of White Rock Lake. In the early decades, the lake was home to many private summer homes and boat houses, as well as hunting and fishing clubs. Soon thereafter, a bathing beach, sailing clubs, public boathouses, and picnic facilities were added. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration transformed the lake with more recreational and leisure amenities. World War II brought increased military uses that included a POW camp for German officers. Those early city leaders could hardly know that the lake they were creating 10 miles outside of Dallas would become an urban oasis enjoyed by over two million visitors a year.

Cover image for White Rock Lake, isbn: 9780738578835

La Histórica Plaza del Mercado en San Antonio

9781467127363

$24.99

San Antonio fue fundada en 1718, para 1730 el virrey de Nueva España emitió órdenes de trazar mapas de plazas y parques para la llegada de los isleños de las Canarias en 1731. Las plazas con sus mercados se convirtieron en centros de negocios y entretenimiento. La primera fue Plaza de las Armas y cuando los isleños llegaron, marcaron Plaza de las Islas (Plaza Principal). Plaza del Álamo era el centro de comercio antes de la guerra civil; al ir creciendo San Antonio los mercados se tuvieron que relocalizar. La construcción del Mercado Municipal empezó en 1899. Éste fue construido en Plaza Paschal y demolido en los 1930s pero el anexo del Mercado Municipal, construido en los 1920s, sobrevivió. Los anexos se convirtieron en El Mercado y Centro de Artes. En los 1970s, un edificio permanente para el mercado de agricultores fue construido en la Plaza de Zacate. Hoy éstos, con los edificios históricos en el área, son conocidos como El Mercado.

Cover image for La Histórica Plaza del Mercado en San Antonio, isbn: 9781467127363

Azle

9780738595924

$24.99

Early Azle settlers began arriving in the mid-1850s and settled near Ash Creek. Azle had several names before settling down to one. An early name was Mooresville after the town's general store owner, Mr. Moore, who supplied the farmers of the community. Following several other name changes, citizens decided upon Azle in 1883 after Dr. James Azle Steward, who donated land for the townsite. The town remained small until the building of Eagle Mountain Lake in the 1930s spurred its growth. Further development occurred when World War II brought more people to the area. After nearly a century, the little community officially incorporated in 1957. Images of America: Azle tells the story of numerous pioneer families and their schools, churches, and early businesses. Today, Azle is a close-knit community with various social and civic organizations, as well as parades and jamborees.

Cover image for Azle, isbn: 9780738595924

Ennis

9780738558592

$24.99

In 1871, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad reached what would soon become Ennis, Texas. A year later, the city was officially established and named for Cornelius Ennis, a Houston and Texas Central Railroad tycoon. It became home to many, including a number of Civil War veterans. Czech immigrants also made Ennis their home, adding their rich cultural heritage to this growing city. In its "Wild West" days, there were as many as 13 saloons in the city, and it became a popular train stop for as many as 10 passenger trains a day. A thriving cotton industry brought thousands to the downtown district on Trade Days. Family, tradition, and a strong sense of community have always been the foundation from which Ennis has prospered. This remains evident with yearly events such as the Bluebonnet Trails and Festival, the National Polka Festival, and the Christmas Parade of Lights.

Cover image for Ennis, isbn: 9780738558592

Fort Worth's Oakhurst Neighborhood

9781467131162

$24.99

In 1924, civic leader and developer John P. King promoted Fort Worth's Oakhurst neighborhood as country life for the city man. He appealed to those who wanted space for artesian water, cool breezes, gardens in a hillside setting, and a utopian atmosphere for their children. King—the creator of a confectionery company known for King's candies for American queens—made a park-like neighborhood in a part of Riverside just a few miles from downtown Fort Worth. Thoughtful landscape design and charming architecture are hallmarks of this all-American neighborhood, beloved for its small-town, community feel well into its 90th year.

Cover image for Fort Worth's Oakhurst Neighborhood, isbn: 9781467131162

Waco, Texas A Postcard Journey

9780738502977

$24.99

From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this golden age can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy
street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local townspeople only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history.

Cover image for Waco, Texas A Postcard Journey, isbn: 9780738502977

Around Farmersville

9780738579719

$24.99

In 1900, due to its cotton production, Farmersville was the wealthiest Texas town of its size, with a population of 1,856. Originally called Sugar Hill, the town gradually moved to another location a few miles away. Because most residents during those years survived by farming and raising their own food, they named their community Farmersville. Fortunate to have such rich black soil, Farmersville became a hub of cotton production. During the 1920s and 1930s, onions became the money crop. Nearly every farmer had onions planted, and 1,000 railroad cars a year were filled with onions that shipped throughout the nation. Farmersville had certainly lived up to its name. In later years, farming declined in Collin County, but the town has adjusted to that loss and thrives today without forgetting its farming roots.

Cover image for Around Farmersville, isbn: 9780738579719

Denton County

9780738584522

$24.99

The history of Denton County, founded in 1846, has been well preserved through postcards. These images, produced from vintage photographs and artist renditions, reflect a time when communication through postcards was quicker, easier, and less expensive than writing a letter. Inside this book, readers are treated to charming snapshots of local history depicting churches, the downtown public square, businesses, public schools, the two newly created universities, railroad depots, trolleys, the earliest automobiles, and some of Denton County's most familiar town views and tourist attractions.

Cover image for Denton County, isbn: 9780738584522

Roanoke

9780738584584

$24.99

The first pioneers who came to the Roanoke area in 1844 were led by Lewis and Charles Medlin of Missouri. This group consisted of about 20 families, including the 10 sons of the Medlin brothers. They came for an opportunity where each married man could obtain 640 acres and single men could receive 320 acres. Settlers were primarily looking for water, timber, and abundant game, which they found near Denton Creek. They built log houses and a school (where church was held), and they soon began businesses to sustain their new town. Today Roanoke is a fast growing, small city that is distinguished by a charming and eclectic downtown and steady lines of hungry diners. Roanoke was appointed "the Unique Dining Capital of Texas" for its concentration of delicious and entertaining family-owned restaurants and welcomes thousands of visitors each year to enjoy many special events, including the annual Celebrate Roanoke in October.

Cover image for Roanoke, isbn: 9780738584584

Texas Citrus Fiesta

9781467131544

$24.99

The Texas Citrus Fiesta has remained an exciting celebration since its beginnings in 1932. At that time, Mission civic leaders decided to promote the citrus industry through a festival featuring decorated streets and store windows, a parade, coronation of a king and queen, a court with ladies-in-waiting, a queen's ball, exhibits for citrus growers, and a variety of contests and activities. Social leaders, working through their clubs, added a style show of costumes covered with fruit, vegetable, and flower pieces. Children marched in their own unique parade. The Golden Grapefruit Golf Tournament was added in 1934. Today, directors of the Texas Citrus Fiesta continue these traditional events and others added since 1932. The creativity inspired by the festival, the recognition of regional participants, and the experienced planning needed to accommodate thousands of residents and visitors combine to make Mission's annual Texas Citrus Fiesta a premier event in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Cover coming soon placeholder for Texas Citrus Fiesta

Houston Fire Department

9781467132985

$24.99

Houston's firefighting service began in 1838 with the founding of Protection Fire Company No. 1. As the city of Houston grew throughout the early and mid-19th century, volunteer companies formed and grew along with it. By 1895, city leaders decided to form the Houston Fire Department as a city department, culling the volunteer forces for men, stations, apparatus, and horses. The city grew in leaps and bounds, swallowing up neighborhoods, communities, and smaller cities along the way, with the fire department nipping at their heels. This brave force battled devastating fires throughout the years, most notably the Great Fifth Ward Fire in 1912, the 1943 Gulf Hotel Fire, the Woodway Square Apartment Conflagration in 1979 and the Southwest Inn Fire in 2013. What was once a smattering of volunteer fire brigades has grown into an imposing force of over 3,000 firefighters protecting over two million people in the fourth largest city in the United States.

Cover coming soon placeholder for Houston Fire Department product.

Southlake Carroll Dragon Football

9781467134439

$24.99

High school football has been called Texas's favorite pastime. If you follow the sport, you have heard of the Southlake Carroll Dragons. That is what happens when a district wins eight state football championships and three national high school championships. The Dragon tradition began in 1959 with the formation of the Carroll Independent School District. With the growth of the Dallas–Fort Worth area, families were attracted to Southlake and the school district's high academic standards and competitive football program. Some of the most successful Texas high school football coaches have blown their whistles in Dragon Stadium—Bob Ledbetter, Todd Dodge, Hal Wasson, and others have kept the Dragons in the record books.

Cover coming soon placeholder for Southlake Carroll Dragon Football

Slaton

9781467133517

$24.99

Slaton, Texas, has a very rich and interesting history. The journey began in 1911 with the clickety-clack of the railroad track of the Santa Fe Railroad. Slaton was named after local rancher and banker O.L. Slaton on May 11, 1911. It was nicknamed Tent City in the beginning, because the first citizens lived in tents while construction began on small framed houses and buildings. June 15, 1911, was the official opening day of the city as people came by train, wagon, and on foot. Soon, the Harvey House restaurant was established, giving not only delicious cuisine but also meals served by attentive and attractive women who became known as the Harvey girls. Slaton became the center of the largest division in the Santa Fe system, servicing four daily northbound and southbound trains between Amarillo and Sweetwater. Today, you still hear the lonesome sound of the Santa Fe rolling through town, and the Harvey House is still open to the public. Slaton is a small West Texas community of approximately 6,129 citizens and is located 15 miles southeast of Lubbock.

Slaton product cover placeholder with coming soon notice

Baseball in Dallas

9780738532820

$24.99

The city of Dallas has a rich baseball history extending back to the 1870s when the professional game first found roots in Texas. In 1888, the Dallas Hams were a founding member (and first champion) of the professional Texas League. With the major leagues far away to the north, a relationship was established between the city of Dallas and one of America's premier minor league. It lasted on and off until 1971, when the Texas Rangers entered Major League Baseball. During that by-gone era, players like Curley Maloney, Jewel Ens, and Zeke Bonura were the heroes for countless local baseball fans. Hall of Famers Ted Williams (as manager), Fergie Jenkins, and Nolan Ryan all spent time in a Rangers' uniform. In more recent times, Ranger players like Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez, and Ivan Rodriguez have become heroes to baseball fans across the nation.

Cover image for Baseball in Dallas, isbn: 9780738532820

Wings Over San Antonio

9780738508146

$24.99

In March 1910, Lt. Benjamin Foulois was ordered to Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio, Texas, with a used Wright Brothers aeroplane and a small contingent of enlisted men. His mission was to teach himself how to operate this primitive flying machine and begin demonstrating the practical uses it might have for the United States Army. This history is chronicled through in-depth captions and over 200 images as author Mel Brown tells the story of how San Antonio eventually became the cradle of military aviation. Mastery of the air would take time, equipment, and lives as the demanding flight path led from the early trials at Ft. Sam to the eventual establishment of four flying centers around the city. Working through trial and error, the aeronautic pioneers and first combat aviators convinced the military that the building of an American air arm was needed; thus the legend of the U.S. Air Force at San Antonio was born. Using many photographs never before published, the author tells the rich history of the air force bases in San Antonio, including Kelly, Brooks, and Randolph Fields. Also included are images of some of aviation's first heroes, such as Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and Clair Chennault.

Cover image for Wings Over San Antonio, isbn: 9780738508146

Port Isabel

9780738596877

$24.99

In the 1830s, a small community known as El Fronton de Santa Isabel set roots on the banks of the Laguna Madre Bay. Official claim for the land was granted to Don Rafael Garcia as part of the Potrero (Pasture) de Santa Isabel in 1828. Less than two decades later, Point Isabel was home to Zachary Taylor's Fort Polk and found itself a home base during the Mexican-American War. In 1853, construction was completed on the Point Isabel lighthouse, a navigational beacon with a 16-mile view. Port Isabel was incorporated in 1928, and a deep-water port shipped its first commercial load in 1937. By the 1950s, Port Isabel was the Shrimping Capital of the World, and the first Queen Isabella Causeway connected South Padre Island to the mainland. Port Isabel continues to deepen its roots on the banks of the Laguna Madre Bay. Heritage and cultural tourism, a relaxed quality of life, and an appreciation for all things coastal are synonymous with Port Isabel.

Cover image for Port Isabel, isbn: 9780738596877

Rains County

9780738579986

$24.99

This fourth-smallest county in Texas was created in December 1870 from parts of Wood, Hunt, Van Zandt, and Hopkins Counties. The county and the county seat are named after the founding father, Emory Rains. In the early days, cotton was king, and the towns were full of businesses that served the residents' needs. In 1902, the National Farmers Union was formed in Point, and with the decline of cotton, dairy and beef cattle are now the main industries. The Texas legislature designated Rains County as "Eagle Capital of Texas" in 1995 in order to protect and preserve the bald eagles who nest around the local lakes. Today, Emory is the home of the A.C. McMillan African American Museum, which preserves the African American culture of this area. Rains County is bordered by Lake Tawakoni for catfish fishing and Lake Fork for bass fishing. These lakes, along with annual festivals, draw thousands of visitors and outdoor enthusiasts each year. This pictorial history portrays the everyday life, influential people of the county, education, worship, and businesses from 1870 to 1950. "Come to Rains County where it rains when it wants to!"

Cover image for Rains County, isbn: 9780738579986

Delta County

9780738579320

$24.99

During the frenetic days of Reconstruction, Delta County claimed land between two branches of the Sulphur River, from Lamar and Hopkins Counties, and named itself after its shape and the third letter of the Greek alphabet. From its early days, Delta County became home to prosperous farmers who relocated from the South and who brought with them their knowledge of growing cotton as well as their traditions and cultures. At its heyday in the 1920s, the county boasted the densest rural population in the state. These pioneers believed strongly in education, and more than 40 schools dotted the county at one time, with many graduates of these rural schools becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, politicians, ministers, authors, musicians, lawyers, coaches, scientists, and athletes—as well as one All-American. For those who remained, those who returned, and those who chose this quiet corner of Northeast Texas, Delta County is home, with all the sweet and poignant implications of that word.

Cover image for Delta County, isbn: 9780738579320

Pilot Point

9780738571003

$24.99

The oldest town in Denton County, Pilot Point is situated atop the highest point in North Texas at a place that was once a landmark for wagon train pilots traveling through the region. In 1854, the town was platted and lots were sold, many to cross-country pioneers who were drawn to the abundance of fresh water, game, and fertile soil. The city began to grow more quickly after incorporation in 1867, and when the railroad arrived in 1880, Pilot Point became one of the busiest trading centers in North Texas, boasting both the largest cotton gin and university. From the early days of cowboys and cotton in the 1800s, to oil and cattle in the 1930s, to the changes that came with the 1960s, this new volume tells the unique story of Pilot Point.

Cover image for Pilot Point, isbn: 9780738571003

Sixth Street

9780738586694

$24.99

Now listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Sixth Street began more than 170 years ago as the only level pathway into the town of Austin from the east. Originally called Pecan Street, throughout its history the street was also a level playing field for merchants and minorities, for moneyed dynasties and little mom-and-pop places. When Austin was a segregated society, Sixth Street was a standout exception where people of all races lived and worked. By 1871, the arrival of the railroad kindled the explosive development of Pecan Street into Austin's first mercantile center. It was home to Austin's first hotel, Bullock's at Congress Avenue and Pecan Street; the first fight with the government of the new Republic of Texas; and the first brothel. In the 1970s, the commercial district suffered some deterioration. Then, as it has done before, Sixth Street was reborn, this time as the Sixth Street Historic Entertainment District. Loved by Austin residents and visitors alike, Sixth Street is Texas's most famous thoroughfare.

Cover image for Sixth Street, isbn: 9780738586694

Georgetown

9781467131605

$24.99

Founded in 1848, Georgetown's development was driven by cattle, cotton, railroads, and education. Author and Georgetown native Donna Scarbrough Josey brings the city's history to life through this remarkable collection of vintage photographs from the Georgetown Heritage Society, Williamson County Sun newspaper, Southwestern University, and private collections. Readers will explore the beautifully restored courthouse square, a railroad district revived for the 21st century, the oldest neighborhoods, Southwestern University, and storied places along the San Gabriel River.

Cover image for Georgetown, isbn: 9781467131605

Karnes County

9780738584928

$24.99

Karnes County's history is rich in folklore, tall tales, real-life feuds, and even an outlaw or two. Declared a county in 1854, it was named after Henry Karnes, a heroic peace negotiator and early Texas Ranger. Despite struggles along the way, the county has survived due to its strong and sturdy pioneers who came from many countries, including the first Polish community to arrive in the United States. From those beginnings and the desire to take advantage of the good ranch and farming lands, the county grew into a great area to raise a family. The local school districts have excellent standards, boasting high ratings in every area and even a state championship football team in Falls City that won the 1A division in 2010. Furthermore, the latest boom in oil and gas drilling is bringing a growth surge that is expected to continue for quite some time.

Cover image for Karnes County, isbn: 9780738584928

Lampasas County

9781467108935

$23.99

Lampasas County’s sulfur springs fueled early success in the region, but when the railroad extended past its small towns, prosperity waned. Today, Lampasas enjoys a renaissance as crowds, real estate prices, and high taxes drive people from the big cities into the countryside. These newcomers have taken an interest in the history of the county and have worked alongside natives to restore many historic sites.

Cover image for Lampasas County, isbn: 9781467108935

Historic Dallas Hotels

9780738578798

$24.99

In Dallas's infancy, accommodations for the traveler arriving by stage or horseback consisted of boardinghouses or unfurnished rooms, but within 10 years of the city's founding, Dallas could boast about what is considered to be its first hotel: Thomas Crutchfield's log cabin and livery stable. As the village evolved from town to city, these early facilities were replaced with elegantly appointed hotels that rivaled those in New York or Chicago and established Dallas as a modern city. As the 20th century progressed, many older hotels were replaced with up-to-date facilities, and the rise of the automobile following World War II saw the establishment of dozens of motels and motor courts. There were accommodations for every type of traveler, and Dallas had established itself as a hotel town.

Cover image for Historic Dallas Hotels, isbn: 9780738578798

San Antonio in the 1920s and 1930s

9780738501529

$24.99

While recounting the story of a childhood in San Antonio, Mary Linvingston also tells the story that exemplifies the opportunities and struggles faced by countless people growing up during this time of opportunity and change in America. The author's memories and reflections are illustrated by over 100 photographs, providing readers with an authentic view of life in San Antonio in the early twentieth century. From detailed accounts of canning fruits and vegetable during the Depression, watching movies at the Majestic Theater, and life on a domestic zoo, to colorful antecdotes about makeing tamales, shopping for shoes using an X-ray machine, and visiting the San Antonio parks and missions, this entertaining and educational book will give older readers and younger readers a glimps of a way of life that is long gone, but not forgotten.

Cover image for San Antonio in the 1920s and 1930s, isbn: 9780738501529

Houston's Sporting Life

9780738579740

$24.99

Houston has been a sports-crazy town since its founding in 1836 when the biggest pastime was watching the horse races held south of what was then the capitol of Texas. By 1900, spectators and athletes alike enjoyed the team sports played at every school in the city and suburbs. Companies competed with one another in baseball, basketball, and track. Boxing gyms dotted the wards, and downtown boasted billiard halls, bowling alleys, and indoor shooting galleries. There was also hunting and fishing, auto racing, swimming, and hockey at the Polar Wave, a mid-century indoor ice rink. This book presents a history of how Houstonians competed, where their recreation took them, and how they enjoyed a potential 12 months of "outdoor" weather. The 20th century was a fun and vibrant time for both fans and participants in the sporting and outdoor life of Houston, and many of today's fans of sports and local history look back on Houston's sporting past with a sense of nostalgia.

Cover image for Houston's Sporting Life, isbn: 9780738579740

Galveston

9780738558806

$26.99

On September 8, 1900, a devastating hurricane destroyed most of the island city of Galveston, along with the lives of more than 6,000 men, women, and children. Today that hurricane remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Despite this tragedy, many Galvestonians were determined to rebuild their city. An ambitious plan was developed to construct a wall against the sea, link the island to the mainland with a reliable concrete bridge, and raise the level of the city. While the grade was raised beneath them, houses were perched on stilts and residents made their way through town on elevated boardwalks. Galveston became a city on stilts. While Galvestonians worked to rebuild the infrastructure of their city, they also continued conducting business and participating in recreational activities. Zeva B. Edworthy's photographs document the rebuilding of the port city and life around Galveston in the early 1900s.

Cover image for Galveston, isbn: 9780738558806

Waco

9781467115520

$24.99

The story of Waco's modern era starts with a disaster and ends with rebirth. In 1953, a record-setting tornado swept through the city's downtown, killing 114 people and destroying a century's worth of original buildings. From the devastation came an ambitious urban renewal project, an explosion in suburban developments, and several cycles of waning and revitalization in the downtown area. Baylor University's steady growth in academic excellence and national exposure kept the city on the map. The images in this book detail the milestones and memories of a proud city founded in the 1840s, and they highlight achievements both personal and civic.

Cover image for Waco, isbn: 9781467115520

Mission

9780738571485

$24.99

Mission is named for the chapel built at La Lomita ("little hill") on a former Spanish land grant. During the 1850s, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate began serving the ranches between Brownsville and Roma. La Lomita was a resting place midway through their 100-mile circuit. In 1908, developers John J. Conway and James W. Hoit bought land from the Oblate Fathers and established the town of Mission, just north of La Lomita. They advertised throughout the Midwest, and soon farmers arrived by rail, wagon, and automobile. Through the efforts of Nebraskan John H. Shary, the citrus industry flourished, and Mission became renowned for its grapefruit. Three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, baseball great Leo Najo, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient José M. Lopez have all lived in Mission. Their tradition of leadership continues within the fields of medicine, education, military service, and ecotourism.

Cover image for Mission, isbn: 9780738571485

Braniff Airways

9781467134408

$24.99

Braniff Airways: Flying Colors takes readers on a magical flight through the history of Braniff International Airways, beginning with its small-town Oklahoma roots to its high-flying and stylish span of the globe. Braniff brought together the mystery of aviation with the glamorous fields of fashion, art, and design, and taught the flying world how to fly with style and beauty. It is this remarkable joining of forces that has made Braniff as popular today as it was when flying in style across the Atlantic and Pacific.

Braniff Airways product cover placeholder with cover coming soon text

Stephenville Yellow Jacket Football

9780738584935

$24.99

In Texas, high school football is king. If pigskin passion is no less intense among college and professional fans, enthusiasm for the schoolboy sport is more democratically spread throughout towns and communities, small and large. Almost any young man can play if he's willing to pay the price, work hard, and bring a bit of local, regional, or statewide glory to his hometown. Stephenville High School is one among an elite group of Texas football schools that has achieved at the highest level. The traditional rivalry games against Dublin and Breckenridge in the 1920s through the 1940s have evolved into heavily attended matchups with seven-time state champion Brownwood and, most recently, three-time state champion Aledo. From Joe Brown and Jim Mobley's powerhouse teams of the 1930s to Mike Murphy's 1952 regional qualifying squad, the Yellow Jackets have contended with the best in Texas. With four state championships, Art Briles made the 1990s a "Decade of Dominance" for Stephenville High School. Yellow Jacket football fever remains alive and well, promising to remain so long into the indefinite future.

Cover image for Stephenville Yellow Jacket Football, isbn: 9780738584935

Val Verde County

9780738501284

$24.99

Along the banks of the Rio Grande lies Val Verde County, one of the largest counties in Texas and the only one named for a Civil War battle. Although Del Rio is the county seat, Langtry is more famous as the home of Judge Roy Bean, the famous (as well as
infamous) Law West of the Pecos. Among the many evocative images of the county featured in this new
book are photos of the judge's unique court/saloon. Val Verde County captures the spirit of a region and its people through historic photographs. Most of the topics included are not strictly local in nature:
Pre-Columbian art, United States westward expansion,
the creation of the state of Texas, radio and modern
telecommunications, military history and the Cuban
Missile Crisis, and the oldest continually operating
winery in Texas. From being the oldest archaeological
site in Texas to playing a role in international relations between the United States and Mexico, Val Verde County undoubtedly has a rich and varied history.

Cover image for Val Verde County, isbn: 9780738501284

Rockwall

9780738579726

$24.99

Since the first settlers came to the area in the 1840s, Rockwall has been transformed from a pioneer colony, to a thriving farm community, and then to its current status as a popular suburb of Dallas.

Cover image for Rockwall, isbn: 9780738579726

Heath

9781467133494

$24.99

When John O. Heath first settled in the area now known as Heath in 1848, wild turkey and deer were as plentiful as the area's timber and rich, black soil. The fertile land and convenient location along the east fork of the Trinity River prompted several settlers to follow the Heath family's lead, and Heath experienced steady growth in the early 1900s, with several businesses and schools in operation. Life was hard in those days, with food and money hard to come by, but locals found sanctuary in social gatherings, endless games of 42, mink hunting in the winter, and baseball. Heath's economy was given a big lift when the lake adjacent to the community, known as Lake Ray Hubbard, was filled in 1969 after a seemingly endless rain. With the attraction of the lake and developments that stemmed from it, such as the Rush Creek Yacht Club, Heath now faces the challenge of maintaining steady growth while continuing to stick to its roots as a charming, tight-knit community with an open countryside atmosphere.

Cover image for Heath, isbn: 9781467133494

Sugar Land

9780738578804

$24.99

Sugar Land's earliest settlers arrived in the 1820s with Stephen F. Austin, "the Father of Texas." Originally named Oakland Plantation, the area was planted with cotton, corn, and sugar cane, and by 1843, it had its own sugar mill. Benjamin Franklin Terry, famous for leading Terry's Texas Rangers, and William Jefferson Kyle purchased the plantation in 1852 and were the first to name it Sugar Land. Col. Edward H. Cunningham, a Confederate veteran, later bought the property and built the first sugar refinery as well as a railroad to transport cane from nearby plantations. Under his ownership, a fledgling town emerged that included a store, post office, paper mill, acid plant, meat market, boardinghouse, and depot. The town, refinery, and surrounding 12,500 acres were acquired by Isaac H. Kempner and William T. Eldridge in 1908. Their vision resulted in Imperial Sugar, a thriving business and company town.

Cover image for Sugar Land, isbn: 9780738578804

Cotton on the South Plains

9780738595856

$24.99

Today's cotton production on the South Plains barely resembles the cotton culture of 100 years ago. When cotton first came to the South Plains it was very labor intensive, with every stage of production depending on large amounts of hand labor. The planting, cultivating, and picking or pulling of cotton were all done by hand. Often, the harvested cotton was transported to gins in wagons pulled by teams of horses or mules. Today, due to the many improvements in the industry, most cotton is grown without ever being touched by human hands. The story of cotton on the South Plains is the story of continuous change, improvement, and mechanization.

Cover image for Cotton on the South Plains, isbn: 9780738595856

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

Lampasas County

9781467126977

$24.99

Native American tales of the medicinal sulfur springs found in what is now Lampasas County drew settlers and, later, tourists who sought cures for various ailments throughout the 19th century. The region soon became known as the Saratoga of the South, and when the first passenger train arrived in Lampasas in 1882, it opened a new market for the local waters. Entrepreneurial citizens capitalized on the springs, building bathhouses, opera houses, and other amenities. In 1884, the Lampasas County Courthouse was built—the third-oldest Texas courthouse still in use today. Vestiges of Lampasas's heyday are found in Hanna Springs and Hancock Park, which remains a thriving recreational area with a free-flow sulfur pool and an 18-hole golf course. Public murals, a sculpture garden, historic sites, and a proud engaged community draw people to Lampasas County today.

Cover image for Lampasas County, isbn: 9781467126977

African Americans in Amarillo

9780738571287

$24.99

Amarillo became a town in 1887 when merchants opened stores to cater to railroad workers. The first African Americans in the area were Jerry Callaway, who came to the area in 1888 with a white family, and Mathew "Bones" Hooks, a highly respected cowboy who moved to Amarillo in 1900 and later worked for the railroad. By 1908, five African American families had moved to Amarillo. The black community grew and people established churches, businesses, and schools. With the 1950s and 1960s, Amarillo citizens participated in ending segregation and bringing about equality. Today African Americans in Amarillo are still bound together by their churches but have access to many opportunities both locally and nationally. They are justifiably proud of their rich heritage.

Cover image for African Americans in Amarillo, isbn: 9780738571287

Cleburne

9780738571195

$24.99

Once known for its cotton production and Jersey cows, Cleburne has evolved from its agricultural heritage into a diverse community. This former Civil War training camp, located near Buffalo Creek, was named for Confederate general Patrick Cleburne when it became the county seat in 1867. Just west of town, cowboys moved cattle up the Chisholm Trail before the Santa Fe Railway brought jobs and money in 1881. As lieutenant commander of the navy dirigible USS Akron, Charles Rosendahl soared over his childhood home of Cleburne in 1932. From early opera and movie houses, saloons, and congested trade days, to live theaters, parks, and modern industries, Cleburne continues to progress. Today a new economy and booming growth have emerged due to the Barnett Shale gas exploration.

Cover image for Cleburne, isbn: 9780738571195

Austin College

9780738578576

$24.99

Austin College has a heritage that is unsurpassed in the history of Texas higher education. Named in memory of Stephen F. Austin, it received a charter from the State of Texas in 1849, making the school the oldest college or university in the state operating under its original name and charter. Sam Houston, Anson Jones, and Henderson Yoakum served on its original board of trustees. The college first held classes in Huntsville during the fall of 1850 and moved to Sherman in 1876. Today the school is a nationally ranked private liberal arts college committed to leadership, learning, and lasting values that brings a global perspective to its student body and programs.

Cover image for Austin College, isbn: 9780738578576

Luling

9780738571454

$24.99

One historian described Luling in the 1870s as the toughest town in Texas. Along with the railroad came notorious gamblers who were ready to take a man's hard-earned money any way they could. But when settlers enforced what laws there were and established permanent homes, churches, and a school, the rougher crowd sought greener pastures. In the southern corner of Caldwell County, Luling had at first an agrarian-based economy, but that changed with the discovery of oil, which boosted the population from a few hundred residents to several thousand. The oil industry and related businesses kept the population steady. Luling soil also proved beneficial to crops such as cotton, but the area's prize crop became watermelons. Today oil and watermelons keep Luling on the map, and the annual Watermelon Thump attracts thousands. At the crossroads of three important highways, businesses flourish, especially barbecue, which is considered by some to be the best in the state.

Cover image for Luling, isbn: 9780738571454

Seagoville

9780738578637

$24.99

Seagoville was founded in 1879 by T. K. Seago, who also donated the land that brought the Texas and New Orleans Railroad. With the arrival of this new railroad, Seagoville became an industrial frontier. The first church was organized in 1872, and the first bank was founded in 1905. By 1911, the city could boast that there were seven citizens who owned automobiles. Although the Great Depression had its impact, there were no bread lines in town because the local cannery provided employment. The movie actor Chill Wills was born here and went on to star with such noted actors as John Wayne and Spencer Tracy. During World War II, the city sent 228 of its 720 citizens to the armed services. Even today, numerous stories circulate about the infamous Bonnie and Clyde spending time in town.

Cover image for Seagoville, isbn: 9780738578637

Lewisville

9780738579931

$24.99

Originally known as Holford's Prairie, Lewisville's name is not the only thing that has changed about this town in its long history. Settlers sponsored by the Peters Colony Company founded the small community in the 1840s. In the ensuing years, the settlement, renamed to Lewisville by Basdeal W. Lewis in 1856, consistently grew and prospered until its incorporation in 1925. Cotton farming and ginning, the arrival of the Dallas and Wichita Railroad in 1881, the expansion of Lake Dallas into Lake Lewisville in 1954, and the opening of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1974 ensured that Lewisville became an important commercial center in booming North Texas. Throughout its phenomenal growth, however, Lewisville still retained the charm and bonds of its farm-centered past. Today Lewisville boasts the largest population and school district in Denton County and serves as a suburb for the bustling Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Cover image for Lewisville, isbn: 9780738579931

McKinney Avenue Trolleys

9780738584973

$24.99

Streetcar lines grew and prospered in Dallas from 1872 until the 1920s. Automobile competition siphoned many of their riders away, but ridership soared again during World War II. After the war, the trolleys entered an era of gradual attrition, and they were abandoned by 1956. Amazingly, in 1989, the nonprofit McKinney Avenue Transit Authority (MATA) returned restored vintage trolley cars to the city in the Uptown neighborhood near downtown. MATA evolved from a tourist attraction into a true transit company and became the M-Line. Since then, the area has experienced rapid growth and is now home to midrise office buildings and upscale apartments.

Cover image for McKinney Avenue Trolleys, isbn: 9780738584973

Historic Downtown Rosenberg

9781467133333

$24.99

Rosenberg was created and thrived with the expansion of the railroad. From the first house in 1883, the city grew to become the Hub of the Gulf Coast. Rosenberg was the center of commerce for settlers of all nationalities attracted here by fertile land and economic opportunity. In just 30 years, 56 businesses, including banks, loan and land development companies, merchants, doctors, and lawyers, were in the four-block area of the original Downtown Rosenberg Business District. Even celebrities came. For instance, outlaws Bonnie and Clyde ate their last meal at the Eagle Café in 1934. Also, actors John Wayne, Shirley Temple, and Roy Rogers could occasionally be found outside the Cole Theater, and while campaigning, Lyndon B. Johnson had his helicopter land on a downtown roof.

Placeholder cover for Historic Downtown Rosenberg with the words Cover Coming Soon.

Legendary Locals of the Big Bend and Davis Mountains

9781467100540

$24.99

Home of the Last Frontier is how the local radio station aptly describes the Big Bend and Davis Mountains region of West Texas, the sparsely populated area of desert and mountain close to the Mexican border. After 1848, the first settlers started to move in. They came to make a living, and a few made a fortune. Mysterious cattle baron Milton Faver ran 10,000 cattle in the 1870s. Others came for their health, like J.O. Langford, his wife, and young daughters who, seeking a dry climate, came to homestead on the Rio Grande. Today's newcomers are equally pioneering in their own way. Donald Judd was the catalyst that changed Marfa from a moribund cow town to an internationally recognized art center. Edie Elfring, an immigrant from a small island in the Baltic Sea, has picked up trash and tended Alpine's public gardens—unasked and unpaid—for years. They were drawn to what their predecessors found: a boundless landscape peopled by a few hardy, independent souls.

Cover image for Legendary Locals of the Big Bend and Davis Mountains, isbn: 9781467100540

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

Midlothian

9780738579450

$24.99

Smithville

9780738570624

$24.99

Smithville's reputation is that of a railroad town, yet it offers an even richer history. Fertile land and the Colorado River attracted pioneers with energy, dreams, and a hunger to build. After Thomas Gazley chose head-right land in Stephen F. Austin's Second Colony in 1827, area settlers joined the fray to secure a Texas free from Mexico's supremacy. Some represented Bastrop County in the new Republic of Texas's legislature. Others stayed home and built a village on the banks of the Colorado. Businessmen influenced the growth of Smithville by attracting the railroad, and soon Smithville was the largest city in the county, offering a place for businesses and families to thrive. Smithville's fortunes have risen and fallen with the railroad, the river, and the Central Texas economy, and it has again become a vital community, this time nurturing scientists, artists, filmmakers, and antique lovers.

Cover image for Smithville, isbn: 9780738570624

Stephen F. Austin State University Jacks

9780738571805

$24.99

Stephen F. Austin State University opened its doors in 1923, and its administrators instituted intercollegiate athletics almost immediately. Over the next eight decades, the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks—team names derived from the area's predominant forest products industries—participated successfully in the Lone Star, Gulf Star, and Southland Conferences. Such outstanding Lumberjacks as James Silas, Mark Moseley, and Jeremiah Trotter have even gone on to successful careers in the NBA and NFL. This book offers readers a retrospective look at the success of SFA's athletic programs, as well as the players, coaches, and fans that led them to victory.

Cover image for Stephen F. Austin State University Jacks, isbn: 9780738571805

Walker County

9781467127127

$24.99

Founded in 1846, Walker County is a scenic, sprawling territory of 800 square miles located in the southeastern region of Texas. Huntsville, the county seat, serves as home to Sam Houston State University, the Texas State Penitentiary, and Huntsville State Park. New Waverly, Riverside, and other smaller towns dot the landscape, which remains rustic and beautiful, with rolling hills, open prairies, and piney woods. Visitors to the area may find museums, restaurants, shops, and sporting events to attend.

Cover image for Walker County, isbn: 9781467127127

Greeks in Houston

9781467130295

$24.99

This history of the Greeks in Houston is really the story of individuals who worked diligently to forge new lives for themselves even as they maintained their Greek identity and their Orthodox faith. The efforts of many of the founders are immortalized in the buildings that constitute the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral complex. Their names remind us of their hard work and commitment to establishing their koinonia (communion) in Houston. There are many other names that have gone unremarked over the decades but to whom we owe just as much for their tenacity and dedication. And there are the new generations who inherited this legacy and keep it vibrant through the stewardship of their faith and culture.

Cover image for Greeks in Houston, isbn: 9781467130295

Manchaca

9781467130516

$24.99

Manchaca, which takes its name from nearby Manchaca Springs, is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills about 10 miles south of Austin. Spanish land grants issued in the 1830s opened the land for settlement, and by the 1850s, stage stop Manchac Springs was established, bringing new settlers through the area. Many liked what they saw and settled in. The population grew in great bounds when the International & Great Northern Railroad laid track through Manchaca in 1881, which led to the building of a new school and several mercantile stores. By the turn of the century, Manchaca had grown into a bustling community.

Cover image for Manchaca, isbn: 9781467130516

Crane

9780738595825

$24.99

Crane is the county seat and only town in Crane County, Texas. Hot, windy, and impossibly dry, save for the Pecos River and the oil bubbling below, people still have been migrating to or passing through it for hundreds of years. In 1583, Spanish explorers traversed the Pecos at a ford known as Horsehead Crossing. In 1858, the crossing became an important stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail route. Famous adventurers Charles Goodnight and Oliver Loving trekked through the crossing in 1866. Castle Gap, a mountain with castle-like boulders, offered shelter to prehistoric people. Likewise, forty-niners sought protection there while migrating to California. Legend states that the Mexican emperor Maximilian once buried vast golden treasures there. Nearby, Juan Cordona Salt Lake provided salt to Native American traders. Historically, ranching has been important in Crane County, although oil is king in the region, being one of the largest oil-producing counties in Texas. Throughout the years, the city of Crane has maintained a consistent population of approximately 3,500, subsisting primarily on the oil and gas industry.

Cover image for Crane, isbn: 9780738595825

Houston's Courtlandt Place

9780738571096

$24.99

In 1906, Houston was poised to become a great city. The construction of its first skyscraper began (only eight stories); dredging commenced for the Houston Ship Channel; and Carrie Nation paid a visit and inflicted $750 damage on a saloon named after her, leaving no doubt that she wanted the name changed. Rambunctious growth, the proliferation of streetcar lines, and the emergence of the automobile pushed Houston's boundaries outward. When unrestricted commercialism encroached on the mansions of the city's elite, they abandoned downtown and formed private residential enclaves beyond the chaos. One of the earliest, fashioned after the private places of St. Louis, was Courtlandt Place. Developed for Houston's first big businessmen and power brokers, its story has been linked with the city's history for more than 100 years. The exceptional Courtlandt Place is on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a triumph of historic preservation.

Cover image for Houston's Courtlandt Place, isbn: 9780738571096

Krum

9780738579917

$24.99

Krum is one of the crown jewels of North Texas. Located north of Fort Worth and just west of Denton, Krum was once famous for an award-winning strain of wheat. The town even established three grain mills to accommodate wheat production. Over a million pounds of grain were shipped in 1900, when Krum was known as the largest wagon grain market in the United States. The town now serves northwest Denton County as a center for agricultural, financial, and emergency services, with its citizens as Krum's major asset. Descendants of many of the original settlers are still here by preference and are proud to tell the world they live in Krum. Why go anywhere else?

Cover image for Krum, isbn: 9780738579917

Mexican American Baseball in the Alamo Region

9781467133388

$24.99

Mexican American Baseball in the Alamo Region celebrates the game as it was played in the Tejano and Tejana communities throughout Texas. This regional focus explores the importance of the game at a time when Spanish-speaking people were demanding cultural acceptance and their political and civil rights in cities like San Antonio, Corpus Christi, New Braunfels, San Diego, Kingsville, and Pleasanton. All had thriving Mexican American communities that found comfort in the game and pride in their abilities on the field. On these pages are historical images and wonderful stories that are now immortalized, taking their rightful place in the annuals of the game. ¡Viva Tejas, Viva Béisbol, y Viva los Peloteros!

Cover coming soon placeholder for Mexican American Baseball in the Alamo Region

The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education

9781467130820

$24.99

For the past 40 years, the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) has been on the forefront of advocacy to improve opportunity in higher education for US persons of Mexican origin. Chicano faculty at the University of Texas, together with a few Chicano students, organized the group's first gatherings in 1974, and since then, TACHE has held thematic annual conferences that signal its mission and program focus and allow professional networking. Chicano faculty and students in colleges and universities have increased, but much still remains to be done. Although funding for education is drastically being cut, Chicano and Latino students are at the front door of higher education, and the number of college-ready students is reaching significant levels across the nation. The official designation of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), for schools with Chicano and Latino student enrollment in excess of 25 percent, has become a badge of honor among colleges and universities.

Cover image for The Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, isbn: 9781467130820

Jefferson

9780738585321

$24.99

Jefferson, Texas, began as a simple ferry crossing on the Big Cypress Bayou. By 1841, Allen Urquhart had realized the potential for a town at this spot and purchased 640 acres. Daniel Alley bought the adjacent tract, and the city of Jefferson was born. The town flourished as a steamship port during the 1800s and became the second-largest city in Texas. Steamboats from as far south as New Orleans would dock in Jefferson, unloading travelers and freight before taking on new cargo and starting on the return trip. When the water levels in the bayou eventually fell, Jefferson was no longer accessible by steamship, and the population began to dwindle. Many saw this as the end of the city. However, the 1960s brought a rebirth to the town, and today Jefferson shares its rich history with travelers from across the nation.

Cover image for Jefferson, isbn: 9780738585321

Lancaster

9780738578767

$24.99

In 1841, the Republic of Texas was on the brink of bankruptcy, and it needed to attract new immigrants in order to survive. With this important goal in mind, in 1844 the Texas congress authorized the republic's president, Sam Houston, to contract with individuals to colonize the state. In September of that same year, one group headed by Capt. Roderick Rawlins from Illinois came to Texas and settled in what would become the town of Lancaster. Farmers grew grains and cotton, and Lancaster became a trade center with a lively town square. A commercial club organized in order to coordinate advertising for local businesses, and it also held trade days that later became town fairs. Local residents worked hard all week and enjoyed horse races, baseball, forty-two parties, music performances, and other entertainment on the weekends. By the late 1800s, Lancaster was connected to the rest of the state by the railroads, but the town still retained its independent, small-town Texas character.

Cover image for Lancaster, isbn: 9780738578767

The SMS Ranch

9781467126830

$24.99

Few images captivate the Western imagination more than the Texas cowboy at home on the range, herding, corralling, throwing and branding cattle, bronc busting, dining from chuck wagons, and sleeping under the stars. The SMS Ranch in the early 1900s was exactly such a place. Spanning hundreds of thousands of acres and holding land in 12 Northwest Texas counties, the SMS was formed by early Swedish immigrant to the Republic of Texas Swante Magnus Swenson. Swenson, a good friend of Sam Houston, had a penchant for wise financial decisions and, by the late 1800s, lived in New York with offices on Wall Street. Swenson sent his two sons to manage his vast Texas landholdings. In 1902, they hired legendary cattleman Frank Hastings to manage the SMS Ranch, headquartered in Stamford, Texas, north of Abilene and west of Fort Worth. Hastings's wife, Laura, and daughter Ruth photographed life on the ranch, and many professional photographers visited the SMS as well, leaving a rich visual legacy.

Cover coming soon placeholder for The SMS Ranch product.

The Quadrangle

9781467128667

$24.99

Designed by Q.M. Gen. Montgomery Meigs and built in 1876 as a quartermaster supply depot, the Quadrangle evolved into a major regional headquarters. The Quadrangle has become synonymous with Fort Sam Houston. It has been immortalized in the art of Porfirio Salinas and the jewelry of James Avery. In Texas, the Quadrangle at Fort Sam Houston stands second only to the Alamo in historical significance. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1974 for its military contribution to the defense of the United States through the Indian Wars, the war with Spain, and both world wars as well as Korea, Vietnam, and the global war on terrorism, the Quadrangle continues its role as an active participant in national defense as the headquarters responsible for the land defense of North America. For almost 150 years, military activities have been conducted in the Quadrangle, and many of America's greatest soldiers and airmen have served within its walls—Ranald Mackenzie, Tasker Bliss, Frederick Funston, John J. Pershing, Billy Mitchell, Walter Krueger, and Jonathan M. Wainwright.

Cover image for The Quadrangle, isbn: 9781467128667

Plano

9780738507682

$24.99

The history of Plano, Texas is as rich as the soil that attracted early settlers to the area in the mid to late 1800s. Vividly portrayed here in over 200 images, author Nancy McCulloch recreates for the reader the remarkable history of this forward-thinking town. A large number of residents from Kentucky and Tennessee were attracted to the rich black soil and farming prospects of this part of Peters Colony. Sam Houston, as a former governor of Tennessee, enticed families from these states to travel to the Plano area and seek out a new and better way of life. From 1870 to 1886, Plano's population expanded tenfold. As early as the late 1800s the community developed a reputation for progressive thinking and beautiful homes.

Cover image for Plano, isbn: 9780738507682

Burnet

9780738571218

$24.99

Nestled along Hamilton Creek in the hills of Central Texas, the city of Burnet began in the mid-1800s as a settlement across the creek from Fort Croghan. Initially called Hamilton, it was a travel crossroads, making it an important trade center. Logan Vandeveer built the first commercial limestone building in 1854, and Peter Kerr, a cattle merchant, later donated 100 acres of land for the county seat. The city was eventually named after David G. Burnet, the first provisional president of the Republic of Texas. Burnet is still the progressive city it has always been, building a strong infrastructure to support its growth, and yet its modern economy continues to be boosted by its past. Every week, the Hill Country Flyer steam train brings hundreds of tourists who enjoy the charming historic district and courthouse square with its shops, cafés, and friendly people.

Cover image for Burnet, isbn: 9780738571218

Sweetwater

9781467130967

$24.99

From buffalo hunters and ranchers to rattlesnake hunters and wind farmers, Sweetwater has a rich and diverse history of hearty people flourishing in a harsh environment. Beginning with the Kiowa, Apaches, and Comanche, who migrated through the area following herds, and continuing with hunters after the Civil War, Sweetwater, like many West Texas towns, owes its inception to the buffalo. After the war, the demand for beef, hides, and tallow in the North escalated, requiring hunters to reduce buffalo populations, both for their prized hides and to make room for cattle. The slaughter reached its peak in the South in the 1870s, and in 1877, Billie Knight set up a small store on the banks of Sweetwater Creek to accommodate hunters and ranchers. Since the construction of this humble dugout, the town of Sweetwater has had one racetrack, two locations, three names, four courthouses, and countless snakes, wild fires, and tornadoes.

Cover image for Sweetwater, isbn: 9781467130967

Midlothian

9780738558752

$24.99

The springs that initially attracted settlers to this area sprang from thick deposits of Balcones Escarpment limestone. The springs gave rise to Waxahachie Creek, and many settlers chose land near its headwaters to form the village of Midlothian. The black soil proved excellent for growing cotton, corn, wheat, oats, rye, and barley. When the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad came through in 1883, Midlothian was born. The town was incorporated in 1888, two years after the Houston and Texas Central Railroad reached town. Many settlers were experienced cotton growers, and gins were built alongside the railroads to process and ship the cotton. Farm animals normally kept for family use became more numerous, and several beef and dairy operations developed. Many servicemen returning from World War II, however, chose to commute to the metroplex for various jobs, decreasing the number of farmers. Soon thereafter, major corporations realized that the limestone was perfect for making cement and began operations here. Midlothian is liberally illustrated with historically rich photographs chronicling the development of this industrious region.

Cover image for Midlothian, isbn: 9780738558752

La Salle County

9780738579382

$24.99

The Nueces River runs west to east across La Salle County, and at one time it served as the boundary between Texas and Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, ceded the Nueces Strip to Texas. La Salle County was formed out of some of this land in 1858. Early settlers struggled to survive in the wild terrain amid fears of attacks from outlaws and natives. From the Indian Raid of 1878 and the assassination of a sheriff, to droughts and dust storms, the hardy people of La Salle County persevered. After an election in 1883, Cotulla was selected as the permanent county seat, a courthouse was erected, and churches and schools were built. The lawlessness of the past is gone, but the county's residents share the perseverance of those early pioneers.

Cover image for La Salle County, isbn: 9780738579382

Southside Place

9781467131742

$24.99

In 1924, Edward Lilo Crain platted Southside Place, a 329-lot subdivision on the soggy prairie just west of bustling downtown Houston. Ahead of his time, Crain combined the roles of real estate investor, developer, and builder, establishing Southside Place with prefabricated catalog homes. The neighborhood's most defining attribute, however, is the 1.5-acre park Crain created as its geographic and civic center. This thoughtful early attempt at city planning made Southside Place the first Houston subdivision to provide a swimming pool, tennis court, clubhouse, and park for the private use of residents.