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Situated on the northern end of North Carolina's picturesque Outer Banks, Elizabeth City has a strong aviation tradition.

The Wright brothers used the ""Harbor of Hospitality"" as a final way station before traveling on to Kitty Hawk. This coastal town has been the center of United States Coast Guard Aviation since the establishment of the only Coast Guard-owned airport in 1939. Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City began as an installation of six seaplanes operating off of the Pasquotank River. During World War II, the population ballooned to 8,000 assigned personnel. Post-war USCG Aviation expansion saw the addition of many maintenance functions that led to the creation of the Aviation Repair and Supply Base, the center of USCG Aviation maintenance. The base was expanded with a separate air station, the Aviation Technical Training Center, CG Aviation's schoolhouse, Support Center Elizabeth City, and Small Boat Station Elizabeth City. The mission of providing the finest aviation maintenance to Coast Guard Aviation and the highest level of service to mariners of the Virginia Capes and Outer Banks remains an integral part of the installation.

Through photographs of veterans and reunions, monuments, and tombstones, Hardy shows the many ways that the old Confederate soldiers are commemorated across the Old North State.

The American Civil War was scarcely over when a group of ladies met in Raleigh and began to plan commemoration for the honored Confederate dead of North Carolina. In 1867, they held their first memorial service. Two years later in Fayetteville, the first monument to the state's fallen Confederate soldiers was erected. Over the next 14 decades, countless monuments were commissioned in cemeteries and courthouse squares across the state. Following Reconstruction, the veterans themselves began to gather in their local communities, and state and national reunions were held. For many of the Confederate veterans, honor for their previous service continued long after their deaths: accounts of their sacrifice were often chiseled on their grave markers.

Join authors Vermelle Diamond Ely, Grace Hoey Drain, and Amy Rogers as they celebrate the rich history of the black community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As in many cities in the early 20th-century South, the African-American citizens of Charlotte created their own society that mirrored the larger white community. Yet, black Charlotte was always self-sustaining, with its own schools, library, and businesses. Second Ward High School (1923-1969) was the area's first high school for blacks, and although the school and much of its surroundings have since been razed, the photo archive at the Second Ward Alumni House Museum helps keep alive the memories of the school and the entire black community.

When James William Cannon bought several acres of sage field seven miles north of Concord, North Carolina and opened his Cabarrus Cotton Mill in 1892, he forever altered the fate of the surrounding land and sowed the seeds of what was to become Kannapolis. By the time he died in 1921, the name Cannon was "synonymous with the word towel" and the "model mill town" he had started to build had begun growing into the beautiful city is it is today.

In this collection of writings first published in the Charlotte Observer's "A Look Back" column, author Helen Arthur-Cornett not only informs readers about the history of Kannapolis, but also brings the past to life through comic snippets and intimate scenes from the city's earlier years. She tells about teaching practices in the first Kannapolis schools, the fierce, lasting football rivalry between Cannon and Concord High Schools, and even "Granddaddy W.D's" adventures with a runaway Model T. Trim, the beloved black mule whose unprecedented strength and endurance contributed monumentally to constructing the city in 1906 trots through the pages, accompanied by a long line of interesting characters that also made their marks on national and regional history. Whether they discuss the area's first settlers or legendary July 4th parades, the columns twinkle with charm and wit that will make this unique glimpse into the Kannapolis of yore treasured far into the future.

Nestled in the heart of North Carolina's share of the Smoky Mountains, Asheville is one of the South's most haunted cities.

The picturesque landscape of this charming mountain destination belies what is in truth a violent, ghoulish past. Asheville has seen its share of horror, ranging from the suicide of the city's financial manager during the throws of the Depression, to hosting a tuberculosis sanitarium, to a night of murderous rampage in 1902. With wit and style, authors Ken Traylor and Delas House use their years of experience as the owners and lead guides for the 'Haunted Ghost Tour of Asheville"" to steer readers on a journey through the city's eeriest sites, from Riverside Cemetery to the Battery Park Hotel. Drawing on an unmatched repertoire of spectral lore, Traylor and House present a variety of ghastly accounts that are both thrilling and chilling. Traylor's personal experience as a guide and interpreter of local ghostlore adds a unique twist to this collection of macabre stories. Through years of research, he has amassed an intriguing collection of the area's haunted tales, and with Asheville Ghosts and Legends he seeks to share the gruesome details of Asheville's wicked past.

Asheville: an architectural gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Known for its architectural diversity and intriguing Art Deco style, Asheville has been fortunate in attracting brilliant architects who have created lasting testaments in brick and stone with imaginative foresight and design expertise. Local architectural enthusiast Richard Hansley recounts the history behind dozens of Asheville's most prominent buildings and historical neighborhoods in Asheville's Historic Architecture. Discover how Douglas Ellington, Richard Sharp Smith, James Vester Miller and Tony Lord influenced this busy metropolis, as landmarks like the Jackson Building, the Grove Park Inn and the Art Deco City Building were constructed along the city's thriving streets. These buildings have stood the test of time and remain as breathtaking in concept and appearance today as when first completed.

In this never-before-assembled collection of lost landmarks, historian Sarah Downing evokes the Outer Banks of yesteryear.

Drawn from the vast collections of the Outer Banks History Center and from locals mourning the forever changed character of the area, these vintage images reflect the hotels, stores, restaurants and bandstands that appeared in the boom time following World War II but have since been lost to progress. An honorary native, Downing has preserved the Pirate's Ball at Nags Head Casino, Doc Watson playing at the Sound Side on Kitty Hawk Bay and grits at the El Gay in this collection of hangouts and haunts of yesterday's summer.

East Carolina University's Pirates triumphs and tragedies are captured in this collection of striking images.

East Carolina University played its first intercollegiate football game on October 29, 1932, against the Scots of Presbyterian Junior College. In the more than eight decades that have followed, the ECU Pirates have experienced triumph and tragedy while creating a premier game-day experience. From the team's early days playing on farmland through the decade-long quest to join the Southern Conference, ECU's rise is recounted through these pages. Players are featured alongside legendary and colorful coaches in this history of Pirate football.

Relive the days of Currituck, North Carolina when farming and hunting was what brought the world together.

In this insider account, Currituck native Travis Morris takes readers into the blind and regales them with stories of powerful men and their guns in a bygone era when duck hunting clubs flourished and featured prominently in local politics, neighbors feuded over duck hunters' rights and interloping men of industry swept in to build lodges. Senators, governors and presidents came, and these are the untold stories of their hunts. From the duck hunting vacation that John F. Kennedy planned but never took to Kerr Scott's apple-flavored tobacco, Morris and friends expose the guileless and the guilty alike in this lighthearted collection.

Join author Lewis Bowling as he recounts the history of the Duke University Men's Basketball program through the lens of over 200 vintage images.

The Duke University men's basketball program is certainly one such tradition, and Lewis Bowling has assembled more than two hundred brilliant photographs spanning the entire history of the program to show it. Enjoy a front-row view as this distinctive collection recounts Blue Devil glory, from the first teams of Trinity College through Eddie Cameron's masterful guidance and, of course, the unrivaled success under the watch of Coach K. Featuring forewords from the legendary Voice of the Blue Devils Bob Harris and former head coach Bucky Waters, Cameron Crazies far and wide will hail this celebration of Duke's greatest moments and some of basketball's most legendary coaches and players.

Join author and educator Evelyn Scales Thompson, Ph.D. as she recounts the rich history of the black communities in and around Surry County, North Carolina

From slavery in the 1800s to freedom in the 1950s, Black America Series: Around Surry County traces the footsteps of African Americans through their transition from house servants and field hands to landowners, farmers, and successful small business proprietors. This detailed pictorial history celebrates and honors the strong faith, courage, and determination of the Surry County area's black community.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail shows off the most spectacular, historic and quirky elements of the North Carolina landscape.

Stretching one thousand miles from Clingmans Dome in the Smokies to Jockey's Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks, the route takes in Fraser fir trees and pelicans, old grist and textile mills, working cotton and tobacco farms, Revolutionary War sites and two British cemeteries complete with Union Jacks. The trail is half on footpaths and half on back roads, offering experiences not only in nature but also in small towns, at historic monuments, in family cemeteries and in local shops. Author Danny Bernstein has taken it all in and shares her knowledge for those who might follow in her footsteps.

Since 1925, the John C. Campbell Folk School has invited people to explore their creative potential in the serene setting of Brasstown, North Carolina. Those pursuits began with education, agriculture, and traditional Appalachian crafts, including wood carving and blacksmithing. One hundred years later, the school expanded into more than 50 subject areas, from cooking and clay to shoemaking and stained glass. Friends and cofounders Olive Dame Campbell and Marguerite Butler were influenced by the Danish folkehøjskole, or “folk high school,” and set out to create a similar opportunity in Appalachia where learning would be noncompetitive and meals would be communal. The folk school has provided the foundation for the internationally recognized Brasstown Carvers, created a music and dance program with regular offerings for concerts and contras, and now welcomes thousands of students while holding over 800 weeklong and weekend classes per year. 

It continues to be, as Olive once described, “an experiment in adult education” that seeks to enliven and enlighten the world. 

Kitty Taylor served as the programs development manager and creative program advisor for writing. She selected photographs and materials from the Fain Archives to provide a glimpse at the John C. Campbell Folk School’s first 100 years. 

Skip down the Yellow Brick Road with author and historian Tim Hollis as you uncover the history of this beloved mountaintop attraction.

In 1966, North Carolina tourism moguls Grover, Harry, and Spencer Robbins began exploring ways to utilize their new ski facilities atop Beech Mountain during the summer. They brought in their associate Jack Pentes to come up with an idea. As a long-time fan of The Wizard of Oz, Pentes planned and developed the Land of Oz theme park, opening in June 1970. The park did not resemble the famous 1939 MGM movie or the Oz as depicted in L. Frank Baum's book. Instead, Pentes interpreted his own vision of Oz, with a comical Wicked Witch and a wizard who did not turn out to be a fake. The Land of Oz closed after its 1980 operating season and was left to deteriorate. Since 1990, however, its remnants have been secured and restored. The property is now available for special events, and a giant Oz celebration takes place each autumn.

Crime writer Cathy Pickens brings a novelist’s eye to the stories that define the sinister—and quirky—side of the Triad.

The Triad region ranks high in national murder statistics, but crime stories are always more interesting than numbers. Crimes in North Carolina’s Piedmont happen in small towns, rural farmhouses and elegant mansions, carried out by criminals who were just visiting, some who were born in the Triad but moved elsewhere, and plenty who stayed close to home. Delve into the tale of Nannie Doss, the giggling grandma who lived in Lexington long enough to poison one of her husbands. The now-famous Alford plea was first used in Winston-Salem. Learn the real story of the Reynolds tobacco heir whose Lindbergh-inspired flight ambitions ended with a single gunshot.

Chimney Rock and Rutherford County honors the accomplishments of one of North Carolina's most scenic counties. More than 200 vintage images, culled from postcards, newspapers, business files, and personal collections, offer a window into the county's past. Readers will learn of the county's defining moments, from its separation from Lincoln County to its supreme sacrifice during World War II of 149 young men, as well as the county's historic places, like Pine Gables (1700s), the Lake Lure Inn, and the Bechtler's Mint (1831). Readers also have the singular chance to meet well-known Rutherford County figures, including textile magnate Raleigh Rutherford Haynes, screenwriter Earl Owensby, radio announcer Jerrell Bedford, and Sheriff Damon Huskey, who served the county for 24 years.

Residents of Kernersville have spent lifetimes looking after each other--and sometimes they continue after death.

Nestled between Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point, Kernersville transformed from a sleepy little village stop on the Great Wagon Road into a thriving community in the nineteenth century--one with its share of ghost tales. Does a young soldier haunt the Kernersville Museum, flirting with the women who work there? Learn the truth of the ghost of the old McCuiston House. Local institutions like the P&N Store and Snow's Diner also claim their share of spooky stories.

Kernersville Museum director Kelly Hargett and local theater founder Scott Icenhower tell ghost tales that are sometimes comical, sometimes heartwarming, and sometimes a little hair raising.

From Chowan University to Camp P.D. Hunt Club, Hertford County's storied past is detailed in this photographic history.

Situated in Eastern North Carolina, Hertford County is a picturesque locale with an extensive, storied past. Boasting portions of the Chowan and Meherrin River, the area was easily accessible to European explorers, who visited as early at 1586. Education has been an important shaping factor for Hertford residents, as the county has hosted two colleges-Chowan College, founded in 1848, and Wesleyan Female College, founded in 1853. Fishing and hunting are second to none: Camp P.D. Hunt Club is the oldest chartered hunt club in North Carolina and herring fishing was the way of life for many years. Agriculture, too, has been a mainstay for the county's economy, with peanuts and tobacco thriving as staple crops. The county also possesses a unique blend of cultural history, from the Meherrin Native Americans, who moved here from Virginia, to the strong influence of African Americans, who developed Chowan Beach as one of the premier black vacation spots during Segregation.

Hundreds of ornately decorated rooms, gardens and greenery and more--Walk through the history of the Biltmore Estate, one of America's many displays of personal wealth and decadence.

In the spring of 1888, George Washington Vanderbilt returned to New York after spending weeks exploring the countryside near Asheville, North Carolina. Thinking it was the perfect place to build his home, Vanderbilt promptly sent his agent to begin quietly buying contiguous tracts of land until he had several thousand acres. Soon, he began constructing what would become America's largest private residence. He commissioned two of America's preeminent designers, architect Richard Morris Hunt and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, to collaborate with him in planning his estate, which he named Biltmore. To complement the 250-room French Renaissance-style chateau, Olmsted worked closely with Hunt to create a vast landscape of pleasure gardens and grounds with miles of scenic drives through parklands, productive farms, and the country's first scientifically managed forest. Today, Biltmore is a National Historic Landmark privately owned by Vanderbilt's descendants.

A fascinating pictorial history of these North Carolina communities, documenting stories of Rocky Mount and Nash County's development through time.

The picturesque beauty and unique history of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, are surpassed only by the strength of character of the region's citizens. In this new and singular pictorial history, all of these wonderful attributes are portrayed in vibrant detail. The first historical retrospective of Nash County to appear in 20 years, Rocky Mount and Nash County encompasses many of the county's smaller towns and crossroads and chronicles the development of industry, agriculture, and business, as well as the remarkable people who call the region home, in rich visual imagery and intriguing anecdotes.

This visual history containing over 200 vintage postcards relives major events in Asheville's past--from the coming of the railroad to America's entry into World War I.

In this time of unprecedented growth, the coming of the railroad in 1850 made Asheville accessible to those searching for clean air and the peaceful beauty of the mountains. Combined with an emphasis on cultural and social life, the area's fresh mountain living proved to be a healer of body, mind, and soul. Soon after the railroad arrived, Asheville became the home of the first world-renowned resort hotel in the South. Within these pages unfolds a little-known anecdote concerning Col. Frank Coxe and the amazing sweep of real estate owned by his ancestors. We learn how a simple thing such as a misplaced reservation became the catalyst for the building of the fabulous Battery Park Hotel. Readers also see the impact of George W. Vanderbilt, E. W. Grove, and other entrepreneurs who carved their imprint on this city.

Discover the rich past of Highlands, North Carolina in this pictorial history told through the lens of over 200 vintage images.

Perched on the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and founded in 1875 as a health and summer resort, the town of Highlands in Western North Carolina enjoys a northern climate in a southern setting. Its people originate from across the nation, giving an otherwise provincial village a cosmopolitan worldview, and its natural surroundings have attracted professionals in the arts and sciences as well as laborers, tradesmen, and craftsmen. The photographs in this volume attest to the extraordinary variety of characters that inhabited the Highlands plateau at the town's founding and during the first half-century of its growth and development.

Take the best seat in the house for this thrilling history that's so much more than the story of a building: discover the triumphs, the tears, and the tenacity of North Carolina sports and its legends.

For more than half a century, William Neal Reynolds Coliseum was at the forefront of college basketball. When filled to capacity, 12,000 fans joined together to create the noise and heat that defined game night. Indeed, Reynolds Coliseum brought big-time basketball to the South. Most area residents know Reynolds as home to the popular Dixie Classic basketball tournament and the North Carolina State University's Wolfpack championship sports teams. Surprisingly, this building was not constructed specifically for basketball. Like the state of North Carolina, the coliseum's origins grew from agriculture, and it was significantly shaped by the impact of World War II. As home to the long-standing Friends of the College series, the coliseum helped extend cultural events to the general public by promoting ""seven shows for seven dollars."" It has hosted presidents and protesters, circuses and symphonies, tractor demonstrations and rock concerts. And yes, for one ten-year stretch, more people watched college basketball games in Reynolds Coliseum than in any other campus arena in America. This volume captures more than 50 years of North Carolina history from the best seat in the house, highlighting the people and events that shaped the building as much as any architect's pencil.

Founded in 1768 at the crossing of two Indian trails, Charlotte has a rich heritage to match its age. Hear the personal voices of discovery, hardship, wars, privation, segregation and achievement from village to boomtown.

In this extensively researched volume, accomplished author and historian Mary Kratt chronicles the history of Charlotte from the earliest Catawba inhabitants to the development of finance, culture and transportation, still centered on those ancient crossroads. Whether detailing the cotton fields and textile mills of yesterday or the banking center of tomorrow, Kratt's account is a fascinating history of the people who have made Charlotte a queen among southern cities.

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.

A thrilling account of a hundred years of sensational and sinister deeds that marked and shaped one southern town.

Crimes that captivated attention in the Charlotte area over the years run the gamut from missing people to the wrongly accused. This collection of headline stories features violent motorcycle gangs, crusading mothers, a fraudster who claimed a president was poisoned by his wife, a serial killer who broke all the rules and even a man who made Bigfoot. With a mystery novelist's ear for a good tale, Cathy Pickens presents more than a century of sensational sinister deeds that marked this diverse and dynamic city.

An in-depth history of one of the quintessential hunting dog breeds, the Plott hound.

Though originating in Germany, the Plott hound reached worldwide fame through the contributions of many colorful characters from the Southern Appalachians. Originally brought to America by German immigrant Johannes George Plott, the hounds quickly became renowned for their stamina and gameness. Quill Rose - a legendary local outlaw, moonshiner, gunfighter and more - helped cultivate the bloodline for bear hunting, while revered baseball icon Branch Rickey brought national acclaim to the breed through his hunts in the Hazel Creek Watershed. Writer Frank Methven wrote extensively about the Plott hound for decades, and the Methven Award remains one of the most coveted big game hunting awards in the world. Author and breed expert Bob Plott reveals the fascinating people and places that have shaped the history of the Plott hound.

Kinston is a celebratory volume that preserves the storied past of Lenoir County's seat of government. Photographs document the county's fourth courthouse, built in 1938 after the first three were destroyed; the evolution of Queen Street's downtown businesses; and the fabled artesian well fountain, rumored to always bring those who drank from it back to Kinston. Readers will meet Dr. Richard Henry Lewis, namesake of Lewis School, and revisit the city's bicentennial celebration, held in 1962. Informative stories add color to these attractive vintage photographs, which together spark fond memories in the minds of older residents while offering the younger generations a glimpse of their heritage.

Edgecombe Remembers is a window into Southern life over the past 80 years. In this volume, community locals offer readers a variety of journeys-from a 1930s tobacco farm to the activities of homemakers from the 1970s. Early 20th-century Christmases were celebrated with different customs, while education was a privilege not available to everyone. World War II, an especially difficult time for Americans, is an event that those who remember speak of with the joys of patriotism and the tenderness of heartache. The people whom these voices represent may not have been rich in material wealth, but they lived rich, full lives with what was available.

This intriguing collection of essays results from writer George Ellison's thirty-year fascination with Western North Carolina and its Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.

These essays offer a window onto the rich heritage of this stunning and oft-misunderstood region. Hear stories in a distinctly Appalachian tone and glimpse into the mountain life and lore through a diverse cast of characters. Develop a new language fit for mountain life, and begin to understand the roots of the names Crooked Arm, Deeplow Gap and the Boogerman Trail. See the world through the eyes of the ancient Cherokees, for whom the Nantahala Gorge, was a "chasm of horrors" associated with the "uktena," a mythic serpent from the dreaded Under World.

This final posthumous publication from beloved regional poet, naturalist and writer George Ellison presents lovely poetry from an icon of the Smokies alongside gorgeous paintings and photography from Elizabeth Ellison and Quintin Ellison.

As Western North Carolina rebuilds in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, these ruminations and scenes from life at the edge of the Smoky Mountains will take readers on an inspirational, hopeful and artistic journey into the heart of the Blue Ridge.

Nestled outside Bryson City, on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains, lies the home of George and Elizabeth Ellison. For more than forty years, their permanent camp was more than a homestead—it was the inspiration for a world of beauty found within their poems and paintings. In this posthumous tribute to George, the legacy of his poetry is presented alongside special galleries of Elizabeth’s breathtaking paintings and daughter Quintin Ellison’s stunning photography. As the region continues to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, these ruminations on living among the Smokies, depictions of Western North Carolina culture and interpretations of its untamed natural domain reveal life in the land of blue shadows through the work of some of the region’s most cherished artists.

Ghost stories from North Carolina's Haunted Coast have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to the spooky shores of the North Carolina coast!

Stay alert! Ghosts lurk around every corner. Even the most unexpected places might be haunted by wandering phantoms.

Did you know that ghost ships and their undead crews stalk the waters along North Carolina's coast? Or that a mysterious "Gray Man" appears on the windswept shores of Cape Hatteras just before deadly storms strike? Can you believe that the restless spirit of Blackbeard himself haunts the shadowy paths of Springer's Point . . . in search of his missing head?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see the haunted North Carolina coast forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

The Dark Side of Durham

Explore the dark side of the Bull City. If the red brick walls that once held tobacco warehouses and textile mills could talk, they would tell the tale of how the crossroads settlement of Pin Hook turned into the vibrant city of Durham in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Since its genesis, Durham has been a city where crime was woven into the very fabric of its existence. Over the years, there have been many murders, robberies and shootouts on the streets, in the alleys and on the outskirts of town. Some crimes have caught the attention of the entire nation, but most have remained just in the conscience of the locals. Local historian Rick Jackson narrates the mysteries of one of North Carolina's most important cities.

Filled with lullabies, folk tales, and playful rhymes, The Wee Scot Book: Scottish Poems and Stories is an open invitation to youngsters worldwide to join the Scots at playtime. These are authentic songs and tales from the Scottish childhood of author and illustrator Aileen Campbell. She combines fascinating English text with verses from the old Scots' language. She also illustrates each spread with a delightful watercolor, sometimes highlighting the landscapes of the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland.

Raleigh and Wake County Firefighting chronicles over a century of fire protection in North Carolina's capital city and surrounding county. Fire engines, fire stations, and the firefighters themselves are depicted in over 220 images culled from local newspapers, area archives, and personal collections. From Raleigh to Cary and Apex to Zebulon, both municipal and rural fire departments are remembered from their early beginnings. Stories of fires at Raleigh's Yarborough Hotel in 1928, downtown Knightdale in 1940, and Pullen Hall at North Carolina State University in 1965 come alive, as do dramatic photographs from the old Mangel's building fire, the North Raleigh tornado, and the flooding after Hurricane Fran.

As the name suggests, the town of Holly Springs in southern Wake County originated at a place where freshwater trickles from deep aquifers and where 40-foot-tall holly trees have endured storms and droughts, wars and depressions, and times of peace and prosperity.

In Colonial times, a small cluster of homes and businesses formed around the original holly springs in an area that once was a Tuscarora Indian hunting ground. The tiny community included a sawmill, cotton gin, and store. In later years, a few miles to the north, Archibald Leslie purchased 180 acres at the intersection of two roads near another freshwater spring. He opened a tailoring business and store, and began construction on a 38-room manor. Today all that remains of the Leslie estate is the main house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Leslie-Alford-Mims House. A short dirt trail winds through the woods to the springs.

Time often stands still along the picturesque shores that dot one of North Carolina's favorite barrier islands.

Islanders have always loved Topsail's quiet, small-town charm and seclusion. Local author and photographer BJ Cothran shows how this beloved vacation spot and popular retirement community has survived major storms, growing pains, and modern development.