Missouri

Taking its cue from St. Louis architecture, the Show Me State operates as a gateway to discovery. The wonders of the 1904 World’s Fair, the scenic passage of Route 66 and the quest for that perfect meal in Columbia all testify to that exploratory drive. But like the restless rivers that gave Mark Twain his alias and inspiration, Missouri’s history proves no frontier provides uncontested passage. In the vicinity of Civil War guerillas or Prohibition Era bootleggers, an unlocked door could invite calamity. Crack open our catalogue of Missouri history books for a portal into the state’s adventurous heritage. [View all Missouri books]

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Union

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Washington

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Kirkwood

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Lexington

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The Brookside Story

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Marshfield

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Joplin

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

KMOX:

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Arrow Rock

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The Civil War Missouri Compendium: Almost Unabridged

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Carthage

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Florissant

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Jefferson Barracks

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Ballwin

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Kansas City

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

St. Joseph, Missouri:

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Growing Up in St. Francois County

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The Early Ozarks: A Family's Journey

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Sunset Hills

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

St. Louis's Delmar Loop

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Louisiana

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Kansas City Beer

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Wilson's Creek National Battlefield:

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Iconic Restaurants of Columbia, Missouri

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Osage Beach

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Warrensburg, Missouri

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Lake of the Ozarks

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Springfield

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Hannibal

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Kansas City's Historic Hyde Park

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Kansas City in Vintage Postcards

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Ozark

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Lake of the Ozarks

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St. Louis

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As Good As It Got

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Union

9781467111041

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The site for the city of Union, Missouri, was selected in 1825 by three men who were charged with finding a location for a new county seat within three miles of the center of Franklin County. An earlier county seat, Newport, was located on the Missouri River, making it inaccessible to settlers from the southern part of the county. The site the men chose was little more than wilderness. A town sprang up, and Union now boasts a strong retail and industrial base, good schools, and East Central College. Over the past few years, a new Judicial Building and County Government Center have greatly added to the town's appearance. The historic courthouse, built in 1922, has been renovated and is a source of pride that houses the Veterans' Hall of Honor commemorating veterans of all wars. The images in this book will bring to life the history of Union's government, business and industry, schools, churches, transportation, events, and some of the people who made it all happen.

Washington

9780738578200

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Washington Landing, as the settlement was called in the early 1800s, was a popular river port along the Missouri River. Many German immigrants were attracted to the rolling hills and valley reminiscent of their homeland, and other settlers saw potential as well. The settlement grew quickly, and by the time the town of Washington was officially established in 1839, it was the most prosperous town in Franklin County. John B. Busch established a brewery in Washington in 1854 and produced the first Busch Beer. Franz Schwarzer began manufacturing what would become his world-famous zither (a German, stringed musical instrument) in 1866. Henry Tibbe began making corncob pipes around 1869, and Washington later became known as the "Corncob Pipe Capital of the World." Today Washington holds the state record for the most buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and hosts four museums, including the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame. Nestled in the heart of Missouri wine country, Washington draws thousands of visitors to the area each year.

Kirkwood

9781467110044

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In St. Louis in the 1850s, citizens were tiring of the crowded and unhealthy conditions of urban living, but there were few convenient alternatives for those who worked in the city. When the Pacific Railroad decided to build a line through an outlying area then known as Collins Station, Hiram Leffingwell and Richard Elliott seized an opportunity and bought the surrounding land. Using Leffingwell's experience in planning additions to the city, he and Elliott developed the first planned suburban community west of the Mississippi River. The area was named Kirkwood after the chief engineer for the Pacific Railroad, James Kirkwood, who chose the railroad's route. Kirkwood officially incorporated in 1865. Today, it is still referred to as the "Queen of the Suburbs" for its housing stock, convenient transportation, shopping, and excellent schools.

Lexington

9781467110334

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Although best known for the cannonball in a column of its Greek Revival courthouse, Lexington was also an outfitting stop on the Santa Fe Trail. Merchants and freighters such as the Aull brothers and Russell, Majors, and Waddell contributed to its prominence, as did steamboats transporting large quantities of hemp and tobacco. Following the Battle of Lexington, Union occupation, and robberies by the James-Younger Gang, the railroads' need for coal led to the expansion of local mines and an influx of immigrants. New prosperity also led to the founding of four private schools, including Wentworth Military Academy. Providing entertainment for the miners was the notorious Block 42, which extended through Prohibition and the Depression. Since that time, Lexington has become a regional service center and a tourist destination.

The Brookside Story

9781467142342

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Brookside's burgundy-and-blue-striped awnings represent both a quaint corner of Kansas City where you can tread the creaky wooden floors of the Dime Store and a pragmatic philosophy that changed the way America planned its cities. Renowned developer J.C. Nichols's "plan for permanence" was built on his conviction that if a community could offer its residents everything they would want and need, build to high standards and plan for future growth, the community would last. The Brookside shopping district has been giving the community everything it could want and need since 1919, helping it weather economic turbulence, natural disasters and dramatic changes.

Marshfield

9780738583037

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When Webster County surveyor Richard H. Pitts drew up the plans for Marshfield in 1856, the land was a wild frontier in the Missouri backwoods. Named after Daniel Webster's hometown of Marshfield, Massachusetts, the rural community was the birthplace of world-renowned astronomer Edwin P. Hubble. Today, the town is hailed as a favored stop on Route 66 and celebrates the longest-running Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi River. Over 150 years after it was established, Marshfield is still going strong and creating history that will live for years to come. T he Images of America series celebrates the history of neighborhoods, towns, and cities across the country. Using archival photographs, each title presents the distinctive stories from the past that shape the character of the community today. Arcadia is proud to play a part in the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.

Joplin

9780738583228

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

After the discovery of lead along Joplin Creek in southwest Missouri, a rowdy boomtown sprang up overnight. Named after the creek, it paid homage to itinerant minister Harris Joplin, who had settled there briefly in the 1840s. Two rival towns developed: Murphysburg, west of the creek, and Joplin to the east. They merged and incorporated as Joplin in 1873. The town swelled from a mining camp into a thriving city, populated by American and European fortune seekers. Construction of trolley and rail lines furthered the economic growth of Joplin, the zinc and lead capital of the world. The city later gained fame as a stop on historic Route 66. During World War II, Joplin provided an oasis for soldiers in training at Camp Crowder, 20 miles south of town. The post-World War II years ushered in the construction of Interstate 44, suburbanization, and the commercial development of Range Line Road.

KMOX:

9780738591131

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Since it signed on the air on December 24, 1925, KMOX has literally been the "Voice of St. Louis," a pace setter for the radio industry. That positioning statement perfectly described the station and its mission. Through the years, KMOX listeners have heard hillbilly music, local drama, award-winning news, soap operas, bedtime voices in the night, sports play-by-play, call-in talk shows, local editorials, world leaders, local events, and announcers who were perceived as friends of the family. In radio's heyday, hundreds of CBS network programs heard around the nation originated from the Mart Building studios of KMOX. The station has won every major broadcast award imaginable, directly reflecting its influence and local dominance. For many years, St. Louis's KMOX was tops in the nation in radio market share, and the studios were regularly visited by international radio executives to study the station's success.

Arrow Rock

9780738591544

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

From its earliest appearance in recorded history, Arrow Rock has been a destination for travelers. Native Americans came for the flint at the "rock of arrows," Lewis and Clark noted "a cliff called the Arrow Rock," and pioneers stocked their wagons there before heading down the Santa Fe Trail. Established in 1829, Arrow Rock grew quickly and attracted powerful citizens, including the innovative Dr. John Sappington and artist George Caleb Bingham. By the mid-1800s, Arrow Rock was a center for commerce and politics, but its prominence was short-lived. It was devastated by fires, bypassed by railroads, and abandoned by the shifting Missouri River. Its story might have ended there, but another kind of pioneer arrived in the early 20th century, when the Daughters of the American Revolution restored the deteriorating J. Huston Tavern. Other preservationists followed, and because of their commitment, today's Arrow Rock is a National Historic Landmark with lovingly restored properties, a thriving professional theater, and citizens who believe the town's future lies in its extraordinary past.

The Civil War Missouri Compendium: Almost Unabridged

9781625858450

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

During the Civil War, only Virginia and Tennessee saw more action than Missouri. Ulysses S. Grant first proved his ability there. Sterling Price, a former governor of Missouri, sided with the Confederacy, raised an army and led it in battle all over the state. Notorious guerrilla warriors "Bloody" Bill Anderson and William Quantrill terrorized communities and confounded Union military commanders. Brian Warren and Joseph "Whit" McCoskrie provide a chronological overview of more than three hundred of the documented engagements that took place within Missouri's borders, furnishing photos, maps, biographical sketches and military tactics.

Carthage

9781467110204

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

By the time residents of Carthage celebrated the city's centennial in 1942, the city had grown to a population of approximately 12,000 and sat at the intersection of two national highways nicknamed "Broadway of America" (US 71) and "Main Street of America" (US 66). As the governmental hub of Jasper County, Carthage was surrounded by bountiful agricultural prairies to the north and east, scenic Ozark hills to the south, and the world's lead and zinc center to the west. This geographic diversity contributed to the town's vibrant economy and growth even in difficult economic times. Images of America: Carthage: 1940-1990 begins after the hard times in the 1930s and focuses on the 1940s through the 1980s, when many schools, churches, and industries expanded or moved to new quarters. Stores and businesses around the courthouse square modernized and competed with new commercial centers developed in other sections of the expanding town.

Florissant

9780738532554

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The first civil government in Florissant was established in 1786, three years before the United States adopted its constitution and George Washington was elected the country's first president. French farmers and fur trappers looked upon the land and called it the "Valle Fleurissant"-which is to say, "the flowering or fertile valley." The community remained small until after World War II. Between 1950 and 1980, the population grew from 3,737 to 76,754. Today the community strives to preserve its proud heritage and build on the strength of its diverse population. The historic images in this book illustrate the city's founding and development, from the first French settlers to the post World War II building boom to the exciting new city of today.

Jefferson Barracks

9780738584072

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Since it was founded in 1826, Jefferson Barracks has stood for nearly two centuries as a symbol for many aspects of America's history. Many explorative expeditions in the 19th century launched from Jefferson Barracks, an iconic gateway to the West during the country's expansion. A training ground for new programs, Jefferson Barracks was the home of America's first permanent Dragoons (later the United States Cavalry), first School of Infantry, and first regiment of buffalo soldiers. The largest induction and mustering-out center during both the First and Second World Wars, it housed and trained a myriad of soldiers before and after their deployments. Now the home of the Missouri Air National Guard, a Veterans Administration hospital, Jefferson Barracks Historic Park, a national cemetery, and a growing museum district, Jefferson Barracks is preserving its place in history as well as serving toward America's future. The historic images in this book illustrate a rich history of Jefferson Barracks through some of its citizen soldiers--famous and not--and through the incidents that made it an American icon.

Ballwin

9780738534466

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

At the tender age of 21, a settler named John Ball bought 400 acres on Grand Glaize Creek in 1800 and began sowing crops and tending livestock. He had moved with his parents to Missouri as part of a migration of Kentucky settlers led by Daniel Boone and wanted to establish himself as his own man. That purchase and Ball's later platting of 17 city blocks along Manchester Road, the designated route to the state capitol, were the first steps in creating the town we know today as Ballwin. Using archival
photographs from the Ballwin Historical Commission and other sources, Ballwin traces the history of the area from the first settlers through to the present, focusing on the period
since the city was incorporated.

Kansas City

9780738534480

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Since 1803, when York, a slave in the Lewis and Clark expedition, stood on the bluffs overlooking Kansas City, African Americans have contributed to the city's rich history. Men and women like Tom Bass, Emily Fisher, Sam Sheperd, and Hiram Young built the region in slavery and in freedom. Musicians such as Julie Lee, Bennie Moten, Joe Turner, and Count Basie turned Kansas City into a jazz mecca in the 1920s and '30s. The professional class made their voice heard with the establishment of the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team, the Kansas City Call newspaper, and election of the city's first black mayor, Emanuel Cleaver. With over 200 vintage images, Kansas City recreates this beautiful mosaic of African-American community.

St. Joseph, Missouri:

9780738502663

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

St. Joseph, Missouri, was a well-known portal to the West from the Eastern United States. By the end of the Victorian era, at the turn of the 20th century, St. Joseph had grown into a wealthy city. Industries began to flourish, including catalog, manufacturing,
and warehouse businesses, gradually making the town not only a stopping point for the exhausted and hungry traveler, but also an attractive destination in its own right. These industries left a vast collection of photographic postcards behind, and some of the most interesting ones have been included in this photo album of the area's past. Focusing mainly on St. Joseph's architecture of the early 1900s, this book brings the older St. Joseph back to life and highlights the major events of the early 20th century. Many of the pictures in the book originate from Marshall White's private collection.
The Robidoux Row Museum and Cole Woodbury have also generously allowed their photographs and postcards to be used.

Growing Up in St. Francois County

9780738519043

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1673, Father Marquette and Louis Joliet paddled southward down the Mississippi River and maintained a detailed journal of their observations. Their reports spoke glowingly of vast mineral deposits in the area destined to become Southeastern Missouri. From those earliest known beginnings, and continuing until the outbreak of the Civil War, numerous mining camps flourished. The St. Joseph Lead Company, located in Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, became the world's largest producer of lead ore. With nearly 100 vintage images and personal stories of growing up in Bonne Terre, James Bequette's informative memoir displays the influence the lead company had on the community, and in turn the love the community had for St. Joe. The first image seen by visitors of the town ring true, proclaiming "Welcome to Bonne Terre: Good Earth-Good People."

The Early Ozarks: A Family's Journey

9780738502670

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Domino Danzero's journey, which began in Italy in 1890, led him penniless to New York. The young immigrant came to the Midwest and found work in the coal mines of Illinois and the restaurants of Chicago. Through his travels and his work he gained employment with the Frisco railroad, where he became the overseer of Harvey Houses and Frisco dining cars throughout the central United States. Photography was his hobby and he was commissioned to take photographs for the Frisco railroad. The turn-of-the-century photographs featured in The Early Ozarks: A Family's Journey portray the humanness of people living in the Ozarks. They provide a glimpse of the
better things in life--food, family, and friends--reflecting fundamental human compassion and the way of living at the early part of the twentieth century.

Sunset Hills

9780738584089

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Over the course of its history, Sunset Hills was known by many names before its incorporation in 1957. For many families, however, it has always been a constant; some Sunset Hills families are seventh-generation residents on land that was granted or purchased early in America's history. Early settlers were drawn to this community by the salt springs and clay mines. Indian tribes also utilized this area as an early regional site for trade and multi-tribal meetings along the Meramec River. The Meramec Landing Site was historically significant to both the tribes and the settlers, and the community formed eastward from this spot on the river, toward St. Louis. Today, the city encompasses over nine square miles. Largely considered a commuter suburb for St. Louis, Sunset Hills possesses its own rich history and strong sense of community.

St. Louis's Delmar Loop

9780738598789

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1902, magazine publisher Edward Gardner Lewis needed greater space for his thriving business, then based in downtown St. Louis. He headed west, out Delmar Boulevard a mile past the city line, and bought five acres of open land adjacent to the loop in the trolley tracks that sent the 10D streetcar back downtown. By 1903, Lewis was building a complex that included the Woman's Magazine Building, a five-story octagonal tower with an eight-ton searchlight in its dome. In 1906, University City was incorporated, and Lewis became its first mayor, serving three terms. In 1913, Lewis went west again, this time to found the utopian colony of Atascadero, California. His octagonal dazzler is now University City's City Hall. In 2007, in its first such list, the American Planning Association named the Delmar Loop one of the country's "Great Streets"--it's a long story.

Louisiana

9780738594064

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Louisiana was founded in 1818, and by 1866 it was the 12th largest city in Missouri. The city's proximity to the Mississippi River fostered lumber, tobacco, and agriculture industries and lured river captains and others whose commerce depended on the river. In 1873, another form of transit bolstered the city with the construction of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Bridge. The third bridge built across the Mississippi, it remains in use today. Pardee College, founded in Louisiana, became McCune College in 1881 and closed in 1895. Funded by Andrew Carnegie, the Louisiana Public Library opened in 1905. Louisiana has been home to famous people, silent movie stars, a governor, a senator, a Carpathia passenger, and many others. The natural beauty of the city's setting remains and Southern hospitality continues.

Kansas City Beer

9781467135610

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Westbound immigrants, pioneers and entrepreneurs alike arrived in Kansas City with a thirst for progress and beer. Breweries both small and mighty seized opportunity in a climate of ceaseless social change and fierce regional competition. Muehlebach Brewing Company commanded the market, operating in Kansas City for more than eighty years. Built in 1902, the iconic brick warehouse of Imperial Brewing still stands today. Prohibition made times tough for brewers and citizens in the Paris of the Plains, but political "Boss" Tom Pendergast kept the taps running. In 1989, Boulevard Brewing kicked off the local craft beer renaissance, and a bevy of breweries soon formed a flourishing community. Food and beer writer Pete Dulin explores Kansas City's hop-infused history and more than sixty breweries from the frontier era to the twenty-first century.

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield:

9780738591063

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The Civil War claimed over 620,000 lives from April 1861 until the last major battle in June 1865. Neighbor fought neighbor, while families were divided over the issues of states' rights, secession, and slavery. Few people realize that Missouri was the war's third most violent state with over 1,500 battles and skirmishes. Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, southwest of Springfield, commemorates the Battle of Wilson's Creek, which was the first Civil War battle west of the Mississippi River, the second major battle of the war, and where the first Union general was killed in combat. The Wilson's Creek National Battlefield Civil War collection is an outstanding compilation of artifacts, documents, and photographs primarily related to the Trans-Mississippi theater. Items include Arkansas Confederate general Patrick Cleburne's sword belt and sash, abolitionist John Brown's telescope, a Confederate "Cherokee Braves" flag, and an original print of General Order No. 11, which forced evacuation of several western Missouri counties in an attempt to eliminate safe havens for guerrillas.

Iconic Restaurants of Columbia, Missouri

9781467139304

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

Columbia's culinary history is chock-full of restaurants that not only satisfied appetites but also provided gathering places to build community. Gentry's Tavern served wild game along the Boonslick Trail. Hungry and broke students could grab a meal on credit from Ralph Morris at the Ever Eat Café during the Depression. During and after World War II, Ambrose's Café required students to give up their seats to men in uniform. Segregation didn't stop Annie Fisher from making her fortune serving her famous beaten biscuits. These stories and more are as rich as the cinnamon rolls served at Breischs. Join Columbia native Kerri Linder as she shares the stories and memories wrapped around the food of Columbia's iconic restaurants.

Osage Beach

9780738594224

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In 1886, the railroad-tie industry spawned the village of Zebra at the confluence of the Osage and Grand Glaize Rivers in the Ozark region of south central Missouri. Forty-five years later, when the Lake of the Ozarks was created by the construction of Bagnell Dam, the water inundated Zebra, and the village was reborn as Osage Beach. At its core, the bridge linked land, water, and people to create a recreational jewel in the heart of the Midwest, and the people, roadside businesses, and lakeside resorts featured in this book were among the pioneers who made it all possible. The story begins with the construction of the Grand Glaize Bridge, which became known as the "Upside Down Bridge." US Highway 54 passes through Osage Beach, and this book follows the growth of the town as it spread east and west along the shoulders of the highway and out onto the peninsulas and shorelines of the lake.

Warrensburg, Missouri

9780738520360

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Warrensburg, Missouri, was destined to be more than a one-horse town. When Martin Warren set up his blacksmith shop in 1833, the farmers who gathered there to have their horses shod became the community's first citizens. The town was later named in honor of Warren. During the Civil War, Warrensburg hosted both Union and Confederate troops, who reportedly drilled on the same parade grounds. When the railroad reached Warrensburg on July 4, 1864, the frontier town began to thrive, eventually achieving success in agriculture and, since 1871, in higher education.

Warrensburg, Missouri illustrates the history of the city in more than 200 vintage images, detailing the faces, places, and events that have colored the town. The "healing waters" of Pertle Springs drew visitors from all around, and in 1870, Warrensburg would be made famous by a trial concerning a slain hunting dog, Old Drum.

Lake of the Ozarks

9780738519654

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

When the Union Electric Company finished constructing Bagnell Dam in 1931, they had done more than build a source of electrical power-they had created a vacation paradise. Bordered by lush hills and ancient bedrock, the Lake of the Ozarks covers more than 50,000 acres. Since the opening of the lake's first boat docks, three generations of visitors have spent countless days relaxing by its waters. H. Dwight Weaver reconstructs these lazy days, offering readers a vintage tour of one of America's favorite destinations. Each generation witnessed the area's growth, from rustic rock masonry buildings to gravity-defying mystery houses. While travelers in the 1930s and 40s came seeking respite from the Great Depression and World War II, their children and grandchildren returned in happier times, drawn back by the natural beauty and man-made wonders, as illustrated in these historic images.

Springfield

9781467112895

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Known as the "Queen City of the Ozarks," Springfield was founded in 1829 and became the seat of Greene County in 1835. Beginning in 1870, Springfield served as a railroad hub that connected the Ozarks culturally and financially to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago, and points along the East Coast. In 1938, Route 66 became part of the city's history when the legendary highway came through the public square on College Street. Built on land donated by Springfield founder John Polk Campbell, the square continues to be a vital part of the city's culture and economy. Postcard History Series: Springfield illustrates the community's growth from downtown businesses to the spread of schools, hospitals, and parks across the city.

Hannibal

9780738532431

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Hannibal, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River, prides itself as "America's Hometown." This book is a photo journey through Hannibal's postwar years as captured through the lens of Otis Howell, news photographer for the Hannibal Courier-Post. The years between the end of World War II and Vietnam were exciting and nostalgic ones. They were the days of Elvis, Howdy Doody, "I Like Ike," Desotos, and Sputnik. In Hannibal, Bud's Golden Cream was a popular spot and people shopped at Silverburg's and Kresge's. A special treat was a Saturday matinee at the Rialto or the Star. KHMO's "Man on the Street" was a regular fixture at Broadway and Main. Hannibal: The Otis Howell Collection recalls people and places from the events of that time through over 220 rare images. Many of these photos have not been seen since they first appeared on the pages of the Hannibal Courier-Post decades ago.

Kansas City's Historic Hyde Park

9780738588506

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Hyde Park, located on Westport's outskirts south of early Kansas City, was the first stop on the long trek down the Santa Fe Trail. Good pasture and a natural cave spring were early attributes. During the real estate boom of the 1880s, the area was platted, but the crash of 1888 intervened, and only a few houses were built. By 1900, with the recovery of the economy and the development of Janssen Place as a private street, the area became the preferred community for Kansas City's wealthy. The architectural style is Queen Anne, Prairie School, Neo-Georgian, Colonial Revival, Kansas City Shirtwaist, and Shingle. These homes glitter with original brass fixtures, lead and stained-glass windows, and oak, mahogany, and walnut interiors. Some of Kansas City's most famous and notorious have lived in Hyde Park, from wealthy businessmen and entertainment stars to serial killers.

Kansas City in Vintage Postcards

9780738531793

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Kansas City, Missouri, has long been a bustling center of activity in the heart of the Midwest, hosting the railroads that rambled through its stockyards and the jazz pioneers who made a lasting mark on music history. This collection of vintage postcards from the late 1800s through the 1950s brings to life the people, places, and events of old Kansas City. The unique postcards printed in this book capture the historic downtown area and the Country Club Plaza as well as the private notes of a homesick visitor, paying homage to a time long gone, but not forgotten.

Ozark

9780738532110

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The name Ozark comes from the French Aux Arcs. The town of Ozark may have gotten its name because it is at the bend of the creek. Today the term Ozark refers to the large upland region that covers parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Ozark, Missouri is nestled in the hills of this region and serves as the county seat of Christian County. This book looks at Ozark's 150 year history, using vintage photographs from the Pegram Collection to capture the spirit of the town and surrounding areas. Ozark has long prided itself on its hospitality, and that is evident here in the images of people, events, schools, railroads, and more that have made Ozark the warm and friendly town it is today.

Lake of the Ozarks

9780738507187

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

Seventy years ago in the Ozarks of southern Missouri, Bagnell Dam was built across the Osage River, creating the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks. Using over 200 images and in- depth captions, author H. Dwight Weaver takes readers back to the origins of this man-made treasure and the towns that surround it. Construction on Bagnell Dam began in 1929, employing thousands of men during the Great Depression. Inundation of the Osage River valley destroyed the area's most fertile farmlands, covered numerous historic sites, and even destroyed Linn Creek, the county seat. But the development also created new towns and a new economy. The images in this new book follow the growth of towns along U.S. Highway 54, including Eldon, Tuscumbia, Bagnell, Osage Beach, and Linn Creek, through the Depression, World War Two, and finally the booming 1950s.

St. Louis

9780738531939

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

The "beautiful city" described by early 20th century picture postcard senders still exists. The vintage postcard images presented here take you on a tour of St. Louis' burgeoning days, where you will revisit the grand architecture and neighborhoods of the early part of the last century. See Union Station in its original incarnation as a train station. Witness the grandeur of the 1904 World's Fair held at forever beautiful Forest Park. Plus, savor the charm of the city's many other parks, such as Lafayette Park, the site where baseball was first introduced to St. Louis. You will visit the thoroughfares of downtown St. Louis before it became necessary to rebuild and renovate. Finally, visit favorite places like Soulard Market, which have thrived from the beginning, maintaining a connection between the past and the present.

As Good As It Got

9780738531991

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

World War II threatened to ruin Major League Baseball. By 1945, over 500 major leaguers and 3,000 minor league prospects had been enlisted for the war effort, leaving a dearth of talent for the Big Leagues. The St. Louis Browns, like other AL and NL clubs, would be forced to fill holes in their roster with scrubs-4-F players (those dismissed from the military due to physical ailments), retired major leaguers, and youngsters not yet ready to leave the minors. But there were still some top level players to be had, and 1944 Browns manager Luke Sewell assembled the franchise's most successful team ever, taking the St. Louis ball club to its first and only Fall Classic.