Debbie M. Liles

Thurber

9781467105569

$24.99

Once a busy industrial town of nearly 10,000, Thurber now boasts a residency of less than 10. For approximately 50 years, from 1886 to 1936, migrants from the United States, Mexico, Russia, Britain, and Eastern and Western Europe mined bituminous coal, manufactured bricks, and provided the labor for all of the residual businesses in an entirely company-owned town. The rich history of Thurber includes big-city investors, Texas Rangers, labor unions, railroads, sports, opera, diversity, tragedy, triumph, and the everyday lives of men, women, and children.

Cover image for Thurber, isbn: 9781467105569

Jody Fuchs

Crosby

9781467106177

$24.99

The town of Crosby is one of the oldest settlements in Texas and has a rich history that began in 1823, when Humphrey Jackson built a cabin on Jackson Bayou near the San Jacinto River. Humphrey was a lawyer readying for a position in the Irish parliament. His family was part of the Irish aristocracy and had supported a bloody rebellion that lost to Great Britain. Like Humphrey, many of his family members fled to America. His cousins included US president Andrew Jackson and state senator James Jackson, the wealthiest man in Alabama. Humphrey faced tremendous challenges in his dream to build a new settlement in what would be East Harris County. The Karankawa Indians, who often cannibalized their enemies, occupied much of the area. Unfortunately, the early death of his wife and the eventual premature death of Humphrey himself ended the dream. The settlement he started sat virtually idle for over a decade until 1860, when one of the state's earliest railways renamed the settlement Gentry.

Cover image for Crosby, isbn: 9781467106177

Whitney A. Snow

Guntersville

9781467105644

$24.99

Long before the creation of its famous lake in 1939, Guntersville had a reputation for ferries, farms, and factories. Its streets bustled with customers patronizing shops, cafés, and movie theaters. Ranging from the Nedofik Surgical Sofa Company and the Basket Factory to the Saratoga Victory Mills, Guntersville's diverse industries helped the community thrive. Today, businesses like Wayne Farms Feedmill and Kappler, Inc., continue to reflect the city's industrial nature. This rich manufacturing history coupled with lake tourism meant Guntersville drew visits from an array of actors, singers, authors, scientists, and politicians. Many came frequently, and a few chose to stay. A mesh of new and old, industry and lake, Guntersville continues to charm.

Cover image for Guntersville, isbn: 9781467105644

Dale Phillips

Bella Vista

9781467106115

$24.99

Bella Vista, located in the southwest corner of the Ozark Mountains, was originally founded in the valley of Little Sugar Creek. It is a place of great natural beauty and abundant resources. First used by Native Americans as a hunting and fishing ground, the area remained sparsely settled until after the Civil War. By 1915, this beautiful valley was seen as a perfect spot for a recreational resort community. In 1917, Bella Vista was purchased by the Linebarger brothers, who created one of the nation’s premier resorts. In 1963, Cooper Communities expanded the resort into a full-time recreational retirement community, adding lakes, golf courses, and other facilities. Today, Bella Vista is a city of over 30,000 people from all over North America.

Cover image for Bella Vista, isbn: 9781467106115

John Mangelos

Ripon

9781467106108

$24.99

Through this juxtaposition of old and new photographs, see why so many historic buildings in Ripon, CA have endured into the present day through the thoughtful care and preservation of its citizens.

Ripon is a charming and quiet city in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. The community is very faith-based, prioritizing tolerance, gratitude, and family, and these values have played out in the development of the town. In the past 100 years, very few buildings have been demolished but instead have been repaired and repurposed. John P. Mangelos has always had a passion for preserving the history of Ripon and has collected photographs for many years. Most of the images are from his collection.