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What does your NOLA dog love most? With so much going on in the city, it can be tough to decide on a favorite!

Not just pets, NOLA dogs are cherished family members who thrive in our culture, revel in our celebrations, and eagerly explore every nuance of life in our area. See the magic of local treasures and traditions through the eyes of our devoted and ever-curious canine companions.

Chicago’s Luxury Apartment Buildings presents a history of the city’s residential buildings constructed during the Gilded Age of the 19th century. These buildings redefined the city’s architectural landscape and transformed urban living. Beginning with the first structure, erected in 1876, and continuing through the close of the 19th century, many were masterpieces designed by some of the era’s most influential architects. Burnham & Root, Treat & Foltz, Patton & Fisher, and Holabird & Roche, aided by technological advances such as fireproof structural steel frames, deeper foundations, modern plumbing, steam heat, electric lighting, and passenger elevators, built luxury apartments throughout Chicago. These buildings included a variety of amenities such as on-site restaurants, room service, ballrooms, barbershops, retail stores, billiard rooms, bowling alleys, formal gardens, terraces, and ornate lobbies, and many featured views of parks and Lake Michigan. There were approximately 150 constructed in Chicago during the 19th century, and this book contains photographs of nearly every one of these structures.

John Graf is an attorney and Chicago historian who is the author of other books in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series, including Chicago’s ParksandChicago’s Mansions. Perry Casalino is a real estate developer and Chicago historian who has authored various books about Chicago. 

Local historian Jason D. Antos has gathered rare and historic photographs to showcase the early years of this bustling Queens neighborhood.

From 1851 until 1857, John A.F. Kelly wrote a weekly column for the Daily Independent Press entitled Letters from Woodside. These dispatches sent from Kelly’s rural homestead in western Queens County described his area as “a sleepy little village with a picturesque locality . . . a mere cluster of houses built of stone or logs.” In 1867, developer Benjamin W. Hitchcock, who would later develop nearby Corona and Ozone Park, first came to the area, where he purchased the Kelly estate and created a neighborhood featuring America’s first-ever installment plan program for new home buyers. This forever changed the look of Woodside. Hundreds of working-class families quickly came from across the city to buy their first home in the newly laid out suburb whose swamps and woods had been replaced by modern homes, businesses, city sewers, and paved streets. Sunnyside also takes its cue from neighboring Woodside, providing affordable housing to the masses with the building of Sunnyside Gardens, one of the earliest garden apartment neighborhoods in America and now a New York City landmark. It is also home to the Sunnyside Yards, one the nation’s largest rail yards. This book celebrates the legacy and impact that Woodside and Sunnyside have left on New York City for almost 200 years with many rare, never before published photographs. 

Arizona’s fire departments started forming while the area was still a territory. Early days of firefighting were largely done by residents rushing to help their neighbors with water bucket brigades trying, almost always unsuccessfully, to save houses or businesses.

In 1865, Wickenburg formed the first formal fire department to protect the growing mining town from the constant threat of fire. The next fire departments did not form until 1881 in Tombstone and Tucson. After that, fire departments developed quite rapidly as specific methods of firefighting were instituted. These included using hand-pulled fire wagons with water tanks and hoses and then horse-drawn apparatus with water or chemicals that were now being manufactured. By the time Arizona gained statehood in 1912, fourteen major towns had an official fire department. Today, there are over 140 fire districts and roughly 35 municipal fire departments.

Carol A. Schumacher is the chairperson for Arizona’s Queen Valley Fire District Board of Directors. She is also president of the Queen Valley Historical Society and authored Superior and Queen Valley with Arcadia Publishing. She visited every fire department in this book to research the history and gather photographs of these heroic firefighters. Chief Cecil Fendley, with the Queen Valley Fire District, is the longest-serving fire chief in Arizona, with 38 years of experience as of 2025.

Fans of Abraham Lincoln will delight in this photographic account of the President's early years and his humble roots. Before he became an extraordinary president, Abraham Lincoln was a husband, father, neighbor, and friend. For 17 years—from 1844 to 1861—he lived in a modest house at the northeast corner of Eighth and Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois. During that time, people met with Lincoln and his family within these walls, enjoying conversation, a meal, tea, or a party. When he ran for president in 1860, Republicans from around the country came to discuss the issues or lobby for patronage. Since his assassination in 1865, schoolchildren, politicians, world leaders, and ordinary citizens have eagerly stepped through the front door with the “A. Lincoln” nameplate to stand in the rooms once occupied by the future president. Since 1972, the home has been administered by the National Park Service as the Lincoln Home National Historic Site. Tourists to this special place encounter the personal side of the man who saved the Union and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Through historic photographs and portraits, Lincoln Home tells the stories of the generations of visitors who have encountered Lincoln here.

Jonathan W. White is the Patrick C. Oxford Professor in the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author or editor of 22 books on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, including New York City in the Civil War.

Which fest is next, Jacques? From the author and illustrator of Scrim on the Run and The Little Lost Alligator comes this delightful adventure across Louisiana's festivals!

From gumbo cook-offs to festival parades, Jockamo (or Jacques, if you’re a friend!) is on a paw-some journey across Louisiana. Follow this adventurous Australian Shepherd as he sniffs out the best festivals the Bayou State has to offer. Where y’at, Jockamo? Everywhere the good times roll!

Preserving Pride through Art

Cheyenne’s downtown demonstrates an ongoing appreciation for public art. Melding art and history, bronze statues decorate the streets of Wyoming’s capital city. Following the completion of thirty-five sculptures on Capitol Avenue, the project exploded with the addition of more than fifty bronzes. The citywide installation immortalizes symbols of the American West. The Cheyenne Children’s Museum includes several statues celebrating paleontology. Others pay tribute to remarkable women like Lakota Sioux Princess Blue Waters and Louisa Swain, the first woman to vote in Wyoming Territory. Near Cheyenne Regional Hospital, the Healers of the West monument honors a notable doctor and nurse. And of particular pride is the statue of champion cowboy Verne Elliott riding a wild buffalo, commemorating the visit of President Teddy Roosevelt at the 1910 Frontier Days celebration.

Authors Starley Talbott and Michael E. Kassel return to complete the story behind the city’s inspired and ambitious display of the Cowboys State’s unique culture and heritage.

Just fifty miles south of San Francisco stands Pigeon Point, one of California's tallest lighthouses. 

Named for the infamous wreck of the Carrier Pigeon on her maiden voyage, the beacon began operations in 1872 and has warned mariners away from the treacherous rocky shoals nearby for over 150 years. It has served as a home for many keepers and their families during its lifetime. 

The vantage point is not only perfect for signaling ships at sea, but it also gave Richard Fairchild, the second lighthouse keeper to serve at Pigeon Point, a view of a gunfight in 1875 that ended in the death of local wharf manager. Other memorable keepers include Henry Holbrook, who went on to become a private detective, and Jesse E. Mygrants, who was both the longest-serving keeper at Pigeon Point—from 1924 to 1941—and had the distinction of being kidnapped by rumrunners desperate for a ride to their rendezvous. 

Today, the lighthouse serves as a historical landmark, whale watching point, and incredible stargazing spot. 

Join author JoAnn Semones as she explores the unique history of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

The Battle for North America

In the mid-1750s, New York was caught in the crossfire as the British and French struggled for control of North America. During the French and Indian War, the Adirondack Mountain region saw numerous military encounters around Lakes George and Champlain while Sir William Johnson, Robert Rogers, John Stark, Phineas Lyman, and others carved their names in the annals of American history. Powerful fortifications rose and fell as the English and the French brawled; forts such as Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, and Fort Saint-Frederic/Fort Crown Point housed troops, endured sieges, and received their own battle scars over the course of the war. Author Marie Danielle Annette Williams uncovers the complex history of the Adirondacks during its most tumultuous time.  

Creating an Island Community

Vineyard men and women, Islanders, off-islanders and immigrants contributed their energy and enthusiasm to create the Martha’s Vineyard community.  Generations of businessmen and women catered to locals and tourists, welcoming newcomers to this Island paradise.

Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe have lived on the Island for thousands of years. Their leaders helped bring the Indians together with the white men, led by Thomas Mayhew, to a peaceful relationship. The founders of Oak Bluffs created a town for both Methodist gingerbread cottages and vacation homes. Whaling captains built the county seat of Edgartown. It was sea captains and shipyard workers who developed the commercial harbor of Vineyard Haven, for centuries a refuge for sailors. 

Presidents Clinton and Obama visited the Vineyard, granting the Island national prominence. The Vineyard is a mix of old businesses and new, of Blacks and whites, of immigrants and Natives, working for a tranquil resort community.

Historian David McCulloch called the Vineyard home. Local John Alley was a leader of the secession movement and Craig Kingsbury’s head made a startling cameo in Jaws.  

Thomas Dresser describes how dozens of Islanders have contributed to the unique atmosphere of Martha’s Vineyard.

100 years of cruising from Chicago to Santa Monica.

Opened in 1926, Route 66 was one of America's original highways. In modern times, the Mother Road is an icon of nostalgia and kitsch, but behind each pit stop is a uniquely human story. From Alberta Ellis, who created safe havens for African American travelers in the first half of the twentieth century to Bob Waldmire and Angel Delgadillo, who worked to preserve the history of the route after the interstates came through, the people behind these places are what truly make them special. 

Just off the well-traveled path are places like the Santa Fe Internment Camp, where many Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated during World War II, and the Apache Death Cave near Two Guns, Arizona, said to be the site where many Native Americans lost their lives. Visit the Amboy Crater, a dormant volcano in the Mojave Desert of California that hints at the distant geological past, and the town of Baxter Springs, which was once a major part of America's Main Street. 

Author Brain Clune brings to life the tales that left a legacy along Route 66. 

Across the high plains and rugged mountain passes of the Oregon Trail came thousands of settlers seeking a new life, and for many, the burgeoning city of Eugene became their new home.

The newcomers were fur traders and farmers, physicians and soldiers, teachers and hoteliers—each of them adding a new facet to the region’s character and identity. Among them were Norton E. Winnard, a frontier doctor and a founder of the Eugene Hospital, and Judge J.J. Walton, who helped establish the University of Oregon.

Many of them found their final resting place at the Eugene Pioneer Cemetery, a Civil War–era burial ground that stands as a testament to the time they lived in, and the lingering influence of those first arrivals. Set against the backdrop of the nineteenth century’s great upheavals, this collection brings to life the intertwined destinies of pioneers, immigrants and Native people in the Pacific Northwest.

Drawing from archival photographs, letters, and public records, author C.J. Lake illuminates the human stories behind Oregon’s extraordinary everyday pioneers.

A buffalo ranch, banana stand wars, and the world’s largest surfboard. 

Since its founding in 1889, Orange County has captured the world's attention with its iconic attractions, stunning beaches, and vibrant communities. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a treasure-trove of hidden gems. From lion safaris and an alligator farm to roaming buffalo, the theme parks of Orange County once offered a wide variety of thrills before fading into obscurity. The county is also the site of one of the most infamous UFO sightings in history, documented by Rex Heflin’s Polaroid camera in 1965. A plethora of famous rock stars, athletes, and actors have left their mark, although many of their local haunts have long since disappeared. Social justice movements and dramatic showdowns are woven into the tapestry of the county’s history alongside tales of aviation, agriculture, and the innovative businesses that took root here.

Join author and historian Chris Epting as he shines a light on offbeat and exotic tales of the O.C.

Stories of the people, the land and the water.

More than 160 years ago, the early settlers of La Cebolla Valley arrived and put down roots that would flourish into a lasting legacy. Freight wagons and travelers passed through the land, an integral piece of the Mora–Las Vegas Trail, bringing with them cultures and traditions that lived on in the people who stayed. Through perseverance and dedication, they built the Acequia de San José and the Acequia de La Isla, which have known nearly two centuries of use, and transformed a small natural pond into Morphy Lake.

With the help of the documents in the Agapito Abeyta Sr. Collection, a windfall discovered in a barn, historian Virginia Sánchez brings to light the cultural heritage of La Cebolla Valley’s inhabitants.

"Wickedest place in the wickedest section of Des Moines” —Des Moines Register

In the first decades of the twentieth century, saloon proprietor Erastus Wallace Scott of Des Moines—with his cousins in the infamous Carter Gang—operated a campaign of murder, fraud, corruption, and prostitution from his bar on East Court Avenue. In 1908, the local paper denounced the neighborhood as “given up almost entirely to houses of prostitution. At one end stands a notorious saloon, the scene of many crimes, even murders, and for years a harbor for criminals and a plotting place for the evil minded."

That reviled enterprise was none other than Scott’s seedy shack of sin. Initially, Scott gained the most notoriety, due to a slaying, numerous assaults, and sex trade associated with his establishment. But a subsequent murder brought cousin Will to the forefront. A land fraud scheme involving all three Carter brothers followed, including grand theft and even more deaths.

Authors David and Rose Donovan recount the long-forgotten story of a crime family’s nefarious reach beyond the red-light district.

A revolutionary ethos serves as the bedrock of the Show-Me State.

Although Missouri wasn’t even part of the United States in 1776, its destiny was shaped by Patriot soldiers and their descendants. From the 1780 Battle of St. Louis through the Louisiana Purchase, veterans of the Revolutionary War settled in the Spanish- and French-run territory to build homes, families, and communities. Drummer boys and militiamen who fought from Lexington to Yorktown in their youth lived to fight again in the West alongside their adult sons in the War of 1812. Veterans of Washington’s armies served in the Missouri Territorial and State Assemblies then drew their pensions and watched their grandchildren play in the state they had helped build. Their stories started in battles east of the Mississippi but came to fruition in the Show-Me State.

Join author Paul Kirkman as he digs through 250 years of history to uncover the story of Missouri’s Revolutionary roots.

The Niles History Center has curated images from its photograph collections to showcase the area’s rich heritage, spanning from Fort St. Joseph to the mid-20th century. Christina H. Arseneau and Mollie K. Watson have dedicated nearly a decade to exploring the center’s archives and researching the people, places, and events of Niles.

Long before the city of Niles took shape, this area served as a vital crossroads for Native people traveling by land and water. The colonial era began in 1691 when the French founded Fort St. Joseph. In 1829, a small village was established, and with the arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad, Niles grew into a bustling riverfront city. Niles thrived as an industrial center, boasting the best waterpower in the state of Michigan. Notable figures such as author Ring Lardner, retailer Montgomery Ward, and auto pioneers John and Horace Dodge all called Niles home. Though industrial giants like Kawneer and Simplicity Pattern Company have left, the city remains deeply connected to its history. Niles’s roots are still visible in its distinctive downtown architecture, lush riverfront parks, and enduring institutions and events.

In 1867, “The Little Village in the Grove” began as the Round Lake Camp Meeting Association. Forty acres of land adjacent to a beautiful lake were purchased by the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to hold revivals. Round Lake Village emerged from a camp meeting site, attracting as many as 20,000 revivalists on summer weekends to become a center for education and culture.

In 1884, camp meeting trustees planned and constructed a 2,000-seat indoor meeting space called Round Lake Auditorium, which has remained the village’s social center. Full streets of Victorian-style homes were built. Hotels, a science museum, and centers for education along with resident halls were constructed, which sadly have not survived. Today, the village’s long, narrow streets of beautiful historic homes with distinctive porches remain from the early days of the village.

Ron Kase is a sociologist residing in New Jersey. He is a retired professor of social science and senior academic administrator. He discovered Round Lake while visiting the area and understood the untold story of a magical place should be shared with everyone. Scott Rigney is Round Lake’s village historian. Rigney and his extended family have been residents of the village since 1966. He is president of the Association to Preserve/Protect/Plan Round Lake and is actively involved with every endeavor related to the village’s future. 

Relive the World Series upset that gave rise to St. Louis's baseball obsession

With a legacy of eleven World Series wins, the Cardinals are intertwined with the culture of St. Louis. It all started in 1926 with a legendary World Series upset against Babe Ruth’s Yankees. But what goes untold are compelling stories—like Ruth charming the city into what became a tradition of cheering opposing players—that made St. Louis fans go baseball crazy for the first time. Meanwhile, early radio broadcasts helped turn the region into “Cardinal country.” These forgotten anecdotes made 1926 more than another championship season. The victory transformed St. Louis into a baseball town, putting in place practices, traditions, loyalties, and an energy that have been passed down through time.

Terry Lemons, a St. Louis native, brings a reporter’s eye to recover faded memories that shine new light on the story that began in 1926.

Maine gravestones from the 1800s were decorated with snapped flower buds, broken tree branches, and cracked columns to reveal that those buried below died before their time. From lightning strikes to shipwrecks, accidents to disease—and even a sensational murder—there were many causes for these untimely deaths. Bessie Oliver came home to South Portland to die, bringing secrets she’d kept from her family that wouldn’t be revealed for one hundred years. In Biddeford in 1878, Rose Vincent became a victim of a sensational murder perpetrated by her jealous boyfriend. Priscilla Burnham was a pauper in Scarborough who lived most of her life under town care and was buried twice without a gravestone. Award-winning cemetery historian and guide Ron Romano uncovers how mysterious symbols, epitaphs, monument forms, and cemetery landscapes tell the stories of those whose lives were cut short.

Take a trip back through 10,000 years of Missouri history.

Wherever you live in the Show-Me State, chances are good that someone was there thousands of years before—a member of one of the many ancient civilizations that called Missouri home. These include the Hopewells, who built large towns throughout the Kansas City area; the Mississippians, who built cities with towering pyramids and large plazas along that great river, especially around St. Louis (nicknamed “Mound City” for that reason in the early nineteenth century) and the Bootheel; the Oneontas, who built massive hilltop enclosures along the Missouri River in central Missouri; the Niúachis (Missourias), for whom the state is named; the Osages and Illiniweks (Illinois), who lived in towns in southwest and northeast Missouri; and the artists who carved marvels in stone at Thousand Hills and Washington State Parks, all of which you can see today, absolutely free.

Author Neal W. Fandek guides Missourians on a tour of ancient wonders in their own backyard.  

The first major biography on Cole Porter in over two decades, this delightfully entertaining life story of one of the most important musicians and composers of the twentieth century follows Cole from Peru, Indiana to jazz age Manhattan, Hollywood and beyond.