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Lying deep within southwest Florida, the Big Cypress National Preserve protects over 1,000 square miles of the Big Cypress Swamp. Home to namesake cypress tree swamps as well as prairies, forested islands, ghost orchids, alligators, Florida panthers, and waterbirds, its human history spans thousands of years, becoming a refuge for the unconquered Seminole and Miccosukee people. Nearly inaccessible until the 1920s, when opened by roads and the railroad, it was America’s last frontier, settled by hardy pioneers, plume and alligator hunters, farmers, smugglers, and moonshiners. Avoiding large-scale development, the preserve was established over 50 years ago to protect the swamp and Everglades water resources while facilitating compatible traditional uses. Today, the preserve continues to support its swamp heritage, both natural and cultural, enabling Seminoles, Miccosukees, backwoodsmen, recreationists, and passing motorists to appreciate its unique environment.

James A. Kushlan is an author, conservationist, and South Florida historian with a University of Miami doctorate focused on the Big Cypress Swamp. He has authored 12 books. Kirsten Hines is an author, photographer, and conservationist. Her writing and photography highlight wildlife, including in her recent books Wild Florida: An Animal Odyssey and Birds of Florida. This is the fifth book they have coauthored for Arcadia Publishing on South Florida. 

Nineteenth-century Chinese pioneers voyaged across the vast oceans to reach the last steamboat stop in the 旄舝 Gold Mountain, bringing centuries of wisdom from China’s ancient civilization.

Tehama County played a crucial role in shaping California’s early statehood. Its fertile terrain presented ample opportunities to succeed. Despite harsh discriminatory laws and racially driven tunnel folklore to perpetuate a negative narrative, five original families— Foey (Wong), 謯 Chew (Yuen), 鄺 Fong, 衒 On (Liu), and 蠊 Chin—made Red Bluff their permanent home, thriving as merchants and productive citizens. Individuals like Dr. Chew Yuen and Bo Do Hong operated traditional Chinese medicine practices throughout America with Red Bluff as their headquarters. Tehama County blended cultures, with its most distinguishable townsmen attending an annual Chinese and American banquet in Red Bluff’s Chinatown, merging the two cultures together. The deep bonds formed would culminate into a powerful petition by 20 influential leaders in support of the Chew family, who were detained at Angel Island in 1916, proving that Tehama County valued the Chinese community. This single act of kindness set the stage for a 20th-century Chinese American pioneer to be born, Dr. Kenneth Kendall Chew, and his research in aquaculture would change the world.

The Helen and Joe Chew Foundation has selected rare images from its collection and invited Chinese American descendants to narrate their origin stories, preserving the legacy of these pioneering families for future generations.

Fortresses of the Frontier

Michigan’s military forts shaped the Great Lakes frontier as European and then American settlers and explorers moved westward. When La Salle’s crew reached the mouth of the St. Joseph River, they built Fort Miami, the first European military post on Michigan soil. Following a humiliating betrayal, Chief Pontiac laid vengeful siege to Fort Detroit for five months, during which he let neither supplies nor man pass through the siege lines intact. Stationed at Fort Gratiot, a young Lieutenant Robert E. Lee had a sweet tooth that forced him to hide in a closet to avoid a local baker demanding Lee pay his past-due bill. A mosquito helped to force the closing of Fort Saginaw.

Author and Michigan native David Wedge recovers the stories of these forgotten guardians.

Significant members and locations of the Haitian-American community of Chicago are detailed in this book, highlighting the influence and importance Haitian culture has had on the city.

Haitians have always had a place in Chicago history. From Jean Baptiste Point DuSable, a Haitian man and the first nonindigenous founder of Chicago; to the Haitian Pavilion built for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition; to Nicole Smith, a gallerist that uplifted Haitian art and artists, Haiti is here to stay in this diverse city.

The book includes information and images featuring Haitian community leaders such as the Illinois attorney general Kwame Raoul and Metz T.P. Lochard, former chief editorial writer for the Chicago Daily Defender newspaper; academics; and topics like immigration and religion. Haitians in Chicago is the one-stop guide to uncovering the history, vibrancy, and resiliency of the Haitian community.

Elsie Hector Henandez, a native of Haiti, founded the Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC) in 2012, located in Uptown, a multicultural area of Chicago. The mission of the museum is to promote and preserve Haitian art, culture, history, and community in Chicago and beyond.

The museum is an institution that holds a wide array of programs and exhibits showcasing Haiti’s rich culture and art as well as its complex history. Here is an unforgettable record of the extraordinary impact Haitians have had, and continue to have, on Chicago.

Join Cecilia on a heartwarming New Orleans adventure to find her lost best friend, Kitty!

After Cecilia catches “Kitty” at a Mardi Gras parade, the two become inseparable. Cecilia takes Kitty with her everywhere—City Park, the mall, Grandma’s house—until one day Cecilia wakes up and Kitty is gone. Teaming up with her parents, Cecilia then retraces her steps, looking high and low for her little best friend.

Based on a true story, this playful tale shows that the love in a kid’s heart can extend to the ends of the earth—or at least to the ends of the New Orleans metro area. Don’t miss your chance to join the search party and follow Cecilia to some of the city’s most iconic spots!

Ghost stories from Boise, Idaho have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to the spooky streets of Boise!

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

Did you know that restless spirits roam the grounds of Fort Boise? Or that the tortured souls of former inmates haunt the Old Idaho State Penitentiary? Can you believe that on moonlit nights, the foothills of the Boise Front come alive with ghostly activity?

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

Ghost stories from Southwest Florida have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky Southwest Florida!

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

Did you know that in Arcadia, ghostly children play tag at the site of an old orphanage? Or that when the moon rises over the Manatee River in Bradenton, a spectral song echoes across the water? Can you believe a headless camper haunts Myakka River State Park?

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Southwest Florida forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

Tarheel Quakers and the Fight Against Slavery

Quakers settled the Carolina Colony in the 1650s, bringing their slaves and servants with them. Industrious coastal Quakers soon rose to prominence on the backs of their enslaved men and women, and Piedmont Quaker lives were enriched by the people they enslaved as well. Sparked by the observations of John Woolman, Carolina Quakers took up the battle against slavery in the 1700s, beginning with themselves. Legal conflicts, the Free Negro program, colonization, the North Carolina Manumission Society and the Underground Railroad were the results. Combining North Carolina slave narratives, runaway slave ads, digital archives, local histories and internet blogs, Tim Allen re-creates the inspiring story of Tarheel Quakers who fought each other and the state to abolish enslavement in antebellum North Carolina.

The wild west is exemplified in a pictorial history of Rural Roswell and South Springs Ranch, capturing accounts of ranching, war, and outlaws in the southeast region.

Years ago, much of southeastern New Mexico belonged to the “Cattle King of the Pecos,” John Simpson Chisum.

His vast domain stretched up both sides of the mighty Pecos River, ranging from just south of Fort Sumner all the way down to Seven Rivers.

Chisum faced many challenges, surviving both the Lincoln County War and threats from its star player, Billy the Kid. From the 1870s until his death in 1884, Chisum called the Roswell region home. Significant ranching operations included Bosque Grande north of Roswell and the South Springs Ranch south of the fledgling town.

Chisum’s various ranching outfits and those of his successors, like J.J. Hagerman, J.P. White’s LFD Farm, the Oasis Ranch of East Grand Plains, farms and ranches of friends like Pat Garrett and John W. Poe, plus many other unique facets and locations in rural Roswell, are included in historic photographs. 

John LeMay, author of over 50 historical titles, including Images of America: Roswell, and the Historical Society for Southeast New Mexico use their extensive photograph archives to chronicle the history of John Chisum, his South Springs Ranch, and rural Roswell with over 200 rarely seen images. 

Ghost stories from Central New Mexico have never been so creepy, fun, and full of mystery! 

Welcome to spooky Central New Mexico! 

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

Did you know that a Civil War battlefield at Val Verde echoes with the screams of ghostly soldiers? Or that the Luna Mansion in Los Lunas harbors otherworldly apparitions? Can you believe some guests at Mountainair’s Shaffer Hotel never checked out . . . and never will? 

Pulled right from history, these ghostly tales will change the way you see Central New Mexico forever, and have you sleeping with the lights on!

From farmers to pastors, teachers to sailors, and everything in between, the Black history of Hanover County reflects the dedication and values of the community.

Freedwoman Betsy Hogg Tinsley, in time, became one of the largest landowners in Ashland. Founded in 1870, Brown Grove Baptist Church has been the center of its neighborhood for more than 150 years.

During the time of segregation, Lucian Hunter of Mechanicsville worked to make sure that Black students could get to school. The Barksdale Theatre in the Hanover Tavern produced Virginia’s first professional play based on the African American experience. Tracing their history back to 1796, the Brooks family boasts military service across five generations.

Author and local social studies teacher Joe Gorman celebrates the rich history and proud heritage of Hanover County African Americans.

This book takes young readers on a sweet journey of baking and decorating a cake with Amy and her pup, Charlee.

Readers will be encouraged to use their imagination while learning about the basics of baking, handwashing, kitchen safety, and the joys of sharing in a fun way. A buttercream icing recipe is included for little chefs to create their own delicious treats.

There is a chef who loves to cook, and gumbo is on the menu!

Sing, clap, and spell along in this Louisiana twist on the classic B-I-N-G-O song.

With pots bubbling and aromas swirling, this catchy read-aloud serves up a flavorful helping of Louisiana culture, filled with rhythm, rhyme, and joyful repetition: G-U-M-B-O!

Pirate history, costumes, and decorated boats and ships have been the center of the famed Gasparilla Pirate Festival for over a century.

Since 1904, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla has staged an annual mock pirate invasion of Tampa, Florida, a tradition that has become known as Gasparilla. The name of the event originated from stories and tales regarding Gasparilla, a legendary pirate who reportedly roamed the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast in the early 1800s.

The sound of cannon fire heard for miles across the Tampa Bay area signals the arrival of the José Gasparilla ship and the beginning of the piratical invasion of Tampa. Thousands of spectators line the waterways to watch the ship and massive boat flotilla make their way to dock at the Tampa Convention Center.

Following the traditional demand for the keys to the city, a parade is staged, the third-largest one-day parade in the country. Tampa’s iconic Bayshore Boulevard is lined with several hundred thousand spectators, krewes, and other participants who produce a spectacular parade.

The history committee of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla has provided the historical references for the book, and photographic materials have been obtained from leading institutions, including the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library System, the State of Florida Archives, and the University of South Florida Library Special Collections.

Perfect for readers interested in the abundant and thought-provoking history of the southern United States, the story of Pine Mountain is one of hardship, adaptation, and reconciliation.

Kings Gap, Bethany, Hood, Chipley, and Callaway invoke the different chapters of the story. This area of Georgia was settled in the 1830s following lotteries that distributed land acquired from the Creek Indian Nation. The catalyst for Chipley, chartered in 1882, the precursor of Pine Mountain, was the railroad. It had profound effects: subsistence farming became agriculture, local trading became commerce, and distant neighbors turned into fellow townsfolk.

By the mid-20th century, there were efforts to promote Chipley as a site for industry and a pleasant place to visit. On May 21, 1952, Ida Cason Callaway Gardens opened its gates. Over the following years, it resulted in lasting changes and was the impetus for the alteration of the town’s name to Pine Mountain in 1958.

Chipley Historical Center was founded in 1984 to record the vanishing way of life. The center has collected and preserved photographs, documents, genealogical records, and artifacts that might otherwise have disappeared. Most of the images in this book are from the center’s archives.

Helen L. Brackett and other volunteer staff of the Chipley Historical Center compiled this record from material contributed by current and former residents.

A work stoppage on the rails led to a fascinating moment in Ohio history.

As the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 made its way into Ohio, the state already had its share of problems. Tramps, men who’d taken to the road looking for work because of the economic depression of the 1870s, seemed to be overrunning the state. Railroads, one of Ohio’s biggest employers, cut jobs. Those not fired suffered from repeated cuts in wages and hours, making their already unsafe work conditions worse.

Strikes in neighboring states, instigated by another 10 percent wage cut on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, became violent and destructive. When they broke out in Ohio, something remarkable happened. Strikers remained mostly peaceful, avoiding the killing, looting, and vandalism seen elsewhere. Much of the credit for the path taken by Ohio must go to its level-headed governor, Thomas L. Young, who used the Ohio National Guard to great effect. 

History You Didn’t Learn in School

Discover powerful stories left out of most history books. Author Jeffrey Bennett reveals the hidden legacy of Black Virginians. From 1865 to 1877, over 80 Black politicians served across the state. Learn about a brave Black woman who spied on Confederate President Jefferson Davis while disguised as an enslaved worker.

See the history of more than seventy Black communities lost in Virginia. Read the story of a 135-year-old church and the meaning behind land passed down through generations. These stories show the strength and impact of Black families before and after slavery. Perfect for history lovers and older readers, this collection brings forgotten voices back to life.

How the U.S. law targeting Chinese laborers impacted families for generations.

Near the end of the nineteenth century, after the railroads were completed and the gold mines exhausted, an economic downturn stirred up anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States. Capitalizing on this prejudice, the government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 to limit immigration and naturalization for people of Chinese descent. By 1892, Chinese were required to obtain certificates of residency or identity and carry them at all times. Those who did not could be deported or imprisoned. As the law became stricter, interrogations, affidavits, and Caucasian witnesses were required to prove Chinese people’s right to remain in America. The act wouldn’t be repealed until 1943.

From the National Archives at Seattle, certified genealogist emeritus Trish Hackett Nicola brings to life the case files of Chinese immigrants.

See the Real Central Florida   

Central Florida is more than theme parks and condos. Beneath the surface lies a rich and surprising past. River pirates once ruled its inland waterways. Spanish forts and Confederate hideouts marked its wild frontier.Tarpon Springs became home to the largest Greek-American community in the U.S. French pirates sailed through Pinellas County’s bays and barrier islands. During Prohibition, the Harris Chain of Lakes tied the region to Caribbean rum-runners and Gatsby-style parties.Along the Treasure Coast, lighthouse keepers risked their lives to guide sailors past deadly shoals.

Native Floridian Jennifer Husmann brings these forgotten stories to life with vivid detail and deep research. Perfect for readers who love Florida history, hidden places, and real stories from the past. Take a journey through Central Florida like you’ve never seen it before—authentic, adventurous, and full of untold tales.

According to the Bureau of Governmental Research, “Few people alive today have had as great an impact on New Orleans’s physical environment as Bob Becker.”

In Going South, Becker recounts a lifetime of personal experiences with humor, self-deprecation, and appreciation for lessons learned. Turning back the clock to the 1950s and beginning with his early days as a newspaper boy in Buffalo, New York., Bob reveals the early interactions and experiences that helped to form his journey from the windswept snow of his hometown to the Big Easy, with adventures in the remote island of New Guinea and the plains of Africa.

The many additional stories come from Bob’s fascinating career, which has included being New Orleans city planning director, zoo manager, college educator, consultant, author, and chief executive of one of the nation’s largest urban parks. His many adventures and challenges include planning the 1984 World’s Fair, navigating the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and confronting venomous snakes. Going South celebrates the legacy of an everyman from a working-class family who rose to prominence as a “mover and shaker” in New Orleans.

A Presidential Love Story   

When a young officer newly graduated from West Point met the eldest daughter of a gruff Missouri slaveowner, farmer and land speculator, it was love at first sight. Ulysses Grant and Julia Dent courted at her family farm, White Haven, until he was called away to the Mexican-American War. Secretly engaged, Ulysses wrote tender letters to Julia between daring exploits in battle. Upon his return, they were married. Ulysses’s military career stagnated, and after a miserable period of separation while he was stationed on the West Coast, Ulysses resigned to join Julia at White Haven before his second stint during the Civil War. Authors Vicki and Jim Erwin relate the Grants’ early life, their courtship, their life in Missouri and how that life shaped their future.

Join Huey the river rat on a Louisiana adventure of bridges, levees, and landmarks

Huey and his family of river rats live along the batture of the Mississippi River near New Orleans. He dreams of riding the bridge train atop the Huey P. Long bridge and exploring the world beyond his family’s home on the levee. Follow along on an adventure that weaves through some of Louisiana’s most fascinating characters and famous landmarks. 

Welcome to Michigan! Parent and child wolverines tour Michigan from lakeshore to city street in best-selling author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock's Hello! board book series for children.

In Hello, Michigan!, join the pair as they visit a Sleeping Bear, cross the Might Mac bridge, take a carriage ride on Mackinac Island, dance through history in Detroit, and cheer on the university teams. With something for the entire family to enjoy, you won’t want to say goodbye!

Author Ryan Starrett examines nine lives who played critical roles at the Battle of New Orleans. Andrew Jackson. Edward Pakenham. Jean Laffite. Reuben Kemper. George Robert Gleig. Edward Nicolls. Arsène Lacarrière-Latour. Daniel Todd Patterson. Peter Ellis Bean. Nine men from nine different worlds traveled nine roads, all of which ended at Chalmette Battlefield, seven miles outside New Orleans. The fate of nine lives—and of a nation—would be settled over a sixteen-day period. The intricately interwoven tapestry of their stories relates the principal events of their time, from the American and Mexican Revolutions to Napoleon to the battle for the Gulf Coast, culminating in the epochal Battle of New Orleans.