Name: Legendary Locals of Androscoggin County
Brand: Maxwell Mogensen
SKU: 9781467100946
Price: 17.49 USD
Availability: InStock

Legendary Locals of Androscoggin County

9781467100946

$24.99 $17.49 Save 30%

In as much as it has endowed the region with a rich heritage, plentiful stories, and a host of colorful characters, history has been kind to Androscoggin County. But history can also be dark and uncanny, as when Francis E. Stanley, a Lewiston resident and inventor of an early steam-powered vehicle, died in an automobile accident. It can be eerie, like when his twin brother opened an enormous hotel--now purportedly home to his ghost--that became the inspiration for Stephen King's novel The Shining. These twists of fate begin to unravel the tale of Androscoggin County's legendary locals. Some, like Benjamin Bates and Edward Little, are remembered for the institutions they helped create. Others raised the hopes and spirits of their neighbors, like Joey Gamache, who won two boxing world titles in the early 1990s. Still others are remembered for the subtler ways they affected change, like Rita Dube, who saved Lewiston's St. Mary's Church from demolition and helped create the Franco-American Heritage Center. Some notable residents ascended to the highest offices of government, others to national fame, but many are remembered for the significant ways they shaped their communities, and Androscoggin County, from within.

Legendary Locals of Amesbury

9781467101141

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Amesbury was incorporated in 1668. The settlers began to build the community, starting the first sawmills on the Powwow River. The community continued to grow with carriage manufacturers starting businesses in town; Jacob Huntington was very influential in this endeavor. The automobile industry was the next major industry with the S.R. Bailey Company leading the way. George McNeil was responsible for unions coming to town, and Amelia Earhart was teaching English as a second language to factory workers. Valentine Bagley made sure that everyone had water, and John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about it, "The Captain's Well." Gregory Hoyt and Jeffrey Donovan left the Amesbury High School drama club behind and made it big in movies and television. Ryan Noon went from designing his own fashions to designing for Nike. Legendary Locals of Amesbury showcases just a select few from the long list of fabulous people who have helped make Amesbury the community it is today.

Wicked Ridgefield, Connecticut

9781467136822

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Ridgefield is no stranger to life's shadier characters. The history of this idyllic community includes cunning crooks, suburban embezzlers, bungling burglars and wandering scallywags. In 1894, a group of bank robbers literally blew it in a heist at the Saving Bank--the explosion attracted witnesses to see the gang miss out on a grand haul of fifty dollars. Half a decade later, in 1940, a skeleton whose origins still befuddle experts was unearthed in a tree nursery. This look at the darker side of Ridgefield's past includes sad and tragic moments as well, such as newlyweds imprisoned in the Tombs, the Satanists of the '70s and a hermit murdered for love. Local editor Jack Sanders tells fascinating tales of two centuries of Ridgefield criminals, n'er-do-wells and even wayward do-gooders in this entertaining--and occasionally humorous--glimpse into some of the town's wickedest moments.

The Ghosts of Chippeny Hill

9781634990400

$22.99 $16.09 Save 30%

Chippeny Hill, located in the northeast corner of Bristol (then New Cambridge), Harwinton and Plymouth has long been known as the home of Tories. Tories in Revolutionary War times were those that remained loyal to England, or were perhaps just fond of the Anglican Church. The Puritans were a stern bunch and those of the Church of England had songs to share, Christmas trees, feasts and presents. Rev. Newell of the First Congregational Church of New Cambridge said such things were of the devil.
After the French and Indian War, England needed to replenish its sorely depleted treasury. England felt that since much of its expenditure was to protect the American colonies from French incursion, it only seemed right that the colonies should pay their share. The American colonies did not agree and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War struggles began. Those loyal to England gathered on Chippeny Hill. Their stories are today's legends, ghosts and myths--the very fabric of early Connecticut.

Legendary Locals of Concord

9781467101967

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The land now called Concord was originally inhabited by the Abenaki people and the Penacook tribe. Concord's first settlers, such as Ebenezer Eastman, began laying out the Plantation of Penacook, as it was known in 1725, along the fertile fields of the Merrimack River. It was incorporated in 1734 as Rumford and then renamed to Concord by Gov. Benning Wentworth in 1765. Concord experienced a surge in transportation and manufacturing in the 19th century, producing the Concord Coaches, Prescott Pianos, and steam boilers. As Concord celebrates its 250th anniversary, the city flourishes as the state capital and has a thriving community of restaurants, entertainment, and culture for all to enjoy. It retains its town sensibility as it plans for the continued growth of the local economy. Today's civic leaders, like Byron Champlin and James Carroll, work conjointly with business leaders, such as Tom Arnold of Arnie's and Juliana Eades of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, to build and enhance Concord's cultural, social, and economic identity.

Legendary Locals of Boston's South End

9781467101127

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From the South End's early years as an upper- and middle-class residential district to its time as an immigrant and rooming house neighborhood and then to its recent urban renewal, residents have shaped its legacy and its place within the city of Boston. Locals have worked in common to make the South End a safe and vibrant community for over two centuries. Notables such as architect Gridley J.F. Bryant, preservation advocate Arthur Howe, and pedestrian advocate Ann Hershfang contributed immensely to the built environment. Residents like settlement house leader Robert Woods, immigrant and author Mary Antin, politician and activist Mel King, urban gardener Betsy Johnson, and lawyer Harry Dow, to name a few, shaped minds and lives alike. Add to their ranks artists like Allan Rohan Crite and Kahlil Gibran, jazz club owner Joseph Walcott, longtime restaurateurs such as the Foley and Manjourides families, and bar owner and gay rights advocate Leo Motsis and a true picture of the South End's history and diversity begins to emerge.

Legendary Locals of Foxborough

9781467101158

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The story of a community is best told through the stories of its people. And Legendary Locals of Foxborough by veteran journalist Jeffrey Peterson aspires to do just that. Relying heavily on newspaper files and Foxborough Historic Commission archives, Peterson introduces readers not only to the movers and shakers who made headlines over the past two centuries but also to scores of common folks with decidedly uncommon stories: E.P. Carpenter, 19th-century industrialist and visionary; E.H. and B.B. Bristol, brothers whose Foxboro Company ushered in decades of unprecedented prosperity; outsized personalities like Betty Friedmann, Al Truax, and Herb Seltsam; lanky Gene Conley, Boston Red Sox pitcher and Boston Celtics center; Alex and Sonja Spier, who fled postwar Europe to establish a local real estate empire; beloved Deerfield Academy headmaster Frank Boyden; and renowned educators John Ahern, Mabelle Burrill, and Steve Massey. Images and biographical text on these and other remarkable residents provide a delightful retrospective documenting the rich and spirited community of Foxborough.

Legendary Locals of Middletown

9781467101202

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Although the town benefits from a position on a major navigable waterway, Middletown's success is primarily due to the energy, creativity, and diversity of its people. These include James Riley, whose autobiography detailing his trials as a white slave in Northern Africa showed millions of Americans the evils of slavery; Max Corvo, who helped the World War II Italian underground defeat the fascist regime; and Christie Ellen McLeod, longtime chief pathologist at Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Middletown can boast of athletes such as Helen "Babe" Carlson, a tremendously strong competitor who participated on men's baseball teams; Willie Pep, who, while going for the world featherweight title, had a record of 134 wins and only one loss; and Corny Thompson, who sparked the University of Connecticut basketball program's rise to national prominence. More notables include Allie Wrubel, a prolific songwriter and Academy Award winner for his song "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah;" Vivian McRae Wesley, a teacher, reading director, and leader of Middletown's African American community; and Francesco Lentini, who was born with three legs and appeared in every major circus and carnival.

Haunted Cape Cod's Sea Captains, Shipwrecks, and Spirits

9781455626823

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

BEWARE THE SALTY SEA DOGS AND WRETCHED WRECKS
ALONG THE SPIRIT-FILLED COAST OF CAPE COD

Clipper ships, packet ships, whale boats, and steamers left home ports on Cape Cod to navigate the icy seas. Death demanded a toll from those aboard who dared to risk the waves--and those they left behind forever awaiting their return. Extracted from The Haunting of Cape Cod and the Islands, published by Pelican Publishing, plus four new chapters, each tale brims with a froth of fascinating facts related to the ghostly mariners and their exploits . . . or their watery graves. Addresses for these fraught sites can be found at the end of the book; contacting the ghosts is up to you.

Haunted Cape Cod's Sea Captains, Shipwrecks, and Spirits

Legendary Locals of Arlington

9781467102230

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From its days as the site of a Revolutionary War battle to its modern-day appeal as a restaurant mecca, Arlington, at its heart, is a community of active citizens. Once agricultural, Arlington is now a cosmopolitan suburb and home to businesspeople, scientists, artists, and others who have been supported by their town and, in turn, have created an energetic community. Peg Spengler's foresight helped shape town government while James McGough's dream of a museum honoring local sculptor Cyrus Dallin came true. Dentist George Franklin Grant was the first African American on Harvard's faculty and invented the golf tee; years later, Bob Frankston invented the spreadsheet. John Mirak, orphaned in the Armenian genocide, became a town benefactor while Howard Clery turned a family tragedy into a cause to help others. The Hurd and Greeley families have long served their community as public servants. Their stories make up Legendary Locals of Arlington, paying tribute to just some of the people who make this dynamic town their home.

Legendary Locals of Brookline

9781467101370

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For its first 75 years, Brookline was a bucolic area of Boston, with rolling hills and low-lying salt marshes. Named "Muddy River" by its residents after a shallow tidal estuary bordering Roxbury, Brookline had no more than 50 families inhabiting it when it was incorporated as an independent town on November 13, 1705. Long regarded as a liberal, progressive community, Brookline is a model of how an effective town government can positively impact the life of its citizens. Brookline boasts numerous Nobel Prize winners--doctors, scientists, and researchers who have made enormous strides in their fields. Brookline shares Boston's strong literary tradition, with residents like poet Amy Lowell and mystery writer Dennis Lehane. Brookline's pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, with many residents who eschew cars and shop locally, attracts many small-business owners such as Dana Brigham and Seth Barrett. Brookline has been home to a number of sports luminaries like Larry Bird, Terry Francona, and Robert Kraft. Famous politicians include the 35th president, John F. Kennedy, who was born in Brookline; former governor Michael Dukakis; and New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. Legendary Locals of Brookline tells their stories, as well as the stories of some of the lesser-known heroes and humanitarians who make Brookline a great place to call home.

Legendary Locals of Newtown

9781467100717

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Since its inception in 1705, Newtown has been an agricultural community at heart. Small, self-sufficient, subsistence farms grew but not substantially enough to overcome competition from the South and Midwest. Men like Ezra Johnson continued to farm until the beginning of the 20th century; others turned to dairy farming, like Israel Nezvesky, or to wholesale nursery operations, like Charles Newman, or to viniculture, like Morgan McLaughlin. Industry made contributions to Newtown's economic landscape in the 19th century through the efforts of William Cole of the New York Belting and Packing Company and Samuel Curtis of Curtis Packaging. James Brunot, developer of Scrabble, and William Upham, inventor of the tea bag, continued to innovate and form Newtown's unique culture. Community commitment thrives today through people like Laurie McCollum, who continues her grandfather's tradition as manager of Lorenzo's Restaurant, and Diane Wardenburg, who carries on Ginny Lathrop's legacy by guiding the Lathrop School of Dance to serve a new generation of aspiring dancers.

Legendary Locals of Haverhill

9781467100007

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Since Haverhill was first settled in 1640, its citizens have shown courage and determination to make it a better place to live. Many unique individuals have called Haverhill home, including Hannah Dustin, who was captured by and then avenged a group of Abenaki Indians; business pioneer Thomas Sanders, financial backer of Alexander Graham Bell; department store entrepreneur Rowland Macy; James Nichols, whose home Winnekenni Castle became one of Haverhill's most famous landmarks; baseball star Carlos Pena; Gerald Ashworth, Olympic gold medalist; literary greats John Greenleaf Whittier and Andre Dubus; Archie Comics artist Bob Montana; screenwriter Harold Livingston; and rising star Christopher Golden. Movie mogul Louis B. Mayer and television personalities Tom Bergeron and Frank Fontaine, along with gardening legend James Crocket, all began their careers here. And Haverhill's veterans who have gone into harm's way to defend our country are not to be forgotten. This book is a tribute to them and all of Haverhill's citizens boldly moving forward.

Legendary Locals of Burlington

9781467100663

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A bustling lumber and trading port on the shores of Lake Champlain founded by Ethan and Ira Allen in the 1780s became the city of Burlington in 1865. With a current population of almost 43,000 residents, Burlington is still Vermont's "Queen City," consistently nationally ranked for quality of life and as a great place to both raise a family and to retire. It is not just the beautiful scenery and endlessly interesting weather that makes Burlington desirable but also the amazing people and businesses of Burlington that make it unique. Burlington is the hometown of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream; Horatio Nelson Jackson, the first man to drive an automobile across the continental United States; the Lake Champlain Chocolate Company; first lady Grace Coolidge; the Vermont Pub & Brewery, one of the nation's first brewpubs; philosopher and educator John Dewey; the world-renowned jam band Phish; a small army of accomplished and eclectic artists; and more interesting coffee and tea shops than almost any other small city in the country.

Wicked Waterbury

9781596296299

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

In its early days, Waterbury was a muddy swamp, a breeding ground for pestilence and mosquitoes. Yet the town's early settlers rarely strayed from the path of Puritan righteousness. By the turn of the twentieth century, however, this rigorously policed, morally upright community had become what one politician called a "crossroads of slime and evil." Headlines boasted tales of corrupt politicians and love scandals, union strife and industrial sabotage. For sixteen years, Waterbury was the hideout for "Mad Bomber" George Metesky, and in 1974 the town witnessed the double homicide that provoked the longest-running trial in Connecticut's history. From the controversial opening of a birth control clinic to the corruption of Mayor T. Frank Hayes, authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray document the major episodes that gave Waterbury the nickname "Sin City."

Ghosts of Plymouth, Massachusetts

9781625858788

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Plymouth is known worldwide as "America's Hometown," landing place of the Pilgrims in 1620 and home of the first Thanksgiving, but the real story of the town is a tale of grim beginnings.

A ghostly Victorian couple is known to wander Burial Hill, plague, desperation, massacre, murder and fear loom. A shocking crime on Leyden Street, one of the oldest streets in America, still haunts the area. The crew of the brigantine General Arnold, trapped offshore during an icy eighteenth-century blizzard, are suspected to haunt not one but three locations. Author Darcy H. Lee exposes the haunting acts that lie beneath Plymouth's cherished history.

Wicked Bridgeport

9781609493790

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Join Bielawa as he navigates a precarious path through the unforgettably macabre and scandalous misdeeds of Bridgeport.

Beneath the smokestacks of the gritty cityscape of Bridgeport, Connecticut is the shocking criminal underbelly of this New England community. Sin and vice have long had a home on the shores of the Long Island Sound, and Bridgeport's sinister past is littered with tales of pirates, mobsters, bizarre Victorian murders, and even rumors of a doctor's attempts to reanimate the dead. Historian Michael J. Bielawa investigates such bizarre crimes as the unsolved murder of philanthropist James Beardsley, and the grisly discovery in Yellow Mill Pond during the 19th century, which helped legitimize forensic science. Join Bielawa as he navigates a precarious path through the unforgettably macabre and scandalous misdeeds of Bridgeport.

Legendary Locals of Beacon Hill

9781467101493

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In the 1600s, William Blaxton set up his farmstead on Beacon Hill because it was far from the bustle of the city. John Hancock's uncle Thomas Hancock built his mansion on the hill in the 1700s so he could enjoy a rural lifestyle. In the early 1800s, future mayor of Boston Harrison Gray Otis moved to Beacon Hill because it was the new and fashionable neighborhood he was helping create. Louisa May Alcott, in the 19th century, and Robert Frost, in the 20th, lived on the hill because the literary set loved the neighborhood's picturesque streets and close quarters that made it easy to get together for conversation. The 9,000 residents who live in this small, urban neighborhood of Boston today appreciate its walkability, convenience, quirkiness, and neighborliness. The historic architecture, ever-burning gas lamps, rugged bricks, and one-of-a-kind shops prove that the best of the past can live comfortably with the novelty of the present.

Legends, Lore and Secrets of New England

9781609499464

$21.99 $15.39 Save 30%

The stories, legends, and lore surrounding New England's most haunted places. A must-read for fans of the supernatural and New England history.

New England's history is marked with witch executions, curses and an untold number of cemeteries hiding mysteries beneath their stones. In this sometimes harsh landscape, the truth is often stranger than fiction. Examine the footprints burned into the ledge of Devil's Foot Rockin Rhode Island. Spend a night at the Kennebunk Innin Maine, where the mischievous specter of Silas Perkins still resides. Traverse an old dirt road near Sterling, Connecticut, where the Darn Man'sfrozen body was uncovered in 1863.

Authors Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson uncover the history behind the region's best-kept secrets and lore. As you flip through these pages of New England's legends, tread lightly--you just might find a story that will follow you home.

Legends, Lore and Secrets of New England

Legendary Locals of Portsmouth

9781467100762

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From its beginnings as an English settlement to its evolution into a postwar tourist destination filled with restaurants, shops, and historic infrastructures, Portsmouth has seen its fair share of famous residents and local legends. The prominent people of Portsmouth range from the infamous Frank Jones, a merchant who became a world-famous brewer and eventual political playboy, to the lesser-known but equally influential Constance Bean, an administrative assistant in the city's recreation department who changed the lives of countless children through her care and compassion. While mindful of the past, Legendary Locals of Portsmouth focuses heavily on the city's contemporaries. Today's legendary locals include the likes of Frank Catalino, a local businessman whose love for pizza and people earned him a slice of his success on State Street; and Jim Splaine, a lifelong local politician who led the charge to legalize same-sex marriage and solidify New Hampshire's lead role in the presidential primaries. The story of Portsmouth could not be told without these people and other such notable names as "Sal the Barber," Evelyn Marconi, Celia Thaxter, Joe Shanley, Valerie Cunningham, and Macy Morse.

Legendary Locals of New Britain

9781467101134

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New Britain began in 1754 as an ecclesiastical society and farming village, and with few natural resources, was transformed into a modern industrial city by the time of its incorporation in 1871. Attracting waves of immigrant workers and entrepreneurs, this became a diverse but unified community in which people of all ethnicities worked together, served together in times of war, and even played together on the baseball fields. Legendary Locals of New Britain includes remarkable residents among the early inhabitants and settlers; the people and institutions that brought New Britain to cityhood; artists and entertainers; famous or leading immigrants; sports legends; and men and women who have otherwise made their mark on New Britain, the nation, or the world.