Now known as the "Gateway to the Hill Country," this small, historic town was once just a stagecoach stop between Austin and San Antonio. Founded by three pioneer families arriving from Mississippi in early 1854, the area was originally occupied by Tonkawa Indians. Despite an increasing pace of growth, the agrarian lifestyle established by the founding families continues to be preserved by farmers and ranchers, and the town remains committed to preserving its history. A local walking tour features a variety of sites, from the namesake Indian watering hole in town to the restored Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead at Founder's Park. Another landmark is the world-famous Salt Lick BBQ, where hundreds of visitors gather nightly to mingle with the locals and enjoy a delicious "taste" of history. Still, the main attractions to life in Dripping Springs continue to be what drew the original founders: simple charm, a family lifestyle, and lifelong friendships--all set in the beauty of the central Texas hill country.

Few people realize that West Salem was an independent town for over 30 years. From its early development in the mid-19th century--when valley homesteaders grew wheat, hops, and fruits--to the founding of Fairview School in 1868, the opening of the Center Street Bridge across the Willamette River in 1886, the rail line in 1909, and a city charter in 1913 to the surrender of that charter to Salem in 1949, the West Salem area forged its own unique identity. Today, West Salem is a thriving community full of cherished memories alongside physical reminders of its independence, such as the Art Deco-style city hall and jailhouse.

The story of Humboldt County begins with a settlement of
progressive dissenters and New England conservatives in north
central Iowa. It is the tale of land-starved Scandinavian and Northern
European immigrants who traveled to the area seeking rich soil for
their farms. Early settlement in the county began in 1854, and Dakota
City became the county seat. In 1863, the Reverend Stephen H. Taft
brought a colony of his followers to form Springvale, now the city
of Humboldt. After the coming of the railroad in 1879, the county
prospered from the sale of agricultural products and equipment. Today,
new industries are attracted to Humboldt County's skilled labor force,
work ethic, and high quality of life. The combination of high-tech
school facilities and a wide range of recreational opportunities attracts
thousands of people every year.

Named for the river made famous in song and surrounded by it on three sides, Suwannee County was established on December 21, 1858. Its humble beginnings were interrupted by the Civil War, but within a few decades, thousands flocked to the warm climate to make a fortune in timber, cotton, and naval stores. Others visited world-renowned springs that helped to turn Suwannee County into a vacationer's dream at the close of the 19th century. The clearing of the virgin timber, destruction of the cotton crop, and speedy growth of South Florida during and after World War I led to an economic slump and altered the lifestyles of many local citizens. Suwannee County continues to attract thousands of visitors and new residents every year with the pristine beauty of the Suwannee River and the promise of quiet living in a rural setting.

In a collection of fascinating and somewhat lighthearted vignettes, Jeannie Weller Cooper recounts the history of "Panama City Beach," the name that immediately conjures visions of bright yellow sun, gleaming white sand, and clear turquoise waters capped with surf. Panama City Beach is the barrier island beach for the bustling Panama City, and natives identify with both towns in the manner of Miami and Miami Beach. First inhabited by Native Americans in the years before the Spanish arrived in the 1500 and 1600s, the area has always proved a good hideout for fugitives, from Native Americans fleeing from the white men, to runaway slaves, Civil War soldiers, outlaws, and rumrunners. In 1929 the first Hathaway Bridge was completed, connecting greater Panama City to the Beach. Like the state of Florida, the lagoon and the beach remained a sleepy curiosity, until the bombing of Pearl Harbor mobilized the United States to war. The population boomed after the war, and now PCB and downtown PC is home to thousands of residents, as well as being a renowned as a tourist destination.

A chant used by dice players during both world wars and later made into a song recorded by Tex Ritter, "Tenaha, Timpson, Bobo, and Blair" made the rural area surrounding Timpson internationally recognized. Situated along the northwest border of Shelby County, the city of Timpson sprang up almost overnight when the Houston East and West Texas Railroad reached its present site in 1885. The city quickly became the major shipping point for the area, with four railroads connecting at Timpson by 1904. Notable in the city's history is its sacrifice of young lives during two world wars. The Timpson Guard Company was called into national service during both wars, and during World War I, Company B, 3rd Texas Infantry was said to have had more commissioned officers than any unit from towns of comparable size. Beginning in the mid-1940s, population slowly declined as families sought opportunities elsewhere. Still predominately rural, Timpson is set to enjoy a steady revitalization as recent gas exploration spurs its growth. Timpson has had its share of tragedy, intrigue, and notable residents, but its lasting legacy comes from the honest, hardworking people who have called Timpson home.

Johnson lies in the central part of Lamoille County, situated between Sterling and Butternut Mountains. Johnson is a rural community with an agricultural and retail presence, plus an abundance of educational opportunity with both Johnson State College and the Vermont Studio Center. The town is snuggled between two ski areas, Mount Mansfield at Stowe and Smuggler's Notch at Jeffersonville. While many mills from the early days no longer exist, the Johnson Woolen Mill and Parker and Stearns Lumber Company continue to operate. Johnson captures the physical, social, and cultural essence of the town's early days. Each picture records for posterity the faces of those who helped to make Johnson the community that it is today.

West Jefferson did not exist until local entrepreneurs saw an opportunity to run the tracks from Whitetop Mountain in Virginia to North Carolina. In 1914, the Virginia Carolina Railroad came to Ashe County. Virgin timber grew in the mountains, luring the Hassenger Lumber Company into the area. Small sawmills and lumbering operations were located "up every holler," so the tracks were expanded into Elkland, known today as Todd. Until 1933, the train ran daily into the county, and communities such as Nella, Tuckerdale, Camrose, Bowie, Lansing, Warrensville, Berlin, and West Jefferson grew up along the tracks. The timber was gone by 1929, and when the Great Depression came, the Norfolk and Western Abingdon Line made the slow grinding haul up the mountain every week. During the 1950s and 1960s, the spectacular fall leaf displays made excursion trains popular for tourists. The last train ran in 1977, and the tracks in Ashe County were removed, leaving only a few vestiges to show the train was ever here.

Shadowman is seen roaming the grounds at Cowtown. The blacksmith touches investigators in his shop. The former church on Hillside Street has a friendly ghost named Belle. These are just a few of the characters that linger in Haunted Wichita. Wichita grew from the prairie as a cattle town into "the Peerless Princess of the Plains." Influenced by bold settlers, the city reflects the American spirit of capitalism and manifest destiny. Explore the haunted history of Wichita through supernatural tales from Cowtown, the Delano District, theaters, and hotels. Most are authentic haunted locations, as documented by Wichita Paranormal Research Society (WPRS) and Paranormal Research Investigators (PRI).

Established in 1837 out of Stephen F. Austin's original colony, Fayette County's roots reach back in Texas history to the days of Mexican empresarios and native Indian tribes, spanning the boom period of 19th century European migration and colonization and stretching into the earliest days of 20th century America. It is the quintessential Texas county made up of vibrant, diverse cultures and unique communities. Originally settled by "Americans" from the southern United States, its later development was influenced and led by first German and then Czech immigrants escaping the European revolutions and economic hardships in search of the definitive American Dream.

Today there is a tranquil section of Williston, Vermont known as North Williston. But it wasn't always that way; at one time it was a thriving village in its own right. North Williston gained importance coinciding with the predominance of the railroad, from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The trains brought passengers, freight, and mail to Williston. Numerous industries sprang up close to the tracks. With the decline of the importance of the railroad, businesses in North Williston closed. North Williston became the industrial and commercial section of Williston and attracted such businessmen as Smith Wright and John Whitcomb, who used the area as a base to acquire significant wealth and influence. Other North Williston industries included a rake factory, a cheese factory, the Fay and Whitcomb lumber and grain business, a blacksmith shop, and a creamery.

Located in northeast Queens, Fresh Meadows grew up around a housing development of the same name, built for World War II veterans. The site plan for the development not only provided an array of green open space, but it also enabled residents to enjoy a variety of services within walking distance. The development became the centerpiece of a brand-new neighborhood, which had been the site of a country club and farmland. In 1949, renowned urban and architecture critic Lewis Mumford hailed the Fresh Meadows housing development as "perhaps the most positive and exhilarating example of large-scale community planning in this country." Fresh Meadows captures the optimism of the postwar era by illustrating how middle-class families thrived in an environment that combined the best aspects of urban and suburban living.

Before it became home to generations of skiers, Gunstock Mountain began as a WPA recreation project during the Great Depression that transformed the small farming community of Gilford into one of central New Hampshire's most renowned skiing resorts. Join local ski historian Carol Anderson as she takes on the triumphs and defeats of four high-altitude jumps and the history of the snowy trails of the Gunstock Mountain Resort. Approaching its seventy-fifth anniversary, Gunstock has produced champion skiers and Olympians, including two-time silver medalist Penny Pitou, ski icon T. Gary Allen and the ski jumping sensation Torger Tokle. Anderson pays tribute to those individuals who have worked, skied or played a part in this iconic mountain of the Lakes Region.

Incorporated in 1795, Plymouth is known for its industrialists and innovations. A. Terry & Company was a pioneer in the industry of malleable iron, and Eli Terry was instrumental in the creation of interchangeable parts leading to mass production. Cooper Oven Thermometer designed and created the first baking thermometers in the United States. Plymouth is also home to two sections of historic importance listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Plymouth Center, known as the initial center of town with locations on the Underground Railroad, and East Church, where a small group of Tories lived during the Revolutionary War.

Mysterious Madison explores the paranormal tales of Madison, Wisconsin. From sightings of UFO's and strange creatures, like the Lake Monster of Monoma, to unsolved murders, such as the unexplained murder of Father Cunse. Discover the supernatural stories of Witches Point and delve into the infamous United States Air Force Project Blue Book. Author Noah Voss takes you on a ride around the dark corners of Madison's wicked history.

Travel alongside historian Cliff Caldwell as he uncovers tales of true Texas grit, all within a day's ride of Mountain Home. Rough characters were plentiful in Kerr County after the Civil War. In fact, no fewer than three thousand of these outlaws were reportedly brought to justice in this same area before the end of the nineteenth century. While Native Americans fought for their ground, notorious gunmen like John Wesley Hardin and Frank Eastwood gained ill-deserved riches or met their fates at the hands of legendary rangers like N.O. Reynolds and Thalis T. Cook. Meet the dastardly yet lesser-known individuals like "Gip" Hardin, a teacher whose drunken night out turned into a gunfight outside Junction City's Turman Hotel, and the Ake brothers, two of the only members of the Eastwood Gang to be set free.

The friendly, relaxed atmosphere of the North Country belies a dark and sordid history: a time when it seemed that every city had its red-light district and every hamlet its brothel. Revisit an enigmatic period fraught with pistol duels and "tramp camps;" hermits on the run, "wild man" sightings and horse thieves. Local author Cheri Farnsworth has carefully researched and compiled the region's most wicked stories here, like the Potsdam man who literally scared his wife to death, the woman who was won in a game of cards, and the little girl who was taken by gypsies, sold for fifty cents, and then traded for a half a dozen chickens.

California's mighty rivers served as the state's early superhighways. Riverboats transported countless tons of supplies, workers, and settlers from the coast to inland gold rush colonies and everywhere in between. Majestic sidewheelers and sternwheelers burning coal, wood, and oil plied the waterways of the delta, as well as the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Napa Rivers, and the lesser-known routes of the Sonoma and Petaluma. Starting with the Sitka in 1847, boats such as the Captain Weber, Jacinto, Fort Sutter, T.C. Walker, and J.R. McDonald ruled the rivers, visiting such ports as Courtland, Stockton, Sacramento, San Francisco, Marysville, Firebaugh, Yuba City, and Rio Vista.

Colorado's southwesternmost city has perpetually verged on all that is desirable in the American Southwest for tourism, recreation, and high-desert living. Cortez is surrounded by scenic mountains and red-rock canyons, Anasazi archaeological sites and a varied Native American heritage, and a sunny climate. Yet for centuries, rugged landscapes and lack of water made communication, transportation, and commerce difficult. Residents developed a fierce self-reliance. Area farmers received a boost when the Dolores River was diverted in 1889 by the nearly unimaginable man-and-mule-hewn Great Cut and a 5,400-foot-long irrigation tunnel. Cortez's hardscrabble growth found additional relief in the 1950s due to the Four Corners gas and oil boom. Congressman Wayne Aspinall helped establish the Dolores Water Conservancy District in 1961, construction of McPhee Dam on the Dolores River began in 1978, and finally in 1986, Montezuma Valley obtained a reliable water supply. Lake McPhee provides water for farms, families, and enterprises and adds to local beauty and recreation.

Flowing 75 westerly miles from Florida's Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico, the historic Caloosahatchee River has always been critically important to the region it traverses. As it makes its way past farm fields, quiet hamlets, and urban downtowns, manatees graze in its warm shallows, bass lurk in its shaded oxbows, and alligators sun on its banks. Over the years, the river has attracted luminaries as well as colorful characters. Thomas Edison had a Caloosahatchee riverfront home, as did Henry Ford and telegrapher George Shulz, who created Florida's tarpon-fishing industry. Without the Caloosahatchee, the Southwest Florida that people know today would not exist. Without people, however, the river known as the Caloosahatchee would not exist either, since it was human effort and engineering that connected the river to the lake and made it navigable--changes that sometimes spelled disaster.

The San Francisco Peninsula serves as a geographic and transportation link between the cities of San Francisco, San Jose, and all points north and south. As commerce increased along its highways and railroad lines from the late 19th century onward, cities and towns flourished along that corridor. Wherever commerce went, entertainment followed. Beginning with early playhouses and storefront nickelodeons, continuing through the movie palace period, the golden age of the drive-in theatre, and into the days of the multiplex, this volume of vintage photographs captures the various eras as they applied to the peninsula.