Historic Hawkins County in northeast Tennessee is an area so rich and diverse in history that it is actually 10 years older than the state itself. Organized in 1786, it was named for Benjamin Hawkins, a member of the Continental Congress. Rogersville, the county seat, boasts the stateas oldest courthouse. The town of Pressmenas Home served as the headquarters for the International Printing Pressmenas Union of America. During the Civil War, the Battle of Big Creek was fought on the banks of the Holston River a few miles south of Surgoinsville. Built in 1762, Long Meadow in Carters Valley is considered Tennesseeas oldest wooden structure. The countyas natural beauty once attracted Hollywood; in 1983, The River, starring Mel Gibson and Sissy Spacek was filmed in Laurel Run Park in Churchill. Motown legend Diana Ross has ancestral ties to Rotherwood Plantation in Allendale. Today Hawkins County retains much of the illustrious history and charm that has captivated residents and visitors for over 200 years.

Florida's Space Coast boasts a rich history.

Founded in a pine forest on the East Texas frontier, Carthage assumed the name of one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. Although Carthage, Texas, did not become a bustling metropolis, the community has enjoyed a long history as the type of stable town that forms the backbone of America. For more than a century and a half, residents have played roles--at times prominently--in the historical and cultural life of Texas and the nation. Carthage has produced decorated war heroes, internationally famous country music stars, a noted American historian, and a groundbreaking political figure. As the home of Tex Ritter, Gentleman Jim Reeves, Linda Davis, and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, the community has become a country music mainstay. Beyond its celebrities, however, Carthage has most importantly produced generation after generation of patriotic and hard-working men and women.

Knott's Berry Farm boasts a rich history.

An ancient fishing ground, vital shipping passage and final resting place for those unable to navigate its rocky shoals, "Nantucket Sound"- bordered by Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod and, of course, Nantucket- remains one of New England's most historic waterways. Here, the first rays of morning sunlight touch the United States before sweeping westward. In fact, the area's early inhabitants were called Wampanoag: 'People of the Dawn.' From whaling culture and infamous shipwrecks to legends of Vikings, sea gods and John Smith, local author Theresa Mitchell Barbo unearths the stories hidden beneath these rough waves. At once unforgiving and generous, "Nantucket Sound" has seduced countless seafarers with its siren song but still overflows with diverse marine life.

Site of the Gateway to the West, the Cumberland Gap, the history of Kentucky begins right here in Bell County. Early pioneers like Thomas Walker and Daniel Boone endured the untamed wilderness and opened the door to the Bluegrass for civilizations to follow. Those who subsequently made their homes here- who eked a living out of the rocky soil and survived civil war, world war, labor war and the booms and busts of timber and coal- have preserved this pioneering spirit. Lifelong resident Tim Cornett presents the history of his homeland from its first known inhabitants through the twentieth century, drawing on old letters, memoirs and personal interviews from the men and women who explored the land, exploited the land and shaped it into the Bell County we know today.

Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine. Unable to have children of their own, the Hersheys decided to use their wealth to create a home and school for orphaned boys. Established on November 15, 1909, the first students of what was then called the Hershey Industrial School lived and attended class in the Homestead, the rural birthplace of Milton Hershey. Here they were provided with a stable home life and a rigorous combination of agricultural, vocational, and academic learning. Today Milton Hershey School continues the tradition of preparing students to lead productive and fulfilling lives by providing a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need. Milton Hershey School chronicles the history and traditions of a legacy that continues to serve the needs of the thousands of boys and girls touched by the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey every day.

Established in 1852, Findlay Market is Ohio's oldest public market in continuous operation. Findlay Market opened just outside Cincinnati's city limits on land donated by James Findlay, in an area then known as the "Northern Liberties." Because the Northern Liberties lay beyond city jurisdiction, the area was known for social liberties such as prostitution, bootlegging, and thievery. In an effort to protect "the housewives" shopping there, city officials annexed the Findlay Market area. Annexation, however, did little to quell Findlay Market's outlying spirit. This spirit has contributed to its outlasting every other municipal market in the city and a rebelliousness that infuses the generations of vendors and shoppers who have forged strong relationships with one another and who continue to demand the City of Cincinnati wrestle with the complex urban challenges surrounding this beloved institution.

Pinole began as the cornerstone of a massive land grant nearly 200 years ago and grew to become an economic center of early Contra Costa County. Today it is a diverse and public-spirited small city with a high regard for, and interest in, its heritage. Pinole was named for the gruel (penole or pinolli) made from seeds, grain, and acorns given by welcoming Native Americans to explorers in the Pedro Fages expedition in 1772. Pinoleas rich commercial and farming historyamade possible by its access to San Pablo Bay and by the convergence of two railroads that ran through the heart of the communityais chronicled here with numerous photographs from the latter part of the 19th century through 2009, recalling buildings, people, and events that still live in the hearts of the cityas modern-day residents.

The oldest town in Denton County, Pilot Point is situated atop the highest point in North Texas at a place that was once a landmark for wagon train pilots traveling through the region. In 1854, the town was platted and lots were sold, many to cross-country pioneers who were drawn to the abundance of fresh water, game, and fertile soil. The city began to grow more quickly after incorporation in 1867, and when the railroad arrived in 1880, Pilot Point became one of the busiest trading centers in North Texas, boasting both the largest cotton gin and university. From the early days of cowboys and cotton in the 1800s, to oil and cattle in the 1930s, to the changes that came with the 1960s, this new volume tells the unique story of Pilot Point.

By 1909, the completion of the Garland Canal brought water to the arid lands in the central Bighorn Basin, transforming the high plains desert into irrigated farmland. Homesteaders and businessmen poured into the region and established the town of Powell, named after famed government explorer John Wesley Powell. Residents of Powell worked through the years to overcome a variety of obstacles and establish a vibrant and lasting community that would continue to bloom in the arid landscape.

Settled by pioneers from the South, Randolph County was organized in 1818 and named for a county in North Carolina. Winchester has always been the county seat, and the countyas other incorporated towns owe their continued existence to the coming of the railroads between 1852 and 1882. In its earliest years, Randolph County became known for its abolitionism and work for temperance. In the years after the Civil War, the countyas power grew economically and politically. The early 20th century witnessed a burgeoning manufacturing sector, and transportation was made easier through widespread use of steam railroads, electric interurban cars, and the automobile.

Founded in 1908 to provide services for visitors arriving at the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the town of West Yellowstone, Montana, serves tens of thousands of international travelers each year. From 1908 to 1960, visitors arrived on Union Pacific Railroad parlor cars and boarded awaiting stagecoaches or, in later years, touring buses to embark on their journey to Wonderland. The railroad no longer serves this popular gateway city, but West Yellowstone boasts the largest and most historically intact railroad complex built specifically to serve national park tourists. This historic railroad district, as well as the town, imparts to many visitors a sense of the adventure experienced during the golden age of railroad travel and public transportation.

Engineers, inventors, and dreamers in the state of Michigan had been searching for the secret of heavier-than-air flight well before the Wright brothersa successful flights in 1903. In 1911, the first aircraft manufacturer opened for business in Michigan. During the 1920s and 1930s, the Detroit area was known as the aAviation Capital of America.a The All-American Aircraft Show, held annually in Detroit from 1928 to 1933, was the major showcase for introducing new airplanes to the aviation community. Major competitions, such as the Ford Air Tours (1925 to 1931) and the Cirrus Derby (1930), originated and ended at airports in Michigan. Michiganas aircraft manufacturers made major contributions to Americaas war efforts, building 1,500 Liberty planes during World War I and 8,685 B-24 bombers during World War II. In addition to those major manufacturers, a large number of individual designers and entrepreneurs toiled to build the ultimate airplane. Today the pioneering tradition lives on in the hundreds of individuals who design and build airplanes in their garage or basement.

Since 1762, Bristol has prospered alongside the New Haven River. Its mighty waters powered mills and hardworking farmers, entrepreneurs and shopkeepers fueled the local economy. Local author Kerry K. Skiffington describes Bristol's history through brief essays highlighting its most remarkable people and moments, from the rise of Outlook Club and the Bristol Town Band to the many floods and fires that have challenged but never broken the town. She also uncovers forgotten figures, like Dr. Francis Briggs, known as much for his music as for his ministrations, and state representative Florence Cragen, one of many Vermont women to serve the legislature during World War II. Carefully researched and enlivened by interviews with longtime residents, "Bristol, Vermont: Historically Speaking" captures the essence of the town's enduring charm.

The general's courage and calm under pressure would be echoed by many other sons and daughters of Manchester in the succeeding centuries, as the hamlet settled around Amoskeag Falls grew into New Hampshire's largest city. John Clayton describes thirty-two of the Queen City's most remarkable residents, from Iwo Jima flag raiser Rene Gagnon and fast-food innovator Richard McDonald to lesser-known but equally compelling figures, including beloved lunch cart driver Arthur Red Ullrich and the late firefighter Dave Anderson. Collecting columns first published in the "New Hampshire Union Leader," Clayton reveals the essence of Manchester's enduring strength and appeal: its people.

Formed from portions of Wood, Tyler, and Ritchie Counties, Pleasants County was founded in 1851 and was named after Gov. James Pleasants Jr. of Virginia. Residents of Pleasants County fondly recall many of the buildings that no longer exist today, such as the button factory, blacksmith shop, marble factory, and the Quaker State Oil Refinery, all of which are preserved in the photographs that are showcased throughout Images of America: Pleasants County. Taking a step back in time, these photographs illustrate how the town and county looked more than 100 years ago, exploring a variety of the countyas activities and historic scenes and offering a colorful insight into the past as well as the present.

Located in an area known as the aPine Barrensa because the branches of the dense, virgin pine trees interlaced so tightly that they almost blocked the sunas rays and prevented the growth of ground vegetation, Colquitt County was formed from Thomas and Lowndes Counties in 1856. The county was named for Walter T. Colquitt, a Methodist minister, Georgiaas most successful criminal lawyer, and a state senator. The 1860 Federal Census listed 1,360 residents in the countyas 547.5 square miles. Set up as a buffer zone between the Seminole Indians of Florida and the Lower Creeks of Georgia, the area was considered by some members of the Georgia Assembly as apractically uselessa and not worthy of state expenditures for road construction. From this inauspicious beginning, Colquitt County has grown to be a leader in agricultural, industrial, military, municipal, educational, historic, and artistic endeavors. Colquitt County continues to be a leader in all aspects of community life, from the early days of logging, naval stores, farming, and livestock production, to modern advances in education, manufacturing, agriculture, and the arts.

Houston was already a dynamic city when it experienced an exciting period of accelerated growth in the 1920s and 1930s. The Roaring Twenties began with a national ban on alcohol and ended abruptly with the stock market crash of 1929, but the prominent and influential Jesse Jones ensured the city's part in the economic collapse was minimal. Despite the country's financial woes, Houston's downtown was booming. Skyscrapers set new records in height, forever changing the skyline and appearance of the city. The introduction and widespread use of air-conditioning tamed the stifling heat and humidity for which Houston was known. The National Democratic Convention of 1928 showed the rest of the nation what a modern metropolis Houston had become. This entertaining new book illustrates how Houstonians lived, worked, and played during both the good times and the bad in the early 1900s.

One historian described Luling in the 1870s as "the toughest town in Texas." Along with the railroad came notorious gamblers who were ready to take a man's hard-earned money any way they could. But when settlers enforced what laws there were and established permanent homes, churches, and a school, the rougher crowd sought greener pastures. In the southern corner of Caldwell County, Luling had at first an agrarian-based economy, but that changed with the discovery of oil, which boosted the population from a few hundred residents to several thousand. The oil industry and related businesses kept the population steady. Luling soil also proved beneficial to crops such as cotton, but the area's prize crop became watermelons. Today oil and watermelons keep Luling on the map, and the annual Watermelon Thump attracts thousands. At the crossroads of three important highways, businesses flourish, especially barbecue, which is considered by some to be the best in the state.

Nestled amongst the sage-covered, windswept hills of California's Eastern Sierra is the site of one of the most notorious mining towns of the Old West. In 1859, gold was discovered in the treeless hills northeast of Mono Lake. By 1879, Bodie was a metropolis of nearly 10,000 souls and was briefly the third-largest city in California. Excitement was short-lived, however, and word soon spread that the mines had reached peak production. An exodus began, but contrary to popular belief, Bodie was never totally abandoned. People continued living in this curious and beautiful place throughout the 1950s, and in 1962, the California State Parks system purchased the town site. Now stabilized against the elements, Bodie is today known as the largest unrestored ghost town in the West.

The University of Denver had existed for less than 30 years when the decision was made to relocate the campus from its original site downtown to a place several miles to the south, a move completed in 1892. The town of South Denver grew up around University Park. At first both a university town and a neighboring suburb of Denver, South Denver was soon annexed into the larger city. In the coming decades, South Denver would establish its own residential and business identities apart from the influence of the University of Denver, known as DU, though it would remain a central character in the shaping and growth of the community. In the 21st century, University Park and South Denver have flourished with beautiful homes, attractive parks, and highly rated schools.

Founded as Fort Dummer in 1724, from its earliest days the town that would become Brattleboro enjoyed beautiful views and a strong spirit. It quickly grew into a home for Vermont industry and pleasure, attracting tourists, traders and innovators from across the region. Former "Brattleboro Reformer" contributor Fran Lynggaard Hansen describes the town's history through highlights from her 'Downstreet' column, including accounts of the 1848 smallpox outbreak, the founding of the Estey Organ Company, the construction of the Harris Ski Jump, the story behind George Crowell's Lindenhurst mansion and the efforts of the dedicated volunteers who launched the first Winter Carnival. Portraying residents at work, at play and in service to one another, she captures the essence of Brattleboro's enduring charm.

In the 50 years following the Civil War, Canton grew from a small farming community to a wealthy industrial city, distributing products worldwide. The city also became a center of political power as lawyer William McKinley rose from U.S. congressman and governor of Ohio to president of the United States. Following McKinley's assassination, the city oversaw the building of his imposing memorial. At the same time, Canton citizens built hospitals, schools, civic buildings, churches, homes, parks, and even one of the state's largest amusement parks. Along the way, the Professional Football League, forerunner of the National Football League, was created. This book features postcards of important Canton sites as well as a chapter dedicated to Myers Lake, the center of recreation in Canton for nearly 100 years.