Roosevelt Homes of the Hudson Valley
Hyde Park and Beyond
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his family may be most remembered for their time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but it was the Hudson Valley they called home. In Manhattan, the president's mother built a townhome on East Sixty-Fifth Street, and Eleanor was born on East Thirty-Seventh. On the banks of the Hudson River, Hyde Park was Franklin's birthplace and where he entertained some of the most important leaders of the twentieth century. Up the Albany Post Road, several homes of family and friends played important moments in history. Laura Delano's Tudor-style house was where FDR met with Churchill, and the beautiful Wilderstein was home to Daisy Suckley, a devoted confidante. In Albany as governor, FDR installed a therapy pool in a converted outdoor greenhouse to assist his physical challenges in the Executive Mansion. Historian Shannon Butler traces the historic homes that shaped the Roosevelt family in the Hudson Valley.
Horne's
The Best Place to Shop After All
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
The Joseph Horne Company, popularly known as Horne's, was a beloved and integral part of Pittsburghers' lives for generations. It was the first department store in the Steel City, staking its ground at the landmark flagship store on Penn Avenue and Stanwix Street. Starting as a small dry goods store, the company expanded into a regional retail powerhouse with a reputation for selling high-quality goods in elegant spaces. Horne's succumbed to the fate of other department stores amid changing consumer habits, and a short-lived stint as a Lazarus store was the final chapter in more than 140 years of history. The community still enjoys the tree on the corner of the former Horne's building, now Highmark, that is lit each year to usher in Pittsburgh's holiday season. Author Letitia Stuart Savage shares the history and memories of Horne's department store.
Asbury Park Reborn
Lost To Time And Restored To Glory
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Asbury Park's diverse array of landmarks creates an unforgettable impression of this legendary seaside city. They tell the story of its past, present and even future. The elegant, Art Deco-inspired Convention Hall captures the resort's glittering heyday in the 1920s and '30s, while structures like the Upstage seem to echo with the voices of aspiring musicians like Bruce Springsteen when they played at intimate venues, defining Asbury's world-renowned music scene. As the city forges ahead with ambitious redevelopment plans, many neglected buildings have been rehabilitated, but others continue to deteriorate, despite a groundswell of public opposition. From opulent movie houses to down-and-dirty rock-and-roll clubs, these landmarks trace the evolution of Asbury Park from a tiny nineteenth-century resort town to the world-famous playground of today.
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Visit a Louisiana landmark that tells a big piece of the American story.
Fort Jesup was founded two centuries ago, a bulwark on the youthful nation's western frontier. During its long run as a military post, it was visited by over one thousand soldiers and officers, many of whom would make a lasting impact on American history. The long list of luminaries includes Presidents Zachary Taylor and Ulysses S. Grant, over forty officers who would become Civil War generals, and two Surgeons General, one of whom would treat Abraham Lincoln after he was shot. Thousands of settlers also passed through on their way to Texas, using the fort as a waypoint on their journey. As citadel and stopping post, Fort Jesup played a critical role during the nation's formative years. Author Scott DeBose shares the sprawling story of this Louisiana icon.
Racine's Horlick Athletic Field
Drums Along The Foundries
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Launched in 1919 by William Horlick, the inventor of malted milk, Horlick Athletic Field has hosted two NFL teams, the Racine Belles professional women's baseball team (immortalized in "A League of Their Own)" and thousands of semiprofessional- and industrial-league games. But it is the drum and bugle corps shows that have made the stadium one of the most iconic landmarks in its corner of the state. From an archive of fond recollection and painstaking record, Alan Karls has pieced together a history of Horlick Athletic Field that justifies the reverence that drum and bugle corps have felt for the place for almost a century.
Montgomery's Civil Heritage Trail
A History & Guide
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Montgomery's cultural heritage reflects two of America's most transformative struggles: the Civil War and the civil rights movement. On February 18, 1861, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president of the Confederate States of America on the Alabama Capitol steps. Those same steps marked the final destination of the Selma-Montgomery voting rights march on March 25, 1965. The telegram to fire on Fort Sumter originated from the Winter Building on Court Square on April 11, 1861. Just down the street, and a century later, Mrs. Rosa L. Parks refused to give up her seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Discover these compelling stories and more surrounding the historical landmarks along Montgomery's Civil Heritage Trail.
Shockoe Hill Cemetery
A Richmond Landmark History
by Alyson L. Taylor-White
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Established in 1822, Shockoe Hill Cemetery is the final resting place for many famous and infamous icons of Richmond. Most visited is the tomb of Chief Justice John Marshall, the longest-serving chief justice of the United States, who elevated the Supreme Court to equal standing with the executive and legislative branches of the federal government. Union spy Elizabeth Van Lew operated an extensive espionage ring during the Civil War, and though reviled in life by many who resented her activism, she rests prominently near her elite neighbors. The burial places of friends and foster family offer a glimpse into Edgar Allan Poe's personal story. Author Alyson Lindsey Taylor-White charts the history of the celebrated cemetery and brings to life the stories of those buried there.
Historic Milwaukee Public Schoolhouses
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
It's no surprise we feel a connection to our schools, where we learn to read, write and forge social bonds of all kinds. They are potentially the scenes of our first crushes (and the second and third). They are where we learn to create ourselves. For more than a century, Milwaukee has taken its schoolhouses seriously, and it has a matchless variety of gorgeous landmarks to prove it. Robert Tanzilo pays homage to some long-lost schools, salutes some veteran survivors and examines the roles they play in their neighborhoods. Learn a little about some remarkable Milwaukee architects and see what the future may hold for some of the city's most beloved old buildings.
Historic Theaters of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
From the days of the gaslit opera houses through the era of the drive-in, the Mahoning Valley's theatrical culture has thrived. The finest theaters in northeastern Ohio rose with the manufacturing might of the Steel Valley. The Warner brothers, who started their careers in Youngstown, opened their first theater in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and celebrities from Katharine Hepburn to Red Skelton graced local stages. The finest vaudevillians and the lovely ladies of burlesque were always a ticket away. Take a trip back to the Park Burlesque and the opulent Palace Theater and revisit the theater culture of Warren and Trumbull County. Author Sean T. Posey traces the evolution of modern cinema through the rich local history of the Mahoning Valley.
New York's Original Penn Station
The Rise and Tragic Fall of an American Landmark
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In early twentieth-century New York, few could have imagined a train terminal as grandiose as Pennsylvania Station. Yet, executives at the Pennsylvania Railroad secretly bought up land in Manhattan's infamous Tenderloin District to build one of the world's most spectacular monuments. Sandhogs would battle the fiercest of nature to build tunnels linking Manhattan to New Jersey and Long Island. For decades, Penn Station was a center of elegance and pride. But the ensuing rise of the airplane and automobile began to diminish train travel. Consequently, in the mid-1960s, the station was tragically destroyed. The loss inspired the birth of preservation laws in the city and the nation that would save other landmarks like Grand Central. Author Paul Kaplan recounts the trials and triumphs of New York's Penn Station.
Schuster's & Gimbels
Milwaukee's Beloved Department Stores
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
A nostalgic journey into the life of these Wisconsin shopping meccas-including photos and illustrations.
For well over a century, Milwaukee shoppers have had Gimbels or Schuster's in their lives. Even if they didn't crave sewing notions or prize-winning apple pies, they were watching holiday parades wind by, tuning in for Billie the Brownie's radio updates, or losing themselves in front of one of the department stores' fabulous window displays. Not only were they magical places to shop but also wonderful places to work, creating the kind of community where a kid might come in to help out with the Christmas rush and stay for twenty-five years. Enjoy this loving trip through the history of these beloved stores, from their arrival in Milwaukee in the 1880s through the 1962 merger and beyond.
The South Carolina State Hospital
Stories from Bull Street
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Nearly two decades after it closed, the South Carolina State Hospital continues to hold a palpable mystique in Columbia and throughout the state. Founded in 1821 as the South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, it housed, fed and treated thousands of patients incapable of surviving on their own. The patient population in 1961 eclipsed 6,600, well above its listed capacity of 4,823, despite an operating budget that ranked forty-fifth out of the forty-eight states with such large public hospitals. By the mid-1990s, the patient population had fallen under 700, and the hospital had become a symbol of captivity, horror and chaos. Author William Buchheit details this history through the words and interviews of those who worked on the iconic campus.
Historic Texas Gyms
A Tribute to Vanishing Traditions
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
For generations of small-town Texans, the school gymnasium was the hub of the community. If it was a Tuesday night in Texline, most folks could be found in the old tin barn of a gym, rooting for their Tornadoes against the arch-rival Adrian Matadors. Transcending the role of a sports arena, the gym also provided a place to gather in celebration or shelter in crisis. Sadly, with the dramatic reduction of school districts around the state, many of the polished floorboards that once hosted graduations and beauty pageants now splinter beneath the weight of storage, farm equipment and guano-covered junk. From the pickup basketball game Elvis played in Hawkins to the tragic account of four Ennis war heroes, Jackie McBroom recounts stories from these beloved halls.
Lost Department Stores of San Francisco
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In the late nineteenth century, San Francisco's merchant princes built grand stores for a booming city, each with its own niche. For the eager clientele, a trip downtown meant dressing up--hats, gloves and stockings required--and going to Blum's for Coffee Crunch cake or Townsend's for creamed spinach. The I. Magnin empire catered to a selective upper-class clientele, while middle-class shoppers loved the Emporium department store with its Bargain Basement and Santa for the kids. Gump's defined good taste, the City of Paris satisfied desires for anything French and edgy, youth-oriented Joseph Magnin ensnared the younger shoppers with the latest trends. Join author Anne Evers Hitz as she looks back at the colorful personalities that created six major stores and defined shopping in San Francisco.
Montpelier Transformed
A Monument to James Madison and its Enslaved Community
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
"By the late 20th century, Montpelier, the home of James and Dolley Madison, had been altered until it would no longer have been recognizable to the couple.
In 2000 the newly-created Montpelier Foundation took over management of the historic home with the seemingly insurmountable task of restoring it to be a visual record of the Madisons' era. Within ten years, the Foundation overcame numerous hurdles, turning Montpelier into a monument to the Father of the Constitution. Over the next decade the site also became a monument to Montpelier's enslaved. The buildings in their community next to the Madisons' home were reconstructed, and award-winning exhibits dramatically illustrate the tragedy of slavery and essential role of enslaved people in Madison's life.
Foundation co-founder William H. Lewis details the nonprofit's ambitious preservation projects and remarkable achievements."
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Visit a Louisiana landmark that tells a big piece of the American story.
Fort Jesup was founded two centuries ago, a bulwark on the youthful nation's western frontier. During its long run as a military post, it was visited by over one thousand soldiers and officers, many of whom would make a lasting impact on American history. The long list of luminaries includes Presidents Zachary Taylor and Ulysses S. Grant, over forty officers who would become Civil War generals, and two Surgeons General, one of whom would treat Abraham Lincoln after he was shot. Thousands of settlers also passed through on their way to Texas, using the fort as a waypoint on their journey. As citadel and stopping post, Fort Jesup played a critical role during the nation's formative years. Author Scott DeBose shares the sprawling story of this Louisiana icon.
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In the nineteenth century, Commodore David Porter built his mansion on a prominent hill sitting directly north of the White House, and the rest of Meridian Hill's history is indelibly tied to the fabric of Washington. John Quincy Adams once resided in Porter's mansion. Union troops used the estate and its lands during the Civil War. Later, part of the old estate was famously developed by Mary Henderson into a noted group of embassy mansions, and the extraordinary Meridian Hill Park was created. The rest of the land became a diverse, thriving residential neighborhood. Join local author Stephen McKevitt as he chronicles the fascinating story of this interesting urban locale in the nation's capital.
Mansfield Plantation
A Legacy On The Black River
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Standing on the banks of the Black River, Mansfield Plantation is a living testament to antebellum rice plantations. In 1718, it started as a five-hundred-acre land grant near the upstart village of Georgetown. The main house was built around 1800, and the plantation soon grew to nearly one thousand acres. John and Sallie Middleton Parker returned the property to the Man-Taylor-Lance-Parker family, a line of ownership dating back 150 years. Ongoing preservation projects ensure that future generations can explore and appreciate one of the most well-preserved rice plantations in America. Plantation historian Christopher C. Boyle captures the spirit of Mansfield Plantation and unravels the many mysteries of its past.
Santaland
A Miller & Rhoads Christmas
by Donna Strother Deekens
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
When Santa and his helpers the Snow Queen and the Mischievous Little Elf are blown topsy-turvy in a Virginia blizzard, they land on the roof of Richmond's Miller & Rhoads. Surprised to discover such a grand store with no decorations for Christmas, the friends try to solve the mystery. Join Santa and his team as they search the Tea Room, a fantastic toy department and the Virginia Pantry for signs of the Christmas spirit. Santa soon finds that at Miller & Rhoads, friendship and a little magic bring Santaland to life if only you believe.
The Story of Waterloo Village: From Colonial Forge to Canal Town
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
First established in the 1700s as a forge village, Waterloo--located in Sussex County, New Jersey--has endured several eras of decline and growth. An industrial hub and farming community, it played a role in the American Revolution. When the canal arrived, Waterloo reinvented itself into a vital transportation link that helped foster the new nation's first Industrial Revolution. The peacefulness of the canal belies the complex engineering required to integrate it into the village's footprint. Today, beautifully preserved colonial-era buildings complement pre-Civil War structures, Victorian mansions and twentieth-century edifices. Local author John Giles illuminates the constant ebb and flow of the history of Waterloo Village.
Miles Minor Kellogg and the Encinitas Boathouses
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Built in 1929, the Boathouses of Encinitas have captured the attention of locals and tourists alike for decades. Their architect, Miles Minor Kellogg, shared the creative flair and religious fervor of his distant cousin Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and had a passion for invention, music and poetry. A talented carpenter, Miles built his first house at seventeen and worked his way cross-country until settling with his family in the growing town of Encinitas. His construction company, Kellogg and Son, helped transform the landscape, and the unique bungalows were the culmination of his dream to build a boat. Join author Rachel Brupbacher as she traces the steps of her ancestor and one of San Diego County's most innovative architects.
San Diego's Sunset Cliffs Park
A History
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Sunset Cliffs Park meanders along a mile and a half of San Diego's coastline, beckoning tourists and locals alike. These stunning cliffs inspired Albert Spalding, sportsman and visionary, to create a park in 1915 for all to enjoy. In the century since, many have left their mark, including the powerful Pacific Ocean. John Mills, an enterprising land baron, restored the original park, only to have it fall into neglect during the Depression and World War II. It became a popular spot for pioneering surfers and divers in the postwar boom, and the park's colorful landscape attracted artists and children. Join author Kathy Blavatt as she relates the many transformations of this beloved park and looks to its future.
Miles Minor Kellogg and the Encinitas Boathouses
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Built in 1929, the Boathouses of Encinitas have captured the attention of locals and tourists alike for decades. Their architect, Miles Minor Kellogg, shared the creative flair and religious fervor of his distant cousin Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and had a passion for invention, music and poetry. A talented carpenter, Miles built his first house at seventeen and worked his way cross-country until settling with his family in the growing town of Encinitas. His construction company, Kellogg and Son, helped transform the landscape, and the unique bungalows were the culmination of his dream to build a boat. Join author Rachel Brupbacher as she traces the steps of her ancestor and one of San Diego County's most innovative architects.
Wyoming's Friendly Skies
Training America's First Stewardesses
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Boeing Air Transport, a precursor of United Air Lines, began carrying passengers in 1927 on small, uncomfortable airplanes with few amenities. Steve Stimpson, manager of Boeing's San Francisco office, considered hiring stewards to alleviate passengers' concerns. Ellen Church convinced him that employing women, especially nurses, as stewardesses would be a visionary solution. Eight brave young women entered Boeing's brief training program in Cheyenne in May 1930, making them the first airline stewardesses in the world. In 1947, United Air Lines established its Stewardess Training Center in Cheyenne, operating for nearly two decades. Authors Starley Talbott and Michael Kassel celebrate the world's first stewardesses, as well as the thousands who followed in their footsteps.
Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Bridgewater
A Troubled Past
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Once known as MCI-Bridgewater and earlier as the Massachusetts State Farm, the Bridgewater Correctional Complex opened in 1854. It was one of several progressive charitable institutions the state created as a model for communities around the world. However, deteriorating conditions for its residents shadowed Bridgewater's evolution from an almshouse to a prison and hospital for the criminally insane. A century later, it was among the nation's most notorious asylums. Historian Michael J. Maddigan offers a riveting examination of this infamous history, including the inspiration for state-sponsored welfare, moral and legal challenges and the experiences of the people who lived and worked there.
One-Room Schoolhouses of New Hampshire
Primers, Penmanship & Potbelly Stoves
by Dr. Bruce D. Heald, Ph. D.
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
The quaint one-room schoolhouses dotting New Hampshire formed the backbone of the early Granite State education system. Education-minded communities began building these bare-bones schools in the late seventeenth century. In a modest log or clapboard structure, a single teacher faced the challenge of instructing students of all grades through farming seasons and the daily rigors of rural life. Often, these determined educators were limited to instructing students from whichever books pupils brought from home. Despite this, education was highly valued, and students trekked through the weather of all seasons and endured corporal discipline to become literate and learned. Author Bruce Heald explores the evolution of New Hampshire's one-room schoolhouses and shares the firsthand accounts and memories of former pupils.
A History of the West Virginia Capitol: The House of State
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Even though the West Virginia Capitol deviated from the design of legendary architect Cass Gilbert, the iconic building is still considered a masterpiece. The full story of the Capitol is filled with twists and turns, from the fortunate fire that burned its predecessor to the tug of war between Wheeling and Charleston for the designation of state capital. Revisit the to-gild-or-not-to-gild debate that raged around the construction of the Capitol's signature crown, which once was in danger of collapsing on itself or toppling in heavy winds. Join Charleston author Jim Wallace for this captivating account of West Virginia's architectural jewel.
Chattanooga Landmarks
Exploring the History of the Scenic City
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Chattanooga's history and heritage are embodied in the historical sites, structures and groundbreaking feats of engineering that have defined the city from its beginning. Many of the Scenic City's most important landmarks are still preserved. Yet with so many fascinating historic sites and storied destinations, seeing them all is no easy task. Fortunately, Chattanooga Landmarks offers a helpful survey of the most historically significant sites in the city and the surrounding area. Join Chattanooga local Jennifer Crutchfield as she guides you through the city's historic wonders, both natural and man-made. From the top of Lookout Mountain down to the banks of the Tennessee River and through downtown, Chattanooga Landmarks covers the breadth of the historic sites that make this Tennessee city a landmark all its own.
Under the Clock
The Story of Miller & Rhoads
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Under the Clock tells the story of Miller & Rhoads, from its incarnation as a little dry goods store in 1885 through more than a century as a beloved Richmond landmark. Earle Dunford, longtime city editor for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and George Bryson, a Miller & Rhoads veteran for thirty-nine years, usher us behind the scenes at the famous department store, sharing anecdotes they have collected from the many devoted shoppers and loyal employees who remember the good old days at Miller & Rhoads. Meet them "under the clock" to read about the famous Tea Room, Book and Author Dinners, fashion shows, Sara Sue hats, Christmastime with Santa Claus and countless other memories of a bygone era in shopping.
Toledo's Three Ls
Lamson's, Lion Store and Lasalle's
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Remember the days when shopping meant white gloves, suits for men and leisurely lunches in tearooms? Toledo, an industrial powerhouse and Ohio's third-largest city, once had it all, and Lamson's, the Lion Store and Lasalle's were where it all happened. Reminisce with author Bruce Allen Kopytek about a time when these three great department stores dominated Toledo's retail scene and offered their customers anything they could want. Revisit their downtown competitors like Tiedtke's, B.R. Baker, Milner's and Stein's, which also added their own touch to Toledo's life. Through written history, photographs and personal recollections a lost era comes to light--an era when business was personal and local and shopping was more of a cherished event rather than a chore.
Christmas at Miller & Rhoads
Memoirs of a Snow Queen
by Donna Strother Deekens
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
The Christmas season is a time for traditions, and in Richmond, one particular custom reigned supreme: a family outing to Miller & Rhoads department store. There, thousands of smiling faces would be waiting to enter the kingdom of Santaland- an enchanted world marked by glittering snow and intricate train displays. From visits to area hospitals to a young man who demanded only a box of raisins, former Snow Queen Donna Strother Deekens shares her touching and humorous holiday memories from her twenty years in the gown. Kids from one to ninety-two will enjoy reminiscing with characters like the elves, Bruce the Spruce and, of course, Miller & Rhoads's legendary 'real Santa.' Discover behind-the-scenes drama and learn firsthand what it was like to partake in this unforgettable event.
Austin's Flower Hill Legacy
A Remarkable Family & a Sixth Street Wildscape
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
For nearly a century and a half, the Smoot family "cooperated with nature" to create the vibrant Texas wildscape of the Flower Hill Estate on West Sixth Street. But the generosity of spirit that cultivated that sanctuary extends beyond the iron fence surrounding the property. Institutions like the Central Presbyterian Church, the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the Austin American-Statesman, the Texas state capitol, The University of Texas and Travis and Austin High Schools all owe an incalculable debt to Flower Hill residents. Author Rosa Latimer traces the positive legacy of Flower Hill and the influential Austin family who lived there.
Shop Pomeroy's First
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
For over one hundred years, Pomeroy's was a beloved household name for the shoppers of central and eastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1876, the store began under another name in Reading and soon expanded to Harrisburg, Pottsville and Wilkes-Barre. George Pomeroy bought out his partners in 1923, and Pomeroy's became known for its exemplary service and a devoted sales force. From the extraordinary window displays and the annual Christmas parade to a bite at the Tea Room, the stores were a social hub where sweethearts first met and families did their Saturday shopping. Though the final stores closed in 1990, the memories live on. Department store historian Michael Lisicky chronicles the history of Pomeroy's and takes readers back in time with reminiscences of former employees, interviews with store insiders and a selection of classic recipes.
Columbus Neighborhoods
A Guide to the Landmarks of Franklinton, German Village, King-Lincoln, Olde Town East, Short North a
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Discover the stories behind Columbus neighborhoods and their landmarks. The community centers that locals call home aren't just points of interest but places that have shaped history beyond their communities and even Ohio. This encyclopedia of Columbus neighborhoods gives voice to the rich heritage residing in the bell towers, parks and streetscapes of Franklinton, German Village, King-Lincoln, Olde Town East, Short North and the University District. Along with WOSU's award-winning Columbus Neighborhoods series, Tom Betti, Doreen Uhas Sauer and Ed Lentz curate the stories tracing the lines from your neighborhood to the Manhattan Project, the Underground Railroad, Abraham Lincoln and the Tuskegee Airmen.
Virginia State Penitentiary
A Notorious History
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Thomas Jefferson developed the idea for the Virginia State Penitentiary and set the standard for the future of the American prison system. Designed by U.S. Capitol and White House architect Benjamin Latrobe, the Pen opened its doors in 1800. Vice President Aaron Burr was incarcerated there in 1807 as he awaited trial for treason. The prison endured severe overcrowding, three fires, an earthquake and numerous riots. More than 240 prisoners were executed there by electric chair. At one time, the ACLU called it the most shameful prison in America. The institution was plagued by racial injustice, eugenics experiments and the presence of children imprisoned among adults. Join author Dale Brumfield as he charts the 190-year history of the iconic prison.
Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp
A History of Art in Nature
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In 1914, Charlotte Perry and Portia Mansfield envisioned a secluded institution nestled in the mountains, where art and nature could intersect. By the 1920s, their remote Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp in Steamboat Springs was serving as a hub for top dancers such as José Limon and Harriette Ann Gray to hone their craft. In addition to training thousands of pointed toes and arched feet, the school showcased equestrian jumping and performed plays by masters, including Shakespeare, García Lorca and Tennessee Williams. The theater program eventually attracted budding actors like Julie Harris, Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Biel. Author Dagny McKinley presents the story of America's longest continuously running performing arts camp.
The Denver Dry Goods
Where Colorado Shopped with Confidence
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Over the course of eleven decades, The Denver Dry Goods and its predecessor, McNamara Dry Goods, proudly served Coloradoans, who knew they could "shop with confidence" for the best quality at the fairest prices. Much more than the goods it sold, the store was a major institution that touched the lives of nearly every Denverite. Comforting culinary traditions like Chicken à la King in the vast fifth-floor tearoom and breakfast with Santa delighted locals. Festive chandeliers adorned the four-hundred-foot-long main aisle during the holidays, and longtime salesclerks knew customers by name. Devoted patrons dearly missed all that charm after the doors closed in 1987. Mark Barnhouse explores the fascinating history and cherished memories of Denver's most beloved department store.
San Francisco's St. Cecilia Parish
A History
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Originally housed in a two-story home and then in an old converted schoolhouse along Taraval Street in 1917, San Francisco's St. Cecilia Church today stands as a cultural pillar and architectural gem of the Parkside District. The parish continually grew to meet the demands of its members, despite the hardships brought on by events like the Great Depression and both world wars. Through years of expansions, new construction and additions, the parish remains an active gathering place for thousands of people. Local author Frank Dunnigan utilizes community remembrances and photos from dozens of different sources to tell the story of a vibrant parish that continues to live up to its motto: 'The Finest, the Greatest and the Best.'
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Fort Adams has a rich and illustrious history as defender of Narragansett Bay. On the shores of Newport, Rhode Island, the fort was named for the nation's second president, John Adams. Humbly beginning as an earthwork in 1776, it remained an active fort until its permanent closure in 1950. Fort Adams stood guard during the American Revolutionary War, Mexican-American War, Civil War and Spanish-American War, as well as World Wars I and II. Now a state park, Fort Adams is fully restored to its former glory of days past. Authors John T. Duchesneau and Kathleen Troost-Cramer explore the history of the most notable commanding officers of the fort, the changing role of women within the Fort Adams community and the legacy left behind by the families who called the fort home.
The LSU Rural Life Museum And Windrush Gardens
A Living History
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In 1861, Louisiana settler William S. Pike established an incredible five-hundred-acre plantation seven miles from the heart of present-day Baton Rouge. His progeny continued to cherish the land for generations, all while pursuing unique and active lives. William Stephen Pike Burden Jr. became an amateur magician, and Ollie Brice Steele Burden, inspired by the formal gardens of Europe, designed Windrush Gardens. Today, the land is home to Louisiana State University's Rural Life Museum and houses rare collections of Louisiana folk life and working plantation materials. In this comprehensive history of LSU's beloved landmark, archivist Faye Phillips brings to life the hardships and toils, vision and determination of families in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Louisiana.
Racine's Horlick Athletic Field
Drums Along the Foundries
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Launched in 1919 by William Horlick, the inventor of malted milk, Horlick Athletic Field has hosted two NFL teams, the Racine Belles professional women's baseball team (immortalized in "A League of Their Own)" and thousands of semiprofessional- and industrial-league games. But it is the drum and bugle corps shows that have made the stadium one of the most iconic landmarks in its corner of the state. From an archive of fond recollection and painstaking record, Alan Karls has pieced together a history of Horlick Athletic Field that justifies the reverence that drum and bugle corps have felt for the place for almost a century.
The Saco Drive-In
Cinema Under the Maine Sky
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Families, teenagers, friends and sweethearts piled in their cars and filled the lot of Maine's first drive-in on opening night in 1939. A newsreel and cartoon rolled before the feature presentation, "Forbidden Music," cast the first outdoor movie spell over the town of Saco. Families came for the fresh-air movie experience, while visitors in the 1950s and '60s enjoyed the dimly lit privacy. The community rallied to save the Saco Drive-In in 2013, voting to fund the transition to digital projection. Now, families and couples of the future can continue to enjoy cinema under the Maine sky. Join local author Camille Smalley as she recounts the history, films and memories of the Saco Drive-In.
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
In the nineteenth century, Commodore David Porter built his mansion on a prominent hill sitting directly north of the White House, and the rest of Meridian Hill's history is indelibly tied to the fabric of Washington. John Quincy Adams once resided in Porter's mansion. Union troops used the estate and its lands during the Civil War. Later, part of the old estate was famously developed by Mary Henderson into a noted group of embassy mansions, and the extraordinary Meridian Hill Park was created. The rest of the land became a diverse, thriving residential neighborhood. Join local author Stephen McKevitt as he chronicles the fascinating story of this interesting urban locale in the nation's capital.
Gunfights & Sites in Texas Ranger History
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Since colonizer Stephen F. Austin proposed hiring ten rangers "for the common defense" in 1823, the Texas Rangers have protected the Lone Star State from its enemies with dedication and fortitude. All across Texas are places where Rangers made history. From the Alamo to nearly forgotten graves and battle sites, important landmarks in the story of these legendary lawmen lie in every corner of the state. Historian and author Mike Cox reveals history hiding in plain sight and true tall tales of the world-famous Texas Rangers.
A History of the West Virginia Capitol
The House of State
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Even though the West Virginia Capitol deviated from the design of legendary architect Cass Gilbert, the iconic building is still considered a masterpiece. The full story of the Capitol is filled with twists and turns, from the fortunate fire that burned its predecessor to the tug of war between Wheeling and Charleston for the designation of state capital. Revisit the to-gild-or-not-to-gild debate that raged around the construction of the Capitol's signature crown, which once was in danger of collapsing on itself or toppling in heavy winds. Join Charleston author Jim Wallace for this captivating account of West Virginia's architectural jewel.
A Theatre History of Marion, Ohio: John Eberson's Palace & Beyond
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
One of the last remaining atmospheric theatres in the nation, elegant Marion Palace Theatre holds a storied history behind its curtains. From the "Wigwam," the Grand Opera House and Germania Park Pavilion to nickelodeons, vaudeville houses and movie theatres, performance has been an essential part of Marion's history, and the Palace is the city's jewel. Designed by renowned theatre architect John Eberson, the Palace opened its doors in 1928 to packed audiences of over three thousand patrons. Author Scott L. Hoffman delves into the life and work of John Eberson and the forgotten stories of the Palace that include a police gambling raid, the construction of the theatre and the stars who performed for dazzled audiences there.
Woburn High School
History, Pride, Tradition
by Susan Ann Bruno Thifault
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Woburn High School has instilled the importance of education in generations of students for over 160 years. The school opened its doors in 1852 with thirty-four students in a leased room at the Knight Building on Main Street. Increasing enrollment and curriculum requirements necessitated the building of a larger school on Main Street in 1854 and again in 1906 at the Dow Farm property on Montvale Avenue. Woburn's reputation as a leading leather manufacturer during the Civil War inspired the Tanner nickname, bull mascot and school motto: 'Tanner Pride.' With the leadership of thirteen principals throughout its history, over thirty-two thousand students have graduated from this school. Today, more than half the faculty are returning alumni, and generations of Woburn families continue to send their children to this school. Join author Susan Thifault as she explores a history of pride and tradition at Woburn High School.
Gainesville Punk
A History of Bands & Music
Part of the Landmarks (Arcadia Publishing) series
Known for The Fest, Less Than Jake, and Hot Water Music, Gainesville became a creative hub in the 1980s and '90s for many of punk rock's greats. Whether playing at the Hardback or wild house parties, earnest acts like Against Me!, Spoke and Roach Motel all emerged and thrived in the small northern Florida city. Radon burst onto the scene with chaotic energy while Mutley Chix helped inspire local torchbearers No Idea Records. Through this succinct history, author Matt Walker traces each successive generation's contributions and amplifies the fidelity of the Gainesville scene.