New York’s Original Penn Station, New York, Landmarks, Paperback

New York’s Original Penn Station, New York, Landmarks, Paperback In early twentieth-century New York, few could have imagined a train terminal as grandiose as Pennsylvania Station.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. By 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.

Hidden History of Arlington County, Virginia, Hidden History, Paperback

Hidden History of Arlington County, Virginia, Hidden History, Paperback For over two centuries, Arlington County has been a steadfast center for government institutions and a vibrant part of the Washington, D.C., community.Many notable figures made their home in the area, like Supreme Court chief justice Warren Burger, General George “Blood ‘n’ Guts” Patton and a beauty queen who almost married crooner Dean Martin. The drama of Virginia’s first school integration unfolded in Arlington beginning in the late 1950s. In the 1960s, two motorcycle gangs clashed in public at a suburban shopping center. Local author, historian and “Our Man in Arlington” Charlie Clark uncovers the vivid, and hidden, history of a capital community.

Butler County

Butler County Butler County, located in the south-central part of the state, was the commonwealth’s 53rd county. Settlers moving into the area thought they had found “a little bit of heaven”–a virgin forest of oak, poplar, chestnut, hickory, and walnut and an abundance of wild game. Out of this wilderness developed a county rich in tradition, with many contributions to state and national history. It has been said that, for its population, the county has produced more notable people than any other in the nation. This list including two governors, an attorney general of Kentucky, a chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, a US senator, three US representatives, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, two US Navy admirals, a Methodist bishop, and countless other equally productive citizens who proudly call Butler County home.

Lost Restaurants of Greenville

Lost Restaurants of Greenville Today, visitors and locals in Greenville enjoy a vibrant, diverse and acclaimed culinary scene. Some will remember recent favorites like the American Grocery Restaurant that helped pioneer the farm-to-table movement. Others will remember longtime favorites like Carpenter Bros. Drug Store, Charlie’s Steak House and Gene’s Restaurant that were around for three or four generations. Few in the second half of the twentieth century would not have dined at one of Vince Perone’s restaurants for some occasion. Author and tour guide John Nolan recalls the fond memories of the owners and their cuisines, with recipes included.

Pullman, Illinois, Landmarks, Paperback

Pullman, Illinois, Landmarks, Paperback George Pullman’s legacy lies in the town that bears his name. As one of the first thoroughly planned model industrial communities, it was designed to give the comforts of a permanent home to the employees who built America’s most elegant form of overnight railroad travel. But the town was more than just a residential wing of sleeper car manufacturing; its 1894 railroad strike led to the national Labor Day holiday. In the early twentieth century, the Pullman Company became the country’s largest employer of African Americans, who then formed the nation’s first successful Black labor union. Author Kenneth Schoon revisits Pullman’s monumental history and the lessons it continues to provide.

Ohio Tiki, Ohio, Paperback

Ohio Tiki, Ohio, Paperback Hula girls, palm trees and Tiki gods beckoned Ohioans of the 1950s and ’60s as tropical hot spots sprang up in suburban neighborhoods and concrete jungles alike.The Kon Tiki restaurants of Cleveland and Cincinnati slung rum cocktails to patrons eager for escape to a South Seas paradise. Visitors to the famed Kahiki Supper Club of Columbus, the Tropics in Dayton and Toledo’s Aku-Aku could spot celebrities swaying to the exotic sounds of steel guitars and native percussion. Venturing a step beyond restaurants and bars, others decked out theaters, bowling alleys and even a McDonald’s in sultry island décor. Join author and Tiki veteran Jeff Chenault on an excursion into a bygone era when the South Pacific came to Ohio.

Pirates & Smugglers of the Treasure Coast, Florida, Paperback

Pirates & Smugglers of the Treasure Coast, Florida, Paperback For hundreds of years, colorful characters and criminals used the myriad coves and inlets along the Treasure Coast for illicit commerce. From the early days of privateer Henry Jennings to the notorious Prohibition exploits of the Ashley Gang, these sandy shores have been a refuge for those looking to trade on the dark side of the law. Legendary tales of Don Pedro Gibert, Spanish Marie and Al Capone all contribute to the lore of a region that is home to buried treasure and family crime empires. Join historians Patrick and Patricia Mesmer on a journey through the Sunshine State’s shadowy past.