Elgin was named by a city founder, James T. Gifford, after his favorite hymn. The city shares its name with 20 cities in 15 states and 8 countries. Elgin is situated on the banks of the Fox River, 35 miles
northwest of Chicago, the city with which Elgin had thriving business exchanges in agricultural and industrial goods. The city's world-wide fame, for the most part, has come from its watch factory and Mr. Gail Borden's milk company. Pianos, shoes, books, and even chewing gum were also manufactured in Elgin and sold internationally. This exciting new study of a major Midwestern city is...

First discovered by the American tourist in the mid-1800s, Orlando and the surrounding towns soon began to feel the impact of the newcomers, their wealth, ideas, and lifestyles. Extending pleasant winter vacations to year-round residences, these new inhabitants were drawn by the warm climate and the attractions offered in the burgeoning Central Florida region. Along with the hardy pioneers who had carved their home out of the Florida wilderness, they began to build a thriving community in Orange County. In this pictorial retrospective, over 200 historic images trace the county's improving...

Since the late 1800s, Chicago has been a mecca for aviation. Chicago's Octave Chanute kept the skies filled with revolutionary gliders and his expertise in aeronautics contributed to the Wright Brothers' success. Chicago: City of Flight tells the story of aviation in the city with exciting chapters on early "birdmen," the birth of Chicago as a major airmail center, the spectacular chills and thrills of international airports and airplane manufacturers, and airlines, such as United Airlines, that were born in the city. Later topics include the city's modern aerospace industry and an exclusive...

Chicago has historically been a place of great energy and a showcase of modernity. Determined to wash away the recent memories of World War I, Chicagoans in the 1920s and into the 1930s set out to enjoy themselves, creating a Golden Age of popular entertainment envied throughout the world. Chicago Entertainment Between the Wars, 1919-1939 explores in detail the various old and new playing fields of entertainment that blossomed during this time period, such as dance halls, radio studios, rodeos, theaters, public mechanical musical machines, and movie palaces.

The history of Aurora, Illinois is one of diversity.
This is the first book to trace the city's early days
of its first white settlement through World War I and
the early 1920s, as seen through the eyes of its diverse ethnic groups. Immigrants from northern, southern, and eastern Europe, southern Blacks, and Mexicans all came to provide their talents to the massive railroad industry and the dozens of factories in the city, which were producing various products to be used by the entire nation and as well as in the construction of the Panama Canal.

St. Charles has long been a recreational delight for its citizens and a popular destination for visitors. The area played a significant role in the Civil War; it was the site of active abolitionist and underground railroad movements, and Camp Kane served as a training ground for Union soldiers. This new addition to the Images of America series showcases in historic photographs the people and events that helped to shape the St. Charles of today. Beginning in the 1830s with founders and early entrepreneurs Minard, Ferson, and Hunt, this visual tour explores the city's progress through the...