Images of America: Hancock
Images of America: Hancock
by John S. Haeussler
Arcadia Publishing • ISBN: 978-1-4671-12352 • $21.99 Softcover
The “Images of America” series is a wonderful collection for families with ties to the local area, but it’s also fun for tourists and historians.
In the Hancock book, we get a glimpse of an area that was a true frontier landscape, where mining was just as intense as in the gold fields out west.
This is the story of mining and a town, of fires, strikes and changing times, with some particular gems like the Ringling Brothers elephants going down Quincy and the inside of the harness and buggy shop. My favorite image is the Mitchell’s Furniture Store, chairs hanging from the ceiling. You can find vehicles from across the decades and a changing array of storefronts, but the most fun for me were the recreational photos, seeing the simple joys of the outdoors and exercise. – Mike Link
Twin Ports by Trolley
Twin Ports by Trolley
by Aaron Isaacs
University of Minnesota Press • ISBN: 978-0-8166-7308-7 • $39.95 Hardcover
Who knew trolleys could be so interesting? This complete history examines the routes, vehicles and challenges of a bygone era. Even those who aren’t trolley buffs will enjoy the historic photos, such as the snowy and seemingly wild landscape that passes in front of the Northland Country Club.
You will see mules, buses, trolley cars, tracks and support buildings and catch glimpses of our fascinating past: amusement parks on Park Point, trolleys as hearses, trolleys carrying firefighters.
There are stories of strikes and a story of customers taking over a trolley to force the company to send another car. We learn about Halloween pranks, rails across the ice, the Incline Railway and even robberies as we find our way through the neighborhoods of the Twin Ports. – ML
Death at the Lighthouse
Death at the Lighthouse: A Grand Island Riddle
by Loren Graham
Arbutus Press • ISBN: 978-1-933926-52-0 • $25.95 Hardcover
What would you do if you discovered a newspaper clipping in your new home that reported on the murder of the 1908 residents? If you’re Loren Graham and your new home is the Grand Island Lighthouse, you spend 30 years unraveling the mystery and the history surrounding the deaths of a lightkeeper and his assistant.
Loren tries to set the stage fully, presenting the personalities and politics (sometimes messy) in the turn-of-the-century Upper Peninsula. A good tale for a cold night. – Konnie LeMay
The books reviewed here, unless otherwise indicated, should be available through local booksellers by using the ISBN number.