Lake Erie: A Pictorial History - Tapa dura

A tale that takes in huge cities, such as Cleveland and Buffalo, and small towns, such as Port Burwell.--Daniel Pearce "Simcoe Reformer " Remarkable also is the number of people from the Lake Erie area who were important to North American growth during the 20th century.--Wayne Newton"London Free Press" (05/22/2004) Of interest in Western New York... Great old photos here, and new ones too.-- (03/26/2006) With 280 black-and-white photographs and information-rich captions, "Lake Erie" offers many tidbits of history and lore... striking pictures that immediately leave the reader with a feeling of how life was.-- (05/27/2004) This one has found a place in my coffee table bookcase... Lake Erie really was the center of it all.-- (06/06/2004) A fascinating portrait of [Lake Erie's] history and culture... plenty of illustrations balance the text, making for a lively read.-- (06/27/2004) A wonderful collection of black and white historical photographs... helps us to understand how the lands and people surrounding Lake Erie go to where they are today, and the important part marine commerce played in that evolution.-- (09/01/2004) A marvel to behold... 350 images spread over 224 pages... The depth and breadth of images chosen to form the book is stunning.-- (09/01/2004) A good read... a remarkable portrait of daily life, industry and commerce on the lake and along its shore.-- (09/26/2004) Fantastic... it belongs in your personal library.-- (06/08/2004) High drama, colorful history and plethora of adventurous characters... an impressive volume of information delivered in a superb and entertaining read.-- (06/23/2004) Informative and attractive. It contains countless facts and interesting sidenotes but never becomes text-heavy... history rich collection of photos.-- (06/06/2004) Beautifully produced book. The photographs are stunning in clarity... A very enjoyable read.--Great Lakes Historical Society

A detailed and richly illustrated history. To create this unprecedented collection of photographs and essays, the authors spent years visiting museums and archives, and interviewed Lake Erie experts, from professional historians to longtime residents. The result is Lake Erie a remarkable portrait of daily life, industry and commerce on this dynamic Great Lake. The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes and unleashed the financial potential of the American interior. The industrialists who located factories with ready access to raw materials soon became legends: Rockefeller, Henry Wells and William Fargo, Sherwin and Williams, Charles Brush and Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, B.F. Goodrich, Carnegie, Frick, Westinghouse and Mellon. The book is divided into chapters covering: The lake's prehistory Early settlement Role in the American Revolution Economic boom from 1815 to 1880 High Industrial period from 1880 to 1945 History of dramatic storms, shipwrecks Role in the Underground Railroad and Prohibition Wealth of flora and fauna