Arcadia Publishing.

Arcadia Publishing 

420 Wando Park Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

www.arcadiapublishing.com

If it's regional California history which is of interest, especially vintage black and white photos and details on local areas seldom given much publicity coverage in more general California history books, don't miss Arcadia's rapidly-expanding regional California collections comprising their 'Images of America' series. Each book is a virtual masterpiece of detail, with many appropriately narrowing the focus to an area of larger cities such as San Francisco, which rarely enjoys closer neighborhood inspection. Thus the latest additions of Robert W. Bowen's SAN FRANCISCO'S PRESIDIO (0738529869, $19.99) and Robert F. Oaks' SAN FRANCISCO'S FILLMORE DISTRICT (0738529885, $19.99) assembles fine images which serve as the foundation for telling Presidio and Fillmore area history. From the Presidio's roots as home to the Ohlone natives to its later use as a military base, and the Fillmore District's cosmopolitan beginnings and home to a large Jewish settlement, vivid vintage photos bring changing times to life. Travel outside the City to nearby communities and Arcadia doesn't leave you hanging, either: choose from Sabine Goerke-Shrode's FAIRFIELD (0738528889, $19.99), once home to the Patwin Suisuni Indians whose Chief Solano was one of the few native landowners in California in the 1830s, the Dixon Women's Improvement Club's DIXON (9738529729, $19.99), another Solano County exploration which details the community's change from a prosperous farming region to a quaint small town; Dean L. McLeod's BAY POINT (0738529079, $19.99), telling of the nearby High 4 small area which began from smaller neighborhood roots and changed its name to Port Chicago during the depression, only then seeing the restoration process which it needed; and Daniel Kasser's DOWNTOWN STOCKTON (0738529427, $19.99), telling of a gold rush town which became a major city. You don't have to be a native or even a visitor to appreciate these lovely coverages, which pack in not only vintage photos but insights into underlying influences to local change. Arcadias extensive image histories are rapidly expanding throughout the state: go further from the City and bring along Leroy Radanovich's MARIOPSA COUNTY (0738529494, $19.99), one of the original 27 counties of the state which is located in the Sierras and has a colorful history, from gold mining to modern times. Author Randovich is a photographer and a longtime resident, so he's in the perfect position to not only gather the images, but tell the stories of his home city. Laura L. Alioto's SEAL BEACH (073852980X, $19.99) reveals a history of the Southern California beach town which was originally begun as Bay City and changed to Seal Beach after mail to San Francisco, the 'City by the Bay', was thwarted. Alioto is president of the Seal Beach Historical and Cultural Society and provides a rich collection of images and stories. Norma H. Gurba's LANCASTER (0738529818, $19.99) tells of a town created by a railroad's needs and a real estate developer who purchased the land from the railroad and oversaw its development. 200 historic images from the City of Lancaster Museum/Art Gallery's holdings are presented by author/curator Gurba and enlivened with plenty of local color. Arcadia is developing and expanding their 'Images of America' theme across the country: Yanni Tsipis' BOSTON'S BRIDGES (0738535710, $19.99) is only one example of an outstanding feature narrowing the Boston survey to it's remarkable bridges and spans. Tsipis holds degrees in civil engineering and urban planning, and is in the perfect, unique position to cover this aspect of Boston's bridge and engineering history.