Riverside has been a vital center of agriculture and government throughout the growth of Southern California. Postcards sent from this city to those far away usually depict it as a resort, situated on the western edge of the Colorado Desert, where the historic Mission Inn has been a vacation destination for generations. Illustrating many facets of this world-renowned, garden-like gathering spot, these attractive images also showcase Riverside's Main Street, public buildings, parks, broad avenues, the sharply rising Mt. Rubidoux on the edge of town, and the influence of the citrus industry.

The thousands of acres of navel orange groves that once blanketed Riverside, California, were one of the most recognizable icons of the states early citrus industry and also the origin for Californias nickname, The Golden State. Founded as a utopian colony in the wake of the Civil War, Riverside soon began to lure wealthy foreign and eastern investors who turned their sights towards Riverside where the perfect combination of sun, soil, and water turned the opportunity of citrus growing into a multimillion-dollar industry. Twenty-five years after Riversides founding, millions of dollars of investments had transformed the small agricultural outpost into the wealthiest city per capita in the nation. The citys Orange Barons invested their money by building stately Victorian mansions and imposing brick commercial buildings. Others lured additional investors by creating parks with tropical plant gardens, formal avenues landscaped with rare and beautiful trees, and a carefully designed downtown area with beautiful churches, hotels, and civic buildings.

With the advent of new and inexpensive photographic technology emerging in the United States during the mid-19th century, communication by postcard became a very popular way to exchange travel stories, news, and gossip over the centuries. Seen through the eyes of vintage postcards, this new book features a history of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio. Captured here in over 200 vintage images is the development of this quintessential Midwest town, from its origins as a rural farming region to the prosperous community it is today. Following the experiences and correspondence of Findlay's visitors and residents, readers will witness almost first-hand the trials and tribulations of the city's inhabitants at the turn of the century, including images of its thriving downtown, lost buildings, furious storms, and developing industries.

Because of its excellent river system, Saginaw developed from an Indian village into a bustling lumber town. In its early days, investors came from eastern cities and became wealthy lumber barons. They built beautiful mansions, hotels, and public buildings while they also supported civic projects. Before consolidating, there were two cities: East Saginaw and Saginaw City, separated by the Saginaw River. Many German societies, schools, and churches were organized in the area, due to the large number of residents with a German heritage. The early residents survived fires, floods, and the end of the lumber boom. Other industries developed and the city continued to grow. The rare postcards that appear in this book depict many historical buildings, the two separate cities, the German influence, and the philanthropy of the lumber barons. Join author Roberta Morey on a journey through Saginaw's rich industrial and cultural history.

The story of the internationally famous Mission Inn Hotel, and its predecessor, has been intertwined with the city of Riverside's history since both began. As the slogan once said, Riverside is a "City with a Mission Inn its Heart." For more than a century, the Mission Inn and its eclectic collections have intrigued visitors, artisans, architects, and dignitaries who have come to Riverside for a myriad of reasons. The Mission Inn, founded by colorful entrepreneur Frank Miller, was integral to the city's turn-of-the-20th-century tourism as wealthy Easterners flocked to Riverside and its famous hotel, lured by a Mediterranean climate, investment opportunities, and vast navel orange groves. Unlike other grand hotels of the time, the Mission Inn, with its Mission style architecture, was a luxury hotel that was uniquely Californian.

In the late 1800s, postcards of Indianapolis began appearing in mailboxes throughout the country. Since that time, the many prominent monuments, buildings, and parks of the Hoosier capital have been featured on countless cards. Using an impressive collection of these images, author W.C. Madden takes the reader on an historic journey through Indianapolis from 1890 to 1950, providing a visual history of the development of the city. Indianapolis experienced great growth during the first half of the 20th century, which gave rise to innovative art and architectural structures, many that serve as the subject of postcards featured here. The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the Indiana World War Memorial, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Union Station, and Claypool Hotel, to name a few, are all highlighted.

The Great Fire of May 3, 1901 marked at once the end and the beginning of the City of Jacksonville. A thriving port and a center for business and tourism until that point, Jacksonville was devastated by the conflagration, and yet, even before the ashes had cooled, a building boom began. Prominent and aspiring architects flocked to the area and the opportunities it afforded them to create a "twentieth century city." Jacksonville's ensuing era of reconstruction and growth, which would continue until the United States entered World War I in 1917, helped to define the city's present personality and appearance.