This book delves into the history of some of the unique individuals and groups, past and present, who have made a memorable impact on their community throughout its history.

A fascinating mix of local legends who could be characterized as “the right people, in the right place, at the right time” arrived in Central Oregon during the past century and a half to make Bend the fascinating city it has become. Some of these people—explorer John Charles Fremont, publisher George Palmer Putnam, economist William A. Niskanen, and “World’s Greatest Athlete” Ashton Eaton among them—gained national prominence and even global stature. Others were and are more ordinary people who have done and continue to do extraordinary things in an extraordinary place, a small but singular city of some 80,000 souls astride the Deschutes River at the eastern foot of the Cascade Range.

This book presents the cultural history of some of the unique individuals and groups who have made a memorable impact in and around Moscow, Idaho over the past 125 years. Heavily illustrated with reprints of historical photographs from the Latah County Historical Society and University of Idaho, as well as personal photographs from private collections.

Boise of the 21st century is very different from the tiny community established in 1863 at the crossroads of the Oregon Trail and the road to the Boise Basin gold mines. Originally known as "Boise City," it existed as a distribution center for supplies and fresh food for miners. The development of irrigated agriculture and the expansion of transportation networks during the 20th century and an influx of pioneers from many regions of the United States helped the city grow into a technology center during the 21st century. Early residents like Tom and Julia Davis helped create a city filled with green parks and walking paths; author and illustrator Mary Hallock Foote brought Boise to the attention of the nation with her writing and illustrations; businessmen J.R. Simplot and Joe Albertson established local businesses that grew to national companies. The music of Curtis Stigers, the literature of Anthony Doerr, and the athletic prowess of Kristin Armstrong have helped focus attention on Boise, which is now recognized as one of the country's most livable communities.

Anderson Island, the southernmost of all islands in Washington State's Puget Sound, was settled in the late 1800s by immigrants predominantly from the Scandinavian countries. In time, due to its remoteness and relative inaccessibility, a society of self-reliant yet closely connected residents took root.

Over 400,000 people moved their families in search of a better life in the American West during the Westward Expansion. The pioneers made room for musical instruments with their guns, food, and tools, while taking only the minimal necessities that would fit into modest wagons. During what seemed like an interminable dusty journey, music was often the sole source of light and happiness for these exhausted travelers. This book examines the roles of music in the Westward Expansion and the diverse cultural landscape of the Old West, including northern Cheyenne courtship flute makers, fiddle-playing explorers, dancing fur trappers, hymn-singing missionaries, frontier flutists, girls with guitars, wagon-driving balladeers, poetic cowboys, singing farmers, musical miners, and preaching songsters.