Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Regional histories of the great railroads and relics of rail culture.

Have you ever wondered what life was like for young women a century and a half ago? Or wished your life had more adventure? Or at least some adventure? Have you ever wished you could travel far away and try new lifestyles? Do you enjoy stories about real-life struggles with a twist of humor? If you can say yes to any of the above questions, this book is for you! Join Mz. Grundy on her journey to experience all the adventure she can find as she strikes out on her own and travels alone across the United States in 1875, on her way to her first job as a prairie schoolteacher! In this first book of her series, Mz. Grundy reaches Chicago, Illinois, in her pursuit of excitement. On the way, she tries new exploits, such as riding on the back of a camel. Her mettle is tested when she careens down train tracks ten feet above street level. When Mz. Grundy finds herself in the gigantic metropolitan city of New York, surrounded by pressing crowds of people and pigs in the streets, she perseveres in her dream despite the discomfort of feeling as though she is a polar bear in a desert. In her quest for new experiences, this naive young woman faces some terrific obstacles, but she learns and grows as she bravely overcomes her fears and forges ahead. Her story is told with mirth and warmth, making her a young heroine with whom we can all relate. Come along and join her as she conquers her fears and advances into new territory!

This volume reproduces almost 100 remarkably detailed and texturally rich photographs. Essays by noted historians John Stilgoe, Mary Panzer, and Kenneth Finkel place Rau and his work in the context of the history of American advertising and landscape photography.