While the kids are chasing around in search of Easter Eggs this weekend, you can take time out to peek behind the curtain on the history of Michigan’s Great Southwest thanks to a couple of new books hitting local bookstores from Arcadia Publishing and The History Press. Filled with photos and brief bits and pieces about people and places, the two books are from separate authors, and hot off the press.
Published on April 3rd are Legendary Locals of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor by Elaine Thomopoulos and Hidden History of St. Joseph County, Michigan by Kelly Pucci.
Thomopolous offers up “A cast of characters,” which tumble out of the pages of her new book, beginning with the courageous settlers who tamed the wilderness. She says that by the 1890s, “dynamic denizens of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor harvested fruit, established factories, and opened tourist attractions.” By the 1980s, “manufacturing in the area had declined, and the cities suffered,” however, “Present-day entrepreneurs, artists, and community activists have jump-started their return to vitality.”
Thomopolous offers up young, old, rich, poor, famous and infamous folks in her assortment of “fascinating men and women” who step out of the pages of her book. The book covers people of all types and accomplishments, including people who have not previously been recognized. Full disclosure: Ms. Thomopolous has included a profile of yours truly in her publication, for which I am grateful.
Pucci shares the history of St. Joseph County which was established in 1829, on “fertile land with an abundance of fresh water supplied by the St. Joseph River.” She shares the county’s colorful past which she says is “the result of forgotten locals and visitors liked Hezekiah Thomas who fished for diamonds in Corey Lake, and saloon smasher Carrie Nation who sold miniature hatchets at the county fairgrounds.”
Pucci’s book tells of how the U.S. Congress recognizes the Village of Colon as the Magic Capital of the World, and tells us Lakeside Cemetery is the final resting place of more magicians than any other cemetery on the globe.
The retail price of each book is $21.99 and can also be purchased online at either www.arcadiapublishing.com or www.historypress.net.
Check your local book store first and shop local. You can see the covers of the books in the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com.
