<p>In 1854, as the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad Company made plans to lay track through the Green Bay Trail north of Chicago, builder Charles Peck subdivided the surrounding woods. His wife Sarah declared that they must name this land Winnetka, meaning “beautiful land” in Native American. There is no proof that the word means “beautiful land” in any language―but all who visit Winnetka agree it is an apt description. Bordered by Lake Michigan and the lagoons and woods of the Cook County forest preserve, Winnetka is a town of well-tended lawns with vibrant spring tulips and daffodils giving way to summer’s leafy hostas. Its homes are found in historical registers, its shopping districts are charming and quaint, and its beaches and parks invite one to play hooky for an afternoon. Winnetka’s residents are good neighbors, reaching out to one another in times of fun and times of tragedy, devoted to excellence in education and in their professional lives.</p>

Winnetka (Images of America)

Arts & Photography

Leiber Presser, ArLynn

Photography & Video

Arcadia Publishing

Winnetka (Postcards of America)

History

Americas

Kearney, Missouri, is just 25 miles northeast of Kansas City, and though it’s a quiet farming and ranching community, its close proximity to the downtown area makes it the perfect place for commuters who want a small town to come home to. Officially incorporated in 1869 and most likely named for Charles E. Kearney, president of the Kansas City and Cameron Railroad, Kearney is best known as the birthplace of outlaw Jesse James and his brother Frank. The James brothers joined with the Younger brothers to form a gang that terrorized the Midwest in the chaotic years following the Civil War. Although the James brothers worked only to enrich their own fortunes, a Robin Hood mythology has developed around them. Kearney encourages the celebration of the era, if not the actual man. Jesse James Festival in September is a time for watching rodeos, eating kettle corn, playing mud volleyball, and enjoying world-class concerts at the town’s amphitheater. Kearney is the fastest-growing city in Missouri and a point of access to other parts of the state. Its schools are among the best in the country, and the village takes pride in its “business friendly” attitude.

Kearney (Images of America)

Coglan, Rev. Michael

Seymour, Charles H.

<p>In 1926, railroad and electric power tycoon Samuel Insull held a contest to name a station on the Skokie Valley Electric Line that the locals already called the Skokie Swamp. The winning name? Wau Bun, a Potawatomi word meaning “dawn” and also the name of a noted Potawatomi chief from the late 1700s. But the residents of Skokie Swamp hated the name and plotted their revenge. Three years later, as Insull was on a train pulling into the station, he was horrified to discover that vandals had taken it upon themselves to rename the station Hot Bun. Insull and the locals compromised, and the more neutral moniker of Northfield was adopted. The Skokie Valley Electric Line has long since been closed, and popular legend holds that Insull died penniless and alone in Paris. But the town of Northfield has survived and thrived. Once a loose affiliation of farms, Northfield is now a quiet suburb that has enviable schools, beautiful homes, and gorgeous landscapes.</p>

Northfield (Images of America)

Blue-Jeaned Prince

Romance

Contemporary

e-reads.com

In 1854, as the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad Company made plans to lay track through the Green Bay Trail north of Chicago, builder Charles Peck subdivided the surrounding woods. His wife Sarah declared that they must name this land Winnetka, meaning "beautiful land" in Native American. There is no proof that the word means "beautiful land" in any language--but all who visit Winnetka agree it is an apt description. Bordered by Lake Michigan and the lagoons and woods of the Cook County forest preserve, Winnetka is a town of well-tended lawns with vibrant spring tulips and daffodils giving way to summer's leafy hostas. Its homes are found in historical registers, its shopping districts are charming and quaint, and its beaches and parks invite one to play hooky for an afternoon. Winnetka's residents are good neighbors, reaching out to one another in times of fun and times of tragedy, devoted to excellence in education and in their professional lives.

Winnetka

Arcadia Publishing Library Editions

Northfield

Presser, Arlynn Leiber

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Leiber Presser, ArLynn. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Leiber Presser, ArLynn