Lake Erie History and Views

Thirteen million people live within just a few miles of Lake Erie. From an historical perspective, it is the lake that brought them here in the first place, and it is the lake that keeps them here. Lake Erie is a source of life-giving fresh water and food, an avenue of transportation, a resource to support industry and a destination for recreation. Many who live on or near Lake Erie have little familiarity with what lies on its opposite side. Between the great industrial cities on the American side, small towns, rich farmland and many attractions are found along the shoreline. The quieter Canadian side, dotted with small villages, is rich in history and best showcases the natural beauty of the fourth largest of the Great Lakes. Lake Erie: History and Views joins both sides in one volume. Langmyer's account combines flowing narration, factual summaries, historic photographs, engravings, maps, antique postcards from his extensive collection and current photographs to tell the story of this vast inland sea. Starting with the creation of Lake Erie during the Ice Age, the story describes the lake s discovery by Europeans, the battles for its control, how people settled and developed the region around the lake, and how the population grew along its shores. The Circle of Cities and Towns section of chapters is most comprehensive. It covers the history of large to very small municipalities around the lake and includes past and present views. The author also takes the reader behind the scenes aboard a 1,000-foot lakeboat, the Walter J. McCarthy Jr., on a journey up the Great Lakes. Lake Erie is sometimes ignored or forgotten. Lake Erie: History and Views brings this natural wonder to center stage, for it is the center of the region.