Sunday, July 31, 2011

Images of America: Northern Pine County



My co-author, Earl J. "Jim" Foster, and I are proud to announce the publication of our book, Images of America: Northern Pine County.

From the back cover:

"Featuring over 210 historic photographs, Images of America: Northern Pine County guides readers on an exciting journey into the past "as it explores the successes and sorrows, joys and trials of the people of Northern Pine County, Minnesota. Each chapter examines a unique aspect of daily life in Northern Pine County. Readers meet loggers and settlers from the county’s earliest days, catch a glimpse of many towns and villages, and encounter a variety of industries, business, schools, and churches that shaped the county’s economic and social landscape. Life was not easy for the people who called Northern Pine County home. On September 1, 1894, and again on October 12, 1918, forest fires devastated portions of the county, killing hundreds, destroying thousands of acres, and leaving large parts of the population homeless. While photographs cannot capture the heartache of fire victims, they do provide a window into Northern Pine County’s rich history and help tell the fascinating stories of its residents."

Interested readers can find the book on Amazon or email me to request an order form for a signed copy.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Welcome

Welcome to the Pine County History blog! Here you'll discover a whole bevy of fascinating facts, articles, photographs, newspaper excerpts, historical documents, and quizzes relating to the history of Pine County, Minnesota.

Pine County, which is located in East Central Minnesota, has a rich history. In fact, according to the Minnesota Preservation Center, Pine County is one of the most interesting and unique counties in the entire state of Minnesota. Over the years, the county has been home to Native American camps and burial grounds; logging endeavors; quarrying operations; a military road; railroads; agricultural activities; popular forests and lakes; and countless businesses, schools, churches, and organizations. This blog will examine all of these features with a special emphasis on the stories of Pine County's people.

Joining me in researching and writing this blog will be Pine County historians Jim Foster, LaJune Troolin, and Richard VanDerWerf.

Please check back often because we hope to update frequently.  Thanks for visiting!