Town Histories

This inspiring guide highlights the historical background of America, and is filled with personal stories and practical tips for you to easily begin making a difference immediately in your hometown politics, through a bottom-up approach....

In the early 1800s, long before it officially became a town, Centralia, Pennsylvania was rich with anthracite coal—the hardest and most energy-dense form of coal. This resource was a catalyst for industrial growth during America’s expansion. Coal wasn’t just a fuel; it was an essential element that sparked the Industrial Revolution, and Centralia became a thriving mining town. On May 7, 1962, in preparation for a Memorial Day celebration, the disaster began. Now, even decades afterward, the town of Centralia exists on a liminal threshold—neither entirely gone nor fully alive.

In Summer over Autumn, Howard Mansfield sifts through the commonplace and the forgotten to discover stories that tell us about ourselves and our place in the world - in this case, Hancock, New Hampshire.