Books in the Past and Present series

Fairhope, Alabama, was founded on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay in 1894 as a social experiment. The pioneers applied the single-tax principle and economic philosophy found in Henry George's 1879 book Progress and Poverty. The city of Fairhope was established in 1908 inside and around the colony, known today as the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation. This book celebrates the timeless Fairhope bay views and historic buildings and homes.

Ripon is a charming and quiet city in the San Joaquin Valley in Central California. The community is very faith-based, prioritizing tolerance, gratitude, and family, and these values have played out in the development of the town. In the past 100 years, very few buildings have been demolished but instead have been repaired and repurposed.

The horrific 1947 Woodward tornado, the unpredictability of agriculture, and the vagaries of oil and gas--Woodward, Oklahoma, has endured its share of tragedy and triumph. Standing as tenacious as its citizens are many of the city's buildings repurposed through the decades for new generations.

Beginning with its origins in the 18th century as a sparsely populated farming community, Patchogue has had to reinvent itself many times. Farming, milling, boatbuilding, commercial fishing, large industry, tourism and recreation, small retail, and restaurants have all played major roles in the history and development of Patchogue.