Books published by Arcadia Publishing Library Editions

Located northwest of downtown San Diego, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) is rich in the history and traditions of the US Marine Corps. The base was born in part of the perseverance of Col. Joseph H. Pendleton and the efforts of Congressman William Kettner. MCRD San Diego was commissioned in 1921 and officially designated as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in 1948. It is the oldest operational Marine Corps base on the West Coast and graduates over 20,000 new Marines every year. MCRD San Diego is one of only two Marine Corps recruit-training bases in the United States and is responsible for the basic training of all male recruits west of the Mississippi River. Every Marine begins his career by participating in a 13-week training period that isolates him from the civilian world. Basic training at MCRD San Diego emphasizes physical fitness and adaption to the Marine Corps lifestyle.

On land that was once inhabited by Native Americans, the city of Pickerington is now a bustling suburb of Columbus, Ohio. Step into the downtown area, though, and one will catch a glimpse of the rich history of what was once a small village before its population boom. In 1811, James Looker of Rockingham County, Virginia, purchased land in Violet Township. Although he never lived on the land, his children called it home, building log cabins along Sycamore Creek. Ann Looker, one of his daughters, married Abraham Pickering, who established a town and named it Jacksonville. In 1827, citizens honored Pickering by petitioning the state legislature to change the name of the town to Pickerington. By 1865, there were 37 buildings in Pickerington, and some of those still stand to this day.

Ottawa is a city rich in history going back to the 1820s. It was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate, and even a famous Civil War general was from Ottawa. The city has an enormous heritage in its churches, schools, and neighborhoods and has created impressive strength in its business and industry over the years. Ottawa also has contributed more than its share of service in the defense of the nation. The I&M Canal, Reddick Mansion, the appellate court, the LaSalle County Courthouse, the Tent Colony, the nearby shipyard and glass factories, the rivers, and the area state parks all have been important and unique parts that comprise Ottawa.

Portage Lakes is a unique area that lies within the boundaries of Coventry Township and the cities of Green and New Franklin. Within the last century, the communities have gradually moved from agrarian in nature to those of classical developing suburbs. Portage Lakes is rich in history that connects it to the Ohio Erie and Pennsylvania/Ohio Canals, Delaware Indians, Portage Path, the Ohio Department of Parks and Recreation, Portage Lakes State Park, Connecticut land grants, the Western Reserve, Prohibition, coal mining, and water-sport recreation. Although Portage Lakes does not have identified political boundaries, its own local government, or school district, residents in the area often remark that they live in Portage Lakes.