Phillipsburg New Jersey

 American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

Phillipsburg is a historic town with a growing base of small and mid-size businesses thirty minutes from the Pocono Mountains, and midway between Philadelphia and New York City.

Located on the Delaware River, in a beautiful setting of rolling hills, woodlands, and flowing waters, this town offers the best of all worlds in a close-knit community of families and friends, as you enjoy all the advantages of urban living as well as rural atmosphere and a quaint downtown waterfront shopping district. 

A sister city to industrial Easton, across the Delaware River on the border with Pennsylvania, Phillipsburg is considered part of the Delaware Valley region and the eastern border of the Lehigh Valley. The Norfolk Southern Railway Lehigh Line runs through Phillipsburg on its way to cross the river to Easton. The Belvidere Delaware Railroad was leased and later acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad, connecting the lower Poconos to Trenton and Philadelphia.

  

 

Mullica Hill New Jersey

American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

In the late 17^th century, English and Irish Quakers established plantations around the area now known as Mullica Hill. This Quaker community centered on the south bank of Raccoon Creek and was called Spicerville, honoring prominent landowner Jacab Spicer. Originally only the north bank of the creek was known as Mullica Hill, recalling the town’s pioneering Finnish settlers, Eric, John, Olag, and William Mullica who first began purchasing land in 1704. Two of the homes they built still stand on North Main near the creek.

The township’s first period of growth began around 1780 and continued until the 1830’s

Commercial development occurred principally in Spicerville and four of the town’s churches were built there. Many structures from this era can still be seen today along Main Street.

After the Civil War noteworthy Victorian homes and public buildings were built throughout the village, including the Town Hall. During this period, Harrison Township established itself as one of the country’s most productive agricultural areas. A railroad spur was built, and the town became one of the nation’s most active shipping points for agricultural commodities.

This period is commemorated by a reenactment every fall

In 1991, the entire village was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in honor of its historic and architectural significance.

Lower Mississippi River Itineraries

The Lower Mississippi River flows downstream from Cairo, Illinois and the confluence with the Ohio River, for 1600 km – 1000 miles – to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the most heavily traveled component of this river system. Unlike on the upper rivers, there are no locks and dams on the Lower Mississippi. The river is, however, constrained by levees and dams that control flooding and secure the navigation channel for barge traffic.

Navigation the Corps of Engineers maintains channel depth of 9 feet from St. Louis to Baton Rouge.

On the lower Mississippi, from Baton Rouge to the Gulf, the navigation depth is 45 feet, allowing for container ships and cruise ships to dock at the port of New Orleans.

Nashville has been the subject of many books, movies and songs. But, while music is the lifeblood of this city, you will also find here culture, history, haute cuisine, sports, natural beauty and Southern charm.

Blues Rock ’n’ Roll BBQ Pork Capital Cotton Row and Graceland  

Memphis is a city with a rich and eclectic history. Some of the city’s traditions and milestones include: Graceland, Home of Elvis Presley, the Memphis Zoo, the Indie Memphis Film Festival, Sun Studio, National Civil Rights Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Beale Street Music Festival.

The Mississippi Story Sights Sounds and Culinary Traditions a melting pot of cultures – from African to Italian to Asian. Capital-River from a mighty river and antebellum mansions to downtown with restaurants featuring soul food, authentic ethnic dishes and modern culinary delights. Pines barbecue and bakeries, cheese and cheesecakes, the tastes of this region take their influences from their Native American heritage. Hills home to William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams and Southern fiction characters, platters of fried chicken, skillets of cornbread, and delicacies such as pecan pie. Coast golf, gambling, art, architecture and great food.

 a melting pot of regional, ethnic, national and international cuisine

New Orleans the oldest neighborhood in the city is the French Quarter. Established by the French in 1718, the location continues to be a valuable site for trade due to its strategic position along the Mississippi River. Jackson Square, originally known as the Place d'Armes, was renamed to honor Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans. The square is flanked by historic structures such as the St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytere and Cabildo, which house the Louisiana State Museums, and the Pontalba Apartments - the oldest apartment buildings in the United States. 

Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania

American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

Located in a rich agricultural region known as the Cumberland Valley in South Central Pennsylvania,

Mechanicsburg was named for a settlement of mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga wagons in the early 19^th century. Its continued growth as transport hub resulted from its designation as a water station where workers could restock the locomotive's wood and pump water.

Mechanicsburg and Trains

Grain and feed companies, lumber yards and numerous factories were built alongside the railroad tracks. Archives show that, at one time, there were twenty-five trains chugging through the town daily carrying travelers, mail, coal, feathers, fruit, and newspapers. During the Civil War, the railroad was an invaluable method of transporting troops and supplies. Today, up to six trains travel through each day.

Present-day Mechanicsburg is Centered on a 100-acres (40 ha) tract Purchased from William Penn

The town went by several different names:

Drytown because of the extreme scarcity of water during the winter and summer.

Pinchgut a German word signifying a small village with only a few people.

Staufferstown, in honor of Henry Stauffer, the owner of much of the land in the center of town.

On June 28, 1863, Confederate troops raided Mechanicsburg, and two days later, met with Union forces just east of town. This was the northernmost engagement of the Civil War. Following the Skirmish of Sporting Hill, the Confederate forces retreated south into the town of Gettysburg.

The Oldest Building in Mechanicsburg is the Frankeberger Tavern. One of Mechanicsburg's first residents was George Frankeberger, who in 1801 applied for a license to open his newly built log home for the convenience of travelers between Harrisburg and Carlisle.

The Mechanicsburg Museum is a cluster of historic buildings from the 1800s where visitors can learn about Cumberland Valley history. The two-story Freight Station Museum & Museum Store was once used for freight shipments and deliveries. It now houses a modern museum space and gift shop.

The Cumberland Valley Beer Trail tour and taste a pint at Cumberland Valley pubs; Valley breweries and restaurants welcome locals and visitors to sample their unique flavors of craft brews.

Seabrook Texas

American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

Seabrook borders Galveston Bay and includes marshes that runoff from inland fields. It was founded by Seabrook W. Sydnor in 1895; in March 1903, the Seabrook Company of Houston created a layout of the proposed Seabrook Town site. The new town attracted fishermen, merchants and later the nearby NASA Johnson Space Center.

The historic downtown area was constructed in the early 20^th century and it is renowned for its antique shops and bed and breakfast establishments. The town hosts the Texas Keels and Wheels classic car and boat show held each year the first weekend in May at Lakewood Yacht Club. A Festival of the Arts is held annually on the grounds of Seabrook City Hall where artists exhibit paintings, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, wood works, photography, and performances by Texas musicians.

Trails there are 8 miles (13 km) of crushed granite trails that connect most of the city's parks, traversing habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. The city is a bird sanctuary, including four sites on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail and the nearby Armand Bayou Nature Center.

Watertown South Dakota

American Historic Small-Town Itineraries

Watertown is located on the Big Sioux River between Pelican and Kampeska Lakes. Founded in 1879 as a rail terminus, the city was named after Watertown, New York, hometown of two of the founders. 

During the 1880s, Watertown prospered as a railroad transportation hub; Interstate 29 has been a major economic benefit to the larger communities along its route, including Watertown.

The Watertown Public Opinion Newspaper Began Publishing in 1887

Local Cultural Attractions the Coddington County Heritage Museum is home to thousands of pictures and artifacts that tell the story of this area of South Dakota.

Mellette House dates-back to 1885; it was the home of Arthur Calvin Mellette, the last governor of the Dakota Territory and First Governor of South Dakota. The Mellette Memorial Association has restored this home to its former beauty.

Bramble Park Zoo is home to over 800 mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Have fun at the Kidzoo and Ottertown; explore and play while connecting with nature.

Watertown is home to two breweries with craft beer, a winery, vodka and rum distillery. 

The Annapolis Maryland Historic District

The capital of the State of Maryland is an example of an attempt to create a European style urban environment in a North American setting by use of a modified baroque plan. Departing from the grid pattern characteristic of many American towns, the planners adopted a modified baroque plan, first applied by French baroque designers in garden layout, as at Versailles. This influence soon spread to England and was adapted by Christopher Wren and John Evelyn for the rebuilding of London after the 1666 fire. In the accepted planning practice of this style, the highest and most commanding locations were reserved for the State House and church.

Annapolis developed in harmony with the original plan of 1695 to emerge in the mid-eighteenth century as the focal point of Maryland government, politics, commerce and as a center of wealth and culture.

The basic features of that early city have survived to the present and provide the boundaries for the historic district. Some streets within Old Town have been widened and a few street names have been altered, but the original plan is little changed. In addition to the many outstanding individual examples of high Georgian design, scores of two and three-story buildings line streets such as Cornhill, Market, and Conduit. None are distinguished in design or detail, but all are harmonious in scale and materials.

the planners separated residential and official areas from artisan commercial, and port activities

Location in 1695, under the direction of Royal Governor Sir Francis Nicholson, the capital of the colony of Maryland was transferred from its original location, St. Mary's, to a more central and accessible spot on a peninsula between the present Spa and College Creeks at the mouth of the Severn River. The site of the new capital, then denominated Anne Arundel Town, had been sparsely settled since the mid-seventeenth century. Befitting the seat of royal power in absentia the colonial government determined to plan and survey a new town of about 100 acres, which was soon enlarged to over 140 acres. The town, renamed Annapolis to honor Princess - later Queen - Anne, was incorporated in 1696.

The District is home to many notable 18^th century structures. Among them are the William Reynolds Tavern at Church Circle, McDowell Hall and the Charles Carroll-Barrister Birthplace on the Saint John's College Campus, the John Rideout House on Duke of Gloucester Street, the Peggy Stewart House on Hanover Street. The area between Franklin, Northwest, Calvert, Larkin and Shaw Streets contains twenty-five 18^th century buildings. Commercial fronts hide the antiquity of 16 early Annapolis buildings along West Street between Church Circle and the intersection of West, Calvert, and Cathedral Streets. To the west of this is Acton, a Palladian mansion completed in 1762 for Philip Hammond, slightly outside the original town limits. This house is noteworthy for its unusual design, the facade facing Acton Place being composed of two pavilion motifs flanking a slightly recessed single center bay, the reverse of the usual arrangement.

The State House on State Circle is a National Historic Landmark. Begun in 1772 and completed in 1784, it was the meeting place of the Continental Congress, 1783-84. It was here that George Washington resigned his commission as commander of the American armies, December 23, 1783, and Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, formally ending the Revolutionary War on January 14, 1784. This Georgian public building is capped by a 150-foot wooden dome which was completed in 1793 and is the prototype of many subsequent state house domes.