Central Kansas Library System

The low-lying prairie on which Champaign came to be established was once described as "one vast pond where the mud turtle and water moccasin luxuriated, the mosquito wound his bugle, and the frogs gave a rival symphony." From humble origins as a stop on the Illinois Central Railroad called West Urbana, the cluster of buildings quickly became a bustling town of square storefronts, with horses and wagons hitched along wood-plank sidewalks. Gradually...

In 1839, persecuted Mormons fled Missouri, across the Mississippi River, seeking freedom from violence. They hoped to find a safe haven on the banks of the river in an Illinois city that they called Nauvoo, "the city beautiful." The Mormons did not flourish for long in Nauvoo. In neighboring cities some grew resentful of the prosperity that Joseph Smith and his people were enjoying. Religious misconceptions further fueled hostility toward the Mormons....

People have inhabited North America for centuries. Among their descendants are many Native American tribes. Today, one tribe with a rich history is the Mandan. The Mandan have a vibrant culture and past, filled with challenges and triumphs. This book discusses the Mandan's beginnings, as well as their present-day happenings, and explores their future in an ever-changing world.

North America was inhabited Native tribes some ten thousand years ago. As generations passed, the tribes formed individual communities, full of rich customs, beliefs, and ideals. Despite facing hardship in later centuries, the First People of North America continue to thrive in modern times. This book discusses the origin of the Tlingit, their rituals, beliefs, and culture, and their importance in society today.

Examines what daily life was like for people who lived in early American frontier settlements.

Presents a brief history of the one-room schools that existed in the United States from the 1700s to the 1950s.