Soda Fountain: 19th Century Courtships

Soda Fountain: 19th Century Courtships

At the Turn of the 20th Century (year 1900), the Soda Fountain was a safe and socially acceptable place for men and women to meet. Courting couples could enjoy a little semi-private time tucked in the back of the drug store sipping one Coca-Cola from two straws. Come see a vintage article written about why soda fountains foster romance, and how the Soda Men must safeguard themselves against falling for lonely maiden customers. Soda Fountains remained a courtship and dating icon from the late nineteenth century through the 1950s and beyond. What was the draw?

World Book and Copyright Day: April 23rd

World Book and Copyright Day: April 23rd

World Book (and Copyright) Day is relatively new (about 20 years old) and celebrates books, literature, authors, writing–and most importantly, READING, worldwide. Because of loose literary connections in history, April 23rd, each year, is the official day. What will you do to take note of this holiday?

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BOOK REVIEW: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

BOOK REVIEW: The San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

111 years ago today, April 18, 1906, an earthquake with a magnitude (estimated) of 7.8 destroyed much of San Francisco. Charles River Editors did a fine job covering this tremendous natural disaster in a brief, concise, instructive manner. See my five-star review.

Famous Nineteenth Century Gunsmiths

Famous Nineteenth Century Gunsmiths

Gunsmiths were essential to the nineteenth century American West. While writing The Gunsmith’s Bride, I came across interesting information about the most well-known American gunsmiths (and perhaps, armorers).

Key elements that made their way into my novella are the multi-generational family knowledge of the craft and training of their sons, the prevalence and “household word” of the Colt Peacemaker, and the Hawken rifle. Take a quick look at history’s memory of these three popular gun-makers.

A Double-Topped Quilt: Remembering a Love of a Lifetime

A Double-Topped Quilt: Remembering a Love of a Lifetime

GRANDMA’S WEDDING QUILTS Series debuts today with the release of THE PREQUEL, a short introduction title by Kate Cambridge. My contribution to this 12-volume series (including the prequel) is Pleasance’s First Love. In this article, I share the gem of an idea, true-to-history, that came from researching quilts in Colorado in the 19th century. Who knew a quilt could have two “tops”?