Books

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Books are in alphabetical order by title. Society members are reminded that they are eligible for a 10% discount on purchases.

TITLE

DESCRIPTION

PRICE

 

Arcade Toy Catalogs

Freeport’s famous manufacturer of cast iron toys – reprints of catalogs:  1902-03; No. 40 (1932) and No. 58 (1940) (be sure to specify which catalog you are ordering)

  $19.00 ea

 

The Arcadians: Fred & Jane

Cartoon booklet with the story about the tiny Arcadians. Produced by the Arcade Manufacturing of Freeport in 1933. Reprint. 22 pages.

      $7.50

 

Back to Madison Street

by Horton

Remembrances of growing up Black in Freeport in the 1940s & ‘50s.

Hardcover (H) or soft cover (S).

 $30.00 (H)

 $20.00 (S)

 

Cedarville's Jane Addams ... Her Early Influences

by Ronald H. Beam

Biography of Jane Addams' early years and the influence of her father, her family, her home, her father's mill, and Cedarville itself. 34 pages, includes drawings and photographs.  Rev. Ed. by Paul Fry

   $12.00

 

Chalk Dust from the Schoolhouse Floor: Short Takes on American Automotive Historyby Bill Millard

A collection of 27 essays about the pioneers of the American automobile industry written for the California Automobile Museum by a Freeport Native. Spiral bound, 78 pages, photos.

   $10.00

 

Days on the Family Farm

By Carrie A. Meyers

From 1900 to 1944, based on diaries and farm journals, the story of one farm family in Northwest Illinois. Photos.

   $16.00

 

Dirksen Silver

A facsimile of the 1896 Dirksen Silver Filigree Company catalog complete with drawings of the silver available. Includes an introduction and history of the company by Phillip L. Keister. 72 pages, 2009 Reprint.

   $15.00

 

The Early Black Settlers of Stephenson County, Illinois, 1830-1930 by Joyce Salter Johnson

The long awaited account that puts into historical context the Black men and women who migrated to Stephenson County. 2011. 324 pages, photos, index. The companion photo book is listed further below as A Hundred-year Journal…

    $19.00

 

Fighting Slavery in Chicago

by Campbell

A history of the Abolitionist movement in Chicago

$38.00

 

 Freeport –Images of America Series by the Journal-Standard

A pictorial history of Freeport from its earliest days to the early 1900s complied by Harriett Gustason. Paperback, 127 pages

   $21.00

 

Freeport and Stephenson County: A Short History

A brief sketch of the major events in the history of Freeport and Stephenson County. 7 pages.

   50 cents

 

Freeport’s Lincoln

History of the creation and dedication of “Lincoln the Debater” statue in Freeport’s Taylor Park in 1930. Reprint. Hard cover (H) or soft cover (S).

 $13.00 (H)

 $7.00 (S)

 

Freeport Remembers
by Olga Carlile

Booklet commemorating the 1994 Lincoln-Douglas Debate re-enactment for C-SPAN. 60 pages, contains many color photographs and an index, 1994

   $3.00

 

Gangsters, Harlots & Thieves by Todd Moore and Therson Moore

A behind the scenes look at growing up poor while living in Freeport’s Clifton Hotel.

  $15.00

 

Generous Spirit: The Life of Mary Fry by Paul Fry

Mary Fry was the companion of Mrs. Addams, step-mother of Jane Addams.  Mary lived in the Addams home and knew Jane Addams and her family well.  114 pages, black and white photos.  2003.  Sale of this book benefits both the Stephenson County Historical Society and the Cedarville Area Historical Society.

   $20.00

 

Ghost Stories of Stephenson County, Volume I by Terri Reid

The “original” is now back in print. Spiral bound, paperback.

     $5.00

 

Ghost Stories of Stephenson County, Volume II   by Terri Reid

Ten more stories of Stephenson County hauntings.  Includes Freeport, German Valley, Dakota, Sciota Mills, Lena and more.  37 pages, 2001

     $5.00

 

Henney Buggy Catalog-- 1913

Reprint of the 1913 catalog listing the numerous models of buggies and carriages manufactured in Freeport. Each model is described in technical detail and illustrated. Also shown are variations for seats, as well as other accessories. B&W with a few shown in color. 120 pages. Spiral bound.

    $30.00

 

The Henney Motor Company: A Complete History

By Thomas A McPherson

The definitive history of Freeport’s famed automobile manufacturer and its relationship with the Packard Motor Company. 272 pages, 352 B&W photos, as well as 48 color images. Hardcover.

$55.00

 

Hot Flashes: 101 Reasons to Laught at Life by Sue Langenberg

A compilation of ancedotes using wry and witty humor by a Freeport writer.

$13.00

 

A Hundred-year Journal: A Pictorial History of the Early Black Settlers of Stephenson County, Illinois 1830-1930 by Joyce Salter Johnson

Companion work to Salter Johnson’s The Early Black Settlers of Stephenson County, Illinois. Hundreds of photos. B&W. 2011.

    $25.00

 

Indians of Stephenson County
by Mary X. Barrett

Short history of the Indian tribes of Stephenson County. 28 pages, includes bibliography.

       $3.00

 

The Jane Addams Papers in the Collection of the Stephenson County Historical Society

edited by Thompson A. Brandt

New edition issued for the 150th anniversary of the birth of Jane Addams, this 60-page paperback reprints the texts of all of the letters and artifacts in the Society’s collection written by and to Jane Addams. Photos.

 

$15.00

 

Karl Henry Kubitz of Freeport, Illinois: A Musical Tributeby Thompson A. Brandt

Biography of the man who headed Freeport Public School instrumental music program for many, many years. Spiral bound. 2005.

$10.00

 

Looking Back--Volume I
by Harriett Gustason

It sold out years ago, but has been reprinted!  A compilation of Harriett Gustason's Looking Back articles from the 1982-1985 Freeport Journal- Standard.  Each article is a short history of a local person or place.  314 pages, many photos.  Index.  1994. Paperback

$22.00

 

Looking Back--Volume II
by Harriett Gustason

A compilation of Harriett Gustason's Looking Back articles from the 1986-1987 Freeport Journal Standard. Contains about 100 articles, each one is a short history of a local person or place. 220 pages, many photos.  Index.  1997. Paperback

   $22.00

 

Looking Back--Volume III
by Harriett Gustason

A compilation of Harriett Gustason's Looking Back articles from the Freeport Journal Standard, 1998 into 1990. Contains about 100 articles, each one is a short history of a local person or place. 220 pages, many photos.  Index includes every name mentioned.  2002. Paperback

     $22.00

 

Looking Back by Harriett Gustason

(The Three Volume Set)

All three volumes of Harriett Gustason’s Looking Back series.  A savings over purchasing each individually.  

    $60.00

 

The Lustron Home: The History of a Postwar Prefabricated Housing Experiment 

by Thomas T. Fetters

Advertised as "a new standard for living," the Lustron Home was an enameled steel, prefabricated house heavily promoted from 1948 to 1950.  About 2,500 were erected all over the United States, including some still in use today in Freeport and Stephenson County.  The book includes the history of the Lustron Corporation, how it got started and why it failed.  Appendix lists all known Lustrons' location, model and color.  Hardcover, photos, drawings, index and appendixes.  186 pages.  2002.

   $40.00

 

McConnell Revisited

by Timothy J. Mulhall

 A collection of vintage photographs and newspaper articles from the 150 year history of McConnell, Illinois.  Paperback, 116 pages.   2001. Sale of this book benefits both the Stephenson County Historical Society and the McConnell Area Historical Society. 

$20.00

 

 McConnell Sesquicentennial History Album

by McConnell Area Historical Society

History of McConnell, Illinois from 1838 to 1988.  Includes history of the fire department, 4-H club, railroad, schools, churches, and then-and-now photographs.  Also a record of the 1988 Sesquicentennial Festival activities.  158 pages.  1988.  Sale of this book benefits both the Stephenson County Historical Society and the McConnell Area Historical Society

$20.00

 

 Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment: Volume I

by Dr. Gordon Dammann

Numerous black and white photographs on every page along with descriptions and history.  You do not have to be trained in medicine to enjoy this book - everyone will be shocked and amazed at the medical practices of the era.  Chapters include surgical procedures, bleeding, embalming, disease, and medical insignia and uniforms.  Written by well-known local collector Dr. Gordon Dammann of Lena, many of the artifacts are from his personal collection and are now on display at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland.  100 pages, 1983. Paperback.

   $9.50

 

Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment: Volume II

by Dr. Gordon Dammann

Numerous black and white photographs on every page along with descriptions and history. You do not have to be trained in medicine to enjoy this book - everyone will be shocked and amazed at the medical practices of the era. Chapters in volume two include veterans reserve corps (the invalid corps), hospitals, nurses, uniforms and equipment of the surgeon, hospital steward, medical instruments, medical equipment, ambulance corps, dental instruments, medical documents. Written by well-known local collector Dr. Gordon Dammann of Lena, many of the artifacts are from his personal collection and are now on display at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland.  100 pages, 1983. Paperback.

$9.50

 

Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment: Volume III

by Dr. Gordon Dammann

Numerous black and white photographs on every page along with descriptions and history. You do not have to be trained in medicine to enjoy this book - everyone will be shocked and amazed at the medical practices of the era. Chapters in volume three include education of surgeons, uniforms and equipment surgeons, hospital care and nursing, Sanitary Commission and Christian Commission. Written by well-known local collector Dr. Gordon Dammann of Lena, many of the artifacts are from his personal collection and are now on display at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, Maryland.  100 pages, 1983. Paperback

$9.50

 

Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment

(Three volume set)

Enjoy all of Dr. Dammann’s books at a special rate.

$25.00

 

The Political Career of Stephen A. Douglas: A Catalog of the 2008 Exhibition of Documents from the Private Collection of George A. Buss

As part of the 2008 celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates, we hosted a special exhibition of documents from the life of Stephan A. Douglas. This booklet details each specific item in that exhibition.

$2.00

 

The Present Advantages and Future Prospects of the City of Freeport, Including a Complete Stranger's Guide

A facsimile of a pamphlet printed in 1857 to encourage settlers to Freeport.  Topics include Freeport's position as a railroad center, its organizations, banks, churches educational system and newspaper.  Includes a history of Freeport (up to 1857) and a city improvements made during the year 1856.  Business register contains ads for various businesses.  Great research tool.  Every-Name Index.  56 pages.  2003.  Sale of this book benefits both the Stephenson County Historical Society and the Stephenson County Genealogical Society

$10.00

 

Primary Sources

edited by Suzy Beggin

Sixteen first-person accounts from letters, diaries and newspaper articles on topics such as Freeport's early theatres, crimes in the 19th century, Orangeville's beginnings, an account from a Civil War soldier in Andersonville Prison, and more.  Includes a name index listing every name mentioned - a great tool for students and genealogical researchers.  72 pages.  2001. 

 

 

$5.00

 

Sousa in Freeport: The March King in the Pretzel City, 1897-1928

Edited by Thompson A. Brandt

History of John Phillip Sousa with details on his six visits to Freeport between 1897 and 1928, including transcriptions of newspaper accounts of his concerts and copies of advertisements.  Also includes a complete copy of the souvenir program from his last concert in Freeport, which was part of Sousa's "Golden Jubilee Tour" and the grand opening of Freeport’s Masonic Temple. 50 pages.  Black and white photos.  2004. 

$5.00

 

Suzy’s Musings by Suzy Beggin

Historical tidbits about Freeport and some of the colorful people who lived here. Soft cover.

$15.00

 

The Rise and Fall of the Stephens Automobile by R. E. Stephens

Detailed history of the Stephens cars manufactured in Freeport. Spiral bound, paperback.

$30.00

 

Stephenson County Roads
by Phillip L. Keister

History of the early roads of Stephenson County. 24 pages, includes photos and map. 1954.

$3.00

 

Undaunted Heart: The True Story of A Southern Belle & A Yankee General by Suzy Barile

Taking is back to the era after the Civil War, this book tells of the romance, marriage and lives of Freeport’s General Smith D. Atkins and Ella Swain of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Paperback, 237 pages, photos

$12.00