Discover Association Island’s History in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - May 9, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Association Island from local author Timothy W. Lake and the Schenectady Museum. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images of the island resort.

Most people believe the General Electric retreat at Association Island was organized by GE. In reality, it was originally formed by several businessmen from the incandescent lamp industry; these men formed an association of lamp companies to compete with GE. A 1903 fishing trip to Henderson Harbor inspired them to purchase the island for their summer sojourns; however, ownership of the association and the island were eventually absorbed by GE, turning it into a full-scale resort for executives and managers of the ever-expanding corporation.

Hotels, restaurants, garages, boats, fishing guides, managers and maintenance workers from nearby Henderson Harbor were all tied to Association Island for the next 50 years. When GE gave it away, Association Island fell into a long and steady period of decline until it was turned into a camping resort for the 21st century.

Association Island illustrates the financial and social impact of a significant corporation on a small fishing community.

Highlights of Association Island include:
•   Rare images that depict the original founders of Association Island and the early years of the resort.
•   The full story of the formation of the world-renowned Elfun Society, which was founded on the island in 1928.
•   Stories of Prohibition violations on the island.
•   The only picture, known to exist, of inventor Thomas A. Edison while at Association Island.
•   Photographs of the unique architecture of the “tent” cabins.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.