Wilmington and the Whiteface Region Honored in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - July 29, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Wilmington and the Whiteface Region from the Wilmington Historical Society. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Located in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State, Wilmington lies at the foot of majestic Whiteface Mountain on the West Branch of the AuSable River. Wilmington and the Whiteface Region share many of the area’s activities and attractions.

Once a thriving industrial and agricultural community, the area began transitioning into a popular tourist destination in the late 1800s. Early hotels, such as the Whiteface Mountain House and Hotel Olney, established recreational opportunities for developing tourism. Whiteface Mountain, Whiteface Mountain Ski Center, Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, Santa’s Workshop, High Falls Gorg, and the West Branch of the AuSable River were all destinations for those seeking outdoor adventure. In 1980, Wilmington hosted the Winter Olympic alpine events. Today, it continues to host national and world-class ski competitions.

Highlights of Wilmington and the Whiteface Region include:
•   Includes many images that have been donated from private collections and have never before been published.
•   Showcases photos of notable people, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the John F. Kennedy family, as well as Wilmington entrepreneur and War of 1812 hero Reuben Sanford, Whiteface Highway promoter and hotel owner Frank Everest, Owaissa Club founder Clara Merrill, opera singer Ida Gardner, “Adirondack Hermit” Noah John Rondeau and many more.
•   Discusses the history of Whiteface skiing, including pictures of ski industry legends Otto Schniebs and Walter Prager. The book also shows an image of the entire staff and volunteers who worked at the Whiteface Mountain Alpine Ski Venue during the 1980 Winter Olympics.
•   The proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Wilmington Historical Society.

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.