Discover the Unique History of Great Neck in New Book

MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - July 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Great Neck from local authors Alice Kasten and Leila Mattson. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Originally, Great Neck was a farming community on the North Shore of Long Island. For many years, this forested peninsula produced rich hay, fruit and grain crops. As vacationers from Manhattan discovered the area, farms gave way to summer resorts and large estates.

Well-known writers and actors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ring Lardner and Groucho Marx were drawn to the area, as were many of the nation’s elite families like the Chryslers, Brokaws and Vanderbilts.

Great Neck has homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley and a church with glorious Tiffany windows. A hub of suburban development, Great Neck has always been renowned for its excellent public schools, community-minded citizens, diverse population, parks and cultural activities.

Images of America: Great Neck takes a look at the unique history of the area by showcasing vintage images that depict the allure of this Long Island community.

Highlights of Great Neck include:
•   Rarely seen vintage photographs, which showcase many of the Gold Coast estates that belonged to the rich and famous.
•   Images of the steamboats that regularly commuted residents from Manhattan to Great Neck.
•   Information about Louise and Roswell Eldridge, Francoise and William Barstow and the other residents who have helped develop the area’s library, parks and organizations.
•   Discusses how Great Neck farmers grew hay for New York City horses and brought back manure from the streets of New York to enrich the farms.  The community also operated three grist mills in the 1700 and 1800s.

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.