Costco to Host Book Signing for Mercer Island Author

MERCER ISLAND, Wash. - Nov. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- New to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Mercer Island by local author Priscilla Ledbetter Padgett. This pictorial history boasts more than 200 vintage images and provides readers with a unique opportunity to reconnect with the history that shaped their community.

Mercer Island occupies a unique geographic position situated in Lake Washington, just 15 minutes to Seattle or Bellevue, yet semirural in feel. Pioneers first settled the island in the late 1800s, surviving mainly by their own ingenuity as the island lacked even the most basic services. Wealthy Seattle residents built summer cabins on the island to enjoy its bucolic setting.

With the advent of passenger and car ferry services to Seattle, Mercer Island gradually acquired a school, church, and post office, and many other services took root in the community. Residents continued to use rowboats, steamboats and ferries to get to and from the island. Development was slow and cumbersome as all supplies had to be transported by boat.

However, with the opening of the East Channel Bridge in 1923 and the Lake Washington Floating Bridge in 1940, the island gradually evolved into a commuter suburb attracting new residents to its park-like setting and excellent schools.

Priscilla Ledbetter Padgett, an islander for 17 years, is a writer and documentary filmmaker. The images for this book were gathered from state and local archives, museums, libraries and newspapers, as well as state agencies and the personal collections of island residents.

Join the Author for a Book Signing!

Where:  Costco

1801 10^th Ave NW, Issaquah, WA 98027

When:  Friday, November 21st, 2014; 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online. (http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738599564/Mercer-Island)

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.

Mercer Island

by Priscilla Ledbetter Padgett

Images of America series

128 pages/ softcover

Published: May 20, 2013