Civil War Sketch Book

Here at US History we're reviewing the new book by Harry L. Katz and Vincent Virga,  "Civil War Sketch Book - Drawings from the Battlefront".     It's a remarkable collections of drawings from the Civil War with extensive historical narrative.   Soon available.   Publisher is W.W. Norton and Company.   The lowest price we've seen is via Amazon.com at about $33, available via pre-order.

May 2012's National Geographic will be featuring some of this extensive Civil War collection, the largest organized sketch book collection to date.

History Channel Presents "America - The Story of Us"

The History Channel debuts a new series that will chronicle some prehistory and the entire history of the USA , spanning about 400 years. The first two episodes will be about the English settlements in "the new world".

Rebels In 1607, a small group of English adventurers lands in Jamestown. Thirteen years later the Pilgrims settle in Plymouth, New England. These men and women are all driven by the promise of a new life, and all face huge dangers from disease, starvation and conflict...

Obviously a challenge to a complete treatment of the history of the Americas is the fact that *most* of the history of this continent happened before records were kept, and many would argue historians have always given short shrift to the rich native American cultures, economies, and tribal conflicts that defined American history for thousands of years. However it's also true that this history was in many ways "simpler" as the existing evidence suggests that native populations were small and cultures were fairly stable for much of the time preceding the arrival of Europeans.

In any case, "America - The History of Us" promises new insight into the rise of what has arguably been the most successful economic and cultural experiment in all of history ... the United States of America.

CNN: Seven Civil War Stories You Don't Know

CNN has a neat article showcasing seven Civil War Stories that are not common textbook fodder. Among them are Mark Twain and Paul Revere's roles in the war, Lincoln's segregation efforts, and more. Here's the article from Mental Floss

US History through the year 1630

You really should be catching up on your US History because those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and we really don't want that now, do we?

Here are our US History pages for the early eras of Native Americans and the European "exploration" which some would suggest was less exploration than a European invasion and subjagation of native peoples who lived in the Americas at the time. Here at US History and Travel we'd rather have people argue that issue here in the blog comments rather than try to force our opinion on you:

US History through 1630:
Early America Pre-contact.
Native American Origins and Cultures.

Early Exploration of what is now the USA:
The Spanish. The French. The English. Roanoke Island. Jamestown. Leif Ericksson. Christopher Columbus. John Cabot. Sir Francis Drake. Jacques Cartier. Henry Hudson.

Depression of 1929

With all the talk of a coming US recession this photo of a depression era breadline should remind us that things could be a lot worse than they are likely to be here in the USA ever again.
Here is a lot more about the US Depression at our travel and history pages.


Following the crash in 1929, the USA continued to decline steadily into depression.

Banks failed, leaving millions without savings. Factories locked up, shops closed, and most remaining businesses struggled. Governments faced great difficulty collecting taxes.

Atomic Testing Museum, Las Vegas

In Las Vegas if you get bored with the Casinos and nightlife - or even if you don't - you might want to venture just a few miles off the strip to the Atomic Testing Museum, an intriguing set of exhibits that explore the history of Atomic testing which was largely carried out in the huge open desert areas just west of Las Vegas.

Nevada History
Atomic Testing Museum Website

Got History?

Here at Travel, Highways, and History we'd like to hear from you about your local or regional history. If you have historical information or stories you'd like to see at the site go ahead and post them at the comments of this blog or email to: jhunkins@gmail.com and we'll work to get that information in the right parts of our site.

We're also very interested in what types of information you'd like to see here at the website. We've got some of the most detailed US History information anywhere online, and are now combining that with a lot of travel and city information from our other websites. Coming soon are pictures, hotel reviews, weather, and more news feeds.

If you have a blog about your local region or city let us know and we'll help spread the word. There is no better source for travel information than a local, and we'd like to see a lot more locals blogging about travel and history in their region.

Oregon History

The history of Oregon is rich with Native American lore and legend and stories of Europeans and, later, Americans from the East coast who braved the Oregon Trail seeking adventure and a better life.

Sage bark sandals discovered at Fort Rock, Oregon place humans in the state some 13,200 years before present time, and by about 10,000 B.P. there were human settlements over much of the extensive landscape now called the state of Oregon.

The huge Oregon Trail migration of the 1840's brought families west in search of new homes in the fertile valleys near Portland and in Central Oregon. A southern branch of the Oregon Trail, the Applegate Trail, brought settlement to the southern parts of Oregon.

More Oregon History is at the main pages of our US History and Travel website.


The Oregon Historical Society website has more information. They have programs throughout the year featuring Oregon history and other historical themes.

Find a lot more about Oregon Travel at our US History and Travel pages.

Travel and History

Here at Online Highways / US History our mission is to bring travel and history information together. Our US History editors have assembled one of the best online resources for U.S. History anywhere. Our travel information is strongest for the Pacific Northwest but we feature city by city information for all of the USA, several countries in Europe, and even Uzbekistan, thanks to the contributions of our friend Marat who publishes that region's top travel magazine.

Travel and History are a natural combination, and for most cities the history of the community features prominently in their appeal. Here in the Pacific Northwest we enjoy the historical and cultural benefits of the rich and colorful Native American experience in the region as well as the powerfully American traditions of early miners, loggers, and seafarers.

There are stories of heroism, tragedy, hardship, and triumph, and we hope to share some of those with you in the coming months. Also, we'd love to hear from you with any historical notes of interest to tourists and travelers. Post them in the comments or email me personally at this address: jhunkins@gmail.com

Happy travels, and Happy history!

Virginia Frontier Fort circa 1755

Virginia Frontier Fort circa 1755
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

The Hupp Homestead, near Harrisonburg Virginia, was built about 1755. Stone houses like this have held up pretty well in the Shenandoah Valley over some 250 years of use during both the Revolutionary War and the US Civil War.

For more US History visit our main site U-S-History.com

Weaverville CA Gold Stamping Mill

Weaverville CA Stamp Mill
Originally uploaded by JoeDuck

Weaverville, California was home to a lot of gold miners back in the day, as the fast flowing rivers and streams of the gold-rich Trinity Alps gave up their bounty. More agressive mining techniques were used here at the stream behind the stamp mill, where "hydraulicking" water canons blasted aways tons of soil to uncover a the tiny flecks of gold dust that were then extracted via sluices.

Read more about the California Gold Rush at Online Highways.