Download or read book Secret Houston A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by William Dylan Powell and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2019-10-15 with total page 333 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What's the best place in Houston to watch ostrich racing? Is there really buried treasure in Hermann Park? Do you know where to catch live jazz on the site of the original Republic of Texas capitol, or enjoy world class Cajun food in a church cloister from the 1800s? You'll find the answers to these questions and more in Secret Houston, your guide to H-Town's offbeat, overlooked and unknown. This book will take native Houstonians and fresh-off-the-freeway Newstonians alike on a behind-the-scenes look at the funkiest bits of the nation's fourth-largest city. Did you know Memorial Park was once a World War I training camp? Or the original use of the Last Concert Café and why its front door was always kept locked? And what's up with that old, mysterious crypt built into the bank of the bayou or that weird golden dome out on the west side? Local writer and longtime Houstonian William Dylan Powell helps you unlock Bayou City's most intriguing, entertaining and arcane secrets in this guidebook to the obscure. Some of these secrets you can enjoy today, while others are merely ghosts, legends or shadows of our city's past. But they're all waiting for you to explore right now in Secret Houston.
Download or read book Secret Oklahoma City A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Jeff Provine and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2021-09-15 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Oklahoma City was called “A City Born Grown” after it went from a population of a handful at Oklahoma Depot to over 10,000 on its first day. Nobody seems to mention how the streets were laid crooked and took 80 years to fix by tearing up half of downtown and that two rival city governments aimed guns at one another until the Supreme Court sorted out who was in charge. And that was only its first six months! Secret Oklahoma City: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure shares the places and stories that you won’t hear in History class, though you probably should! Learn about the Chinese Tunnels that housed hundreds of immigrant workers underground. Visit the Overholser Mansion and see if the lady of the house is still in, sixty years after her death! Gain new respect for animal heroes at the American Pigeon Museum. Find out what a giant milk bottle is doing on top of an old grocery store off 23rd. Speaking of groceries, did you know the grocery cart was invented on the south side of town? Or that the parking meter got its start in downtown Oklahoma City? Oklahoma farm kid-turned-professor Jeff Provine has spent more than a decade learning the lesserknown tales of OKC. Come with him on a tour of the unexpected side of Oklahoma City.
Download or read book Secret Austin A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Cheryl Thomas and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2020-10-01 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Where can you see a spider as big as a school bus? How did the world’s largest flying dinosaur land in Austin? Where is the college dorm room where a struggling student started Dell computers? And why are there thousands and thousands of bats in Austin? Find the answers to these questions and many more in Secret Austin: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Learn about the lost-cause oil rig that became a gusher and funded higher education for generations. Follow in the footsteps of famous Austinites like Janis Joplin, Farrah Fawcett, and Matthew McConaughey. With life long journalists and Austin fans Cheryl and Les Thomas as your guides, you’re bound to find more than a few surprises about Austin—even if you’ve lived there forever. Whether you’re a slacker, an entrepreneur, a poet, or just a bluebonnet admirer, you’ll find Austin’s most fascinating hidden gems, strange history, and obscure trivia in this guide to the “City of the Violet Crown.”
Download or read book Secret Savannah A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Chris Berinato and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2019-10-01 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who is buried under the runway at Savannah Airport? Was “Jingle Bells” really written in Savannah, despite a distinct lack of snow to dash through? And what is the source of that peculiar echo on River Street? Find the answers to these and many more questions in Secret Savannah: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. While it may be renowned for its majestic moss-draped oaks and historic architecture, there are many more things to discover in this beguiling coastal city. Did you know that Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath once tried to turn one of Savannah’s most remarkable homes into a nightclub? Or that Martin Luther King Jr. gave an early version of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Savannah before he delivered it at the Lincoln Memorial? Local author Christopher Berinato has scoured the fringes of greater Savannah to dig up some deep cuts of history, legends, and maybe even a few ghosts. Let his eye-opening guide astound you with fascinating tales of the most charming city in the South.
Download or read book 100 Things to Do in Houston Before You Die Second Edition written by William Dylan Powell and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2018-08-15 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This isn't a book; it's a lifestyle. And you can be a part of it starting right now. This second edition of 100 Things to Do in Houston Before You Die lays out all of the cool stuff you could be doing in H-Town today: from savoring BBQ at Killen's and catching a Summer Chills showing at the Alley Theatre to upscale shopping at the River Oaks District or maybe catching an old fashioned drive-in movie at the Showboat Drive-In, these are the things you can't do anywhere else. Just pick up a copy of this book and keep it handy. When you feel like spicing up your week, flip to a random section. Shouting "Let's Go Dynamo" at BBVA Compass Stadium. Spending a cozy night at Marfreless. Maybe catching up with a friend over Thursday night happy hour at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Voila: instant plans. How easy is that? Don't be the kind of Houstonian who only goes out when entertaining people from out of town. It's important to go and do cool things for yourself, for no particular reason. And this is your go-to guide.
Download or read book Houston Culture Shock Quirks Customs and Attitudes of H Town written by William Dylan Powell and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2020-09-15 with total page 293 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What is so great about living in the loop in Houston? How come people cheer when the price of oil goes up? And how do you pronounce Kuykendahl? If you’re one of the roughly hundred thousand people that moved to Houston in the last year, you’ve wondered all of these things and more. Houston Culture Shock is your guide to the things that make Houston unique that will help you explore the quirkiness, culture, and eccentricities of this city like no other. Get the answers to more questions like what it means to hunker down or is a taco just a taco? Find insider tips for understanding the lifestyle, weather, natural surroundings, local legends, and more. Whether it’s the rodeo, barbecue, or a swanga, this guide will help newcomers navigate the cityscape, food scene, and all the treasured events of this diverse Texas hub. Local writer Dylan Powell presents this lighthearted and comprehensive snapshot of H-Town personality that will make Houstonians nostalgic and Newstonians feel right at home.
Download or read book Shady Characters The Secret Life of Punctuation Symbols and Other Typographical Marks written by Keith Houston and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2013-09-24 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Revealing the secret history of punctuation, this tour of two thousand years of the written word, from ancient Greece to the Internet, explores the parallel histories of language and typography throughout the world and across time.
Download or read book Secret Dallas A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Mark Stuertz and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2018-04-15 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Take an excursion through the weird, the wry, and the wonderful idiosyncrasies that comprise the Big D. From the Playboy Marfa bunny-with-a-muscle-car sculpture, to the ceaseless failed attempts to navigate the Trinity River, to the invention of the computer chip and German chocolate cake, Dallas is the birthplace of the whimsical, the wistful, and the profound. Secret Dallas answers questions about Big D you never knew you had, catapulting you through a portfolio of little-known but fascinating people, places, episodes, and artifacts. Think of it as a scavenger hunt travelogue, providing insights into hidden rhinestones and diamonds in the caliche. Secret Dallas is a riveting excursion into the city's odds and ends, where the rare and the phenomenal express the big, the bold, and the brash in everyone.
Download or read book Lost Houston written by William Dylan Powell and published by Rizzoli Publications. This book was released on 2016-02-15 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A look at how the buildings, streets, and institutions that comprise Houston's cityscape have changed dramatically over the years, and the many that were lost along the waySince its founding in 1836, Houston has become America's fourth largest city. It was a hardscrabble life for the early settlers, but first King Cotton brought wealth to the local economy and then the Lucas Gusher at the Spindletop oilfield made Houston the capital of the American oil and gas business. The old Texas State Capitol was demolished and replaced by the old Rice Hotel, which was then replaced by the 1913 Rice Hotel that stands today. Baseball has been played at Buffalo Stadium, Colt Stadium, and the "EighthWonder" the Astrodome before settling at MinuteMaid Park. The Astros' ballpark occupies the space once occupied by Union Station's platforms and the Houston-to-Dallas Texas Rocket train, both lost to time and progress. Sites include: Camp Logan, Carnegie Colored Library, Houston Chronicle Building. The Binz Building, Original Texas State Capitol, Original Rice Hotel, Old City Hall, Moorish Federal Building, Felix Mexican Restaurant, S.H. Kress and Co., Union Station, Grand Central Station, Trailblazer Monorail, Houston Light Guard Armoury, Luna Park, Metropolitan Theatre, Magnolia Brewery, Streetcars on Heights Boulevard, Waldo Mansion, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Shamrock Hotel, NFL and NBL at the Astrodome, Houston Municipal Air Terminal, and the Sam Houston Coliseum.
Download or read book Secret Detroit written by Karen Dybis and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2018-04-15 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Detroit is known for its automotive heritage, the Motown sound, and American's first mile of concrete highway. But this cityon the river has more than three hundred years of history, and most of it iseasy to experience if you know where to look. There's the Michigan Theatre, theornate movie house turned parking garage with a grand stage looming over itscars. Picturesque Alfred Brush Ford Park once stored nuclear missiles among itsplaygrounds and fishing spots. Then there are incredible landmarks like Detroit'smassive salt mines and a monument to urban graffiti known as the Dequindre Cutas well as the world's oldest operating jazz club. Secret Detroit explores thisgreat American city to investigate everything that is odd, unexpected, andextraordinary. Detroit is the kind of city you need to see and experience tounderstand why locals brag about being from the Motor City. Full of stories andtall tales, this book is a must-have for urban explorers, history buffs, andtravelers of all experience levels
Download or read book Secret Monterey A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by David Laws and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2022-04-20 with total page 377 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Did Sir Francis Drake really claim Monterey for Queen Elizabeth? What does it take to win the world’s worst car show? Why did the new nation of Argentina attack the port of Monterey? Monterey County is known nationwide for its agricultural bounty, a bay bursting with marine life, world-famous golf courses, annual displays of automobile extravagance, and Big Sur, one of the top ten scenic road trips in the nation, but what about the stories and places that don’t appear in traditional travel guides? Secret Monterey: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure reveals the unexpected and little-known stories behind major attractions, as well as numerous other spots replete with mystery and intrigue. Did General Sherman really jilt the beautiful Senorita Bonifacio? Why did activists decapitate a Catholic saint canonized in the US? When will the next “big one” strike along one of the world’s most closely observed earthquake faults? Local author, travel writer, and historian David Laws answers these questions and introduces you to the other side of Monterey County, a trove of unexpected and unique places just waiting to be explored.
Download or read book Secret Mobile A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Amy Delcambre and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2022-10-15 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At a glance, Mobile, Alabama, is a reserved Southern city, steeped in charm, heritage, and history. But look a little more closely and discover a winding tale of revivalist zeal, quirky contradictions, and delightfully ghastly scandals and scoundrels. In Secret Mobile: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, you’ll unearth secrets of the past. People will be quick to tell you that Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in America, and they’ll be even quicker to tell you about Joe Cain, the rebellious firefighter credited with restoring the Mardi Gras tradition following the Civil War, but is that really the whole story? Not even close. As you’ll quickly learn, when it comes to Mobile, there’s always more to the story. Learn why the City of Mobile was twice burned to the ground, what famous presidential quote was uttered in the historic Battle House Hotel, and how a telltale oak grew out of the grave of an allegedly innocent convicted murderer. You’ll explore new terrain—like how to join the city’s most spirited kayaking group, where to find Hippie Beach, and the best way to see the iconic Middle Bay Lighthouse and the cow that lived there. Intrigued? Local author Amy Delcambre is just getting started. She’ll be your storytelling guide to explore all of the unseen threads that make up the fabric of Mobile and help you dive in to untangle the facts and the legends that make up the best of Mobile’s secrets.
Download or read book Secret Iowa A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Megan Bannister and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2023-09-15 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some claim there’s nothing to see in flyover country. But take a closer look and you’ll discover that Iowa is home to more than just cornfields. In fact, across the Hawkeye State you’ll encounter hidden gems and secret spots abound. For instance, do you know where you can find the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel in the world? What about how much the World’s Largest Popcorn Ball weighs? And why did the Los Angeles Lakers pay to build a basketball court in the small town of Carroll? Dive in and discover the state’s offbeat history and quirky places through Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Set course for larger-than-life attractions like Albert the Bull, the World’s Largest Strawberry, and the Grotto of the Redemption. Learn more about Grant Wood’s connection to Iowa by visiting his former home and studio, or travel through time and space to the place where StarTrek’s Captain James T. Kirk will be born in 2233. Even at some of the state’s most well-known places, you’ll discover hidden histories and unique stories that are not often shared. Local author and travel writer Megan Bannister uncovered some of the state’s wackiest attractions to guide your adventure around Iowa. Buckle up, fill up your tank and get ready for an offbeat road trip full of the state’s best kept secrets.
Download or read book Secret Seattle A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Mary Jo Manzanares and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2021-09-15 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Where in Seattle can you get married in a shipping container? What about playing vintage pinball games, visiting a mummy, or renting an elephant? Is the Fremont neighborhood really the center of the Universe? Where can you research the occult, conspiracy theories, and other topics people don’t want to talk about? With Secret Seattle: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure in hand, you’ll discover the unique destinations, colorful history, and wacky legends that make the greater Seattle area such a popular destination in which to live and to visit. You’ll find out if the Seahawks really did cause an earthquake and what happened to the Bubbleator. Researched and written by travel writer Mary Jo Manzanares, this book serves as a guide to places you might never discover on your own. Whether you’re a local looking for something new or a visitor wanting to feel like a local, Secret Seattle lets you in on dozens of secrets around the Emerald City.
Download or read book Secret Reno A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Janice Oberding and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2021-04-01 with total page 295 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With a well-known nickname like the “Biggest Little City in the World,” you might think Reno has no secrets. But you shouldn’t bet on that. For example, What is Reno’s connection to Mount Rushmore? How can you participate in a real-life cattle drive, see a shrunken head, or sip a glass of Picon punch in the midst of poltergeists? Arm yourself instead with Secret Reno: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, and you’ll soon discover these and many more of the city’s secrets and lesser-known adventures. How about a lazy day kayaking down the Truckee River? You might want to climb the world’s tallest artificial climbing wall, or take a stroll where the lynching of an innocent man occurred in 1892. But be warned—his angry ghost is said to haunt the location, occasionally harassing passersby. If you’ve donned your leathers and are all in for a bike ride, you might want to know that Reno has an annual motorcycle rally not to be missed. Local author Janice Oberding loves to find adventure off the beaten path and be your guide to unconventional, but worthwhile, exploration. All you’ll need is here in this book about the Biggest Little City’s secrets.
Download or read book Secret Kansas City A Guide to the Weird Wonderful and Obscure written by Anne Kniggendorf and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2020-09-15 with total page 311 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Most visitors know all about Kansas City’s barbecue, jazz, and football success, but there are hidden gems and wild pieces of trivia around every turn in Missouri’s largest city. Is the giant Hereford bull anatomically correct? Can a seed that’s been to outer space still grow into a normal tree? And who really killed President William Henry Harrison? You’ll find answers to the questions you didn’t know you had in Secret Kansas City: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Learn why three completely unrelated groups have chosen Kansas City as the center of the world and the place you want to be when the world ends. Between these covers, you’ll also find castles, a horse buried in a cul-de-sac, a ghost who likes a good laugh, and the world’s longest snake. This is not a tour guide for outsiders; it’s a scavenger hunt—insiders only, please. Longtime Kansas Citian Anne Kniggendorf is at your service to bolster your love and boost your respect for this middle-of-the-map city. With her eye for the odd leading the way, you’ll have a great time discovering Kansas City.
Download or read book This Used to Be San Antonio written by Gil Dominguez and published by Reedy Press LLC. This book was released on 2021-10-01 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Wandering along the Riverwalk or exploring one of San Antonio’s unique historic neighborhoods, any curious traveler will inevitably begin to speculate about the past. Was that always a church, a market, or a museum? Find the answers to all your musings in This Used to Be San Antonio. From the iconic Alamo that played an indispensable role in the state’s and country’s history to a mansionturned-casino that was originally won in a card game, you’ll get a tour of these places paired with stories that will inform and sometimes surprise. Along the way, you’ll meet a colorful cast of characters who walked through those places in a totally different era. Local author and journalist Gil Dominguez brings an historian’s eye and penchant for detail to this revealing look at his hometown. His fascinating descriptions will bring you a better understanding of San Antonio’s history and culture, from major historical landmarks to prominent churches and military bases, all with a nod to the San Antonians who made these places important. Be transported through three centuries of history and find out what used to be in the Alamo City.
