History of San Angelo Told Through Photographs

July 21, 2011 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is Early San Angelo from local author Virginia Noelke. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Soon after the Civil War, the city of San Angelo developed around Fort Concho. The mission of this western fort was to protect transportation routes, travelers, and settlers as they moved into territory claimed by Native Americans; and the mission of San Angelo was to make money by providing goods that the military personnel wanted and needed.

After Fort Concho created peace in West Texas, it ceased operations. By 1889, however, San Angelo had plenty of dedicated citizens who would create an important western city on the banks of the Concho River. Agriculture was the basis of the economy in early San Angelo, which became a financial and marketing center for a wide region of West Texas.

This book presents fascinating photographs that highlight the early history of a frontier town. The story ends in the late 1920s, when the discovery of oil changed the area dramatically.

Highlights of Early San Angelo:
•   People came to Fort Concho and the Concho Valley from all over the world to participate in and benefit from the boom town opportunities there.
•   Descendents of many of the pioneers mentioned in the book still live in San Angelo and the surrounding area.
•   Before the 1920s, agriculture was the economic activity that created a wealthy and prosperous community.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
(888)-313-2665.

# # #

With more than 6,000 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.