Perry

by Pamela J. Jenkins, Martha A. Tanner

Overview

Perry came to life in 1869, when town founder Harvey Willis convinced a railroad surveyor to run the train through the town. The "magic" town then boomed almost overnight, as schools, churches, and businesses sprang up. Although the last train left Perry in 1980, the town has proved resilient through the changes of the last 150 years. Fueling Perry's vibrant history are the many people who came to town seeking opportunity. From the arrival of early European settlers to the development of a Latino community in more recent years, Perry continues to be a place for people to set down roots and find a home. Because many threads of Perry's history reflect events happening in the wider world, this community is a lens through which to understand not just the history of small-town America but the lessons it holds for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738561660
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	10/06/2008
Series:	Images of America Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Hometown Perry, Iowa documented Perry's history in a collection of 15,000 photographs donated by community members over a decade. This book traces Perry's history through themes that emerged from that collection: family, faith, work, education, and loss. Pamela J. Jenkins, professor of sociology at the University of New Orleans, has been involved with this research for a number of years. Martha A. Tanner supervised Hometown Perry's research and writing activities as associate director of research from 2007 to 2008.