The village of Matteson was founded in 1855 and named after the 10th governor of Illinois; Joel Matteson. German immigrants were the area�s first settlers; seeking agriculture and business opportunities. The Illinois Central and Michigan Central Railroads provided the stimulus for the growth of one of the first communities to the south of Chicago. The area became popular in the 1890s; when Chicago residents rode special trains to visit the amusement park run by Moses and Freeman Elliott. By the mid-20th century; the town had established itself as a growing bedroom community due to the electrification of the Illinois Central suburban service in 1926 and an increase in residential housing designed for American GIs returning home after World War II. Transportation has always played a key role in the development of the village; which sits at the crossroads of America�s first land grant railroad; the Illinois Central; and the country�s first transcontinental road; the Lincoln Highway. Since the 1970s; Matteson has grown intoa vibrant retail and commercial area for Chicago�s south suburbs.
#435139 in eBooks 2006-07-05 2006-07-05File Name: B0099DTE4W
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. I read this book and its boring and looking the guy up on facebook and reading ...By Gregory R. EspeyI read this book and its boring and looking the guy up on facebook and reading the disgusting comments and nasty dirogatory hyperbole he posts made me sick3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Very interestingBy J. JamisonI bought this book for my husband several years ago. Hes very interested in New Albany history. as am I. and both of us enjoyed it. And its definitely not about one family. its about many families who were part of the towns history. The book is full of pictures from the past and anyone who lives or has ever lived in New Albany will enjoy seeing things as they used to be.6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Regional Best-Seller for a Reason!By Swamp CritterI have read many of the books in the Images of America series. but I have been so impressed with the New Albany book that I have been recommending it to everyone!This book not only provides interesting photos of New Albanys wonderful. historic homes and businesses. but also many photos of the residents of the city that have never been seen. even by those pictured! If you are from the area. you are likely to find someone you know within the covers. Even those readers not from the area have been engrossed in the book because of the fascinating captions that accompany each photo.This has been the main difference between this book and many of the others in the series: Mr. Seidl has done an impressive job with his research and recounts the details of each image with a wonderful sense of history. Each photo tells a story. and I couldnt put the book down until I had read it cover-to-cover.There are also images of the disasters that have struck the river city. from the various floods to the massive 1917 tornado. If you have never seen the destruction events like these have wrought. this book has an impressive collection. And. again. Mr. Seidl provides amazing stories with each photograph. I especially enjoyed the stories he recounts from the individuals involved in the 1917 tornado.What a wonderful collection of stories and images from early New Albany to the not-so-distant past. You must take the time to read this book!
