The History Room at Rowan Public Library

by Gretchen Beilfuss Witt Rowan Public Library

                                                                                   

The History Room at the Rowan Public Library is filled with all kinds of books to facilitate the journey of discovering family connections.  It also houses tons of information on history - the history of Salisbury and Rowan, the saga of the Scotch-Irish in America, the stories of men in the battles and prisons of the American Civil War or World War II, the pictures and recordings of men who experienced the conflict in Viet Nam.  What you may not know is that we also have magazines and journals detailing the interesting discoveries of today’s researchers.  In the latest issue of “Prologue”, the journal of the National Archives,  there is an article about the circumstances surrounding the stay of execution issued by Abraham Lincoln for a Major Wolf captured in Missouri.  The Civil War in Missouri could be characterized as more guerrilla warfare than was the case in the Eastern U.S.  Consequently, the lines between “authorized irregular warfare and criminal behavior blurred.”  Saving Major Wolf gives a little of the flavor of the war there and piques interest in the tales our national documents convey.

Another archive publication, “The North Carolina Historical Review” contains an article written by local NC Transportation Museum historian Walter Turner about the early formation of bus companies in North Carolina that eventually became part of Trailways and Greyhound.  Around 1900, cars started appearing in North Carolina and by 1908, there were six or seven passenger cars available for touring and sightseeing.  By the 1920s, North Carolina became known as the “Good Roads State” having wide concrete highways connecting county seats and other major places of interest.   By the 1930s, three bus companies had come to the fore – 2 in our immediate area – Queen City and Camel City Coach Companies from Charlotte and Winston-Salem respectively as well as Carolina Coach out of Raleigh.  Turner explains the growth of these businesses from the horse-drawn carriages run to bus fleets and the people who made it happen.

                For those interested in the Civil War, the History Room also subscribes to the “Blue & Gray” as well as “Civil War Times” always full of interesting bits on battles, tactics, training and people.  “A Bloody Summer for Horsemen” in the recent issue of “Civil War Times” discusses the initial lack of interest in improving and expanding the cavalry of the Union Army.   In the “Blue & Gray” an article entitled “A Perfect Storm of Contingencies” describes the 1863 raid into Ohio of General John Hunt Morgan who “stood alone as the premier Confederate partisan.”

And for those whose interest lies more in tracing their ancestry.   The History Room has three new subscriptions “Family Tree Magazine,” “Internet Genealogy”, and “The American Genealogist.”  The latest issue of “Internet Genealogy” looks at some mapping websites that help genealogists pinpoint their family photos geographically.  Another article examines the resources available for those researching their WWI ancestors.  “Family Tree” offers explanations of genealogical acronyms and abbreviations, assistance in tracing your roots and even tips on making a trip to the “homeland” a possibility.   “The American Genealogist” explores specific genealogies and offers book reviews of new literature in the field.   Enjoy a visit to the third floor of the Headquarters library and take a little time to explore the many magazines and journals available.