About the Author

Author Rachel McDaniel gathered snapshots of Pike's past from families who proudly shared their photographic histories. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with degrees in creative writing and journalism and works for the Pike County Journal Reporter.

Reviews

Title: History of Pike County Told Through Photographs
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
Date: 6/6/2011 The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing's popular Images of America series is Pike County from local author and journalist Rachel McDaniel. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by. Nestled between the Pine Mountains and plentiful Flint River, Pike County and its county seat were named after army general and adventurer Zebulon Pike. Early settlers, as adventurous and independent as the county's famed namesake explorer, built homes and raised families extending for generations in the gently rolling acres of central Georgia. Many residents became well known across the state. Austin Dabney, freed slave and Revolutionary War hero, supported the white family who nursed him to health after a crippling battle wound. Journalist Jacques "Jackie" Futrelle became a famous novelist and playwright before losing his life on the Titanic. After training World War I pilots, early aviator Doug Davis returned home to build the first hangar at Atlanta's airport, to make countless barnstorming trips, and to win early racing and aerobatic competitions. Generations of men and women raised families and worked in the fields, orchards, turkey farms, country groceries, and busy canneries, cotton gins, and packing plants. Some served in the military or carried on family traditions like the Jugtown potters. From Indian trails, stagecoach stops, and train depots to paved highways and Zebulon's Crazy Eight Track, Pike County's history is quite a journey. Highlights of Pike County:
? Almost every photograph in the book was gathered from local residents or family members who live as far away as Michigan or New York.
? The evolution of transportation from horses and wagons to coal-powered trains, to early automobiles and the region's first pilots are documented.
? The book shows evidence of Pike County's deadliest tornado which completely destroyed the courthouse bell tower. Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
(888)-313-2665. Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America's people and places. Have we done a book on your town? Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.


Title: Pike's history told through photos.
Author: Rachel McDaniels
Publisher: Pike County Journal-Reporter
Date: 6/9/2011 Local pictorial history is recorded in Images of America: Pike County which showcases more than 200 vintage images of people and places in Pike County. Each of 223 photographs were gathered from local residents or family members who live as far away as Michigan and New York. Early settlers, as adventurous and independent as the county's famed namesake explorer Zebulon Montgomery Pike, built homes and raised families extending for generations in the gently rolling acres of central Georgia. Many residents became well known, including freed slave and Revolutionary War hero Austin Dabney, journalist Jacques "Jackie" Futrelle who became a famous novelist and playwright before losing his life on the Titanic and early aviator Doug Davis who returned home from war to build the first hangar at Atlanta's airport. The book also features photos of Pike's most destructive tornado which destroyed the courthouse tower and much of downtown Zebulon.
The books sell for $21.99 each and will be available at A Novel Experience and other local retailers including City Pharmacy, Concord Cafe and Pike Depot. The author, Rachel McDaniel, will sign books Friday, June 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at A Novel Experience on the square.