Notable Residents of Montclair Celebrated in New Book

Local authors honor legendary locals using striking, vintage images

The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Legendary Locals series is Legendary Locals of Montclair from local authors Elizabeth Shepard and Mike Farrelly. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images of the places and peoples that make the area legendary.

In the 1870s, railroads transformed Montclair from a rural retreat to a haven for influential businessmen and artists. They came for the orderly government, excellent schools, flourishing churches, able physicians and attractive families. Actress Laura Keene sought the area's healthy atmosphere after contracting tuberculosis. Civil War hero Dr. J.J.H. Love was influential in organizing the first hospital. Other Civil War notables include Medal of Honor recipient Abram Haring and Gen. John C. Tidball. After famed painter George Inness made Montclair his home, dozens of artists came to be near him and share his influences. Today's roster of artists continues to be amazing: Oliver Lake, Frankie Faison, Horace Ott, George Walker, Olympia Dukakis and Louis Zorich.

Legendary Locals of Montclair shares the inspiring tales of songwriter Herman Hupfeld; Lucy Stone, founder of the American Suffrage Association; medical pioneers Emily and Elizabeth Blackwell; pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick; violin maker Carleen Hutchins; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; inventor Carleton Ellis; and baseball greats Yogi Berra and Larry Doby.

Highlights of Legendary Locals of Montclair:

• Showcases historic images the majority of which are from the local history collection at the Montclair Public Library.
• Highlights people who have made substantial contributions in Montclair and beyond in the areas of business and philanthropy, arts and entertainment, science and medicine, religion, social reform, education and sports.
• Information on some of the founding families who settled in Montclair in the 18th or early 19th centuries including the Crane, Speer, Sigler, Doremus, Harrison, Munn, Baldwin and Riker families.
• Images and stories from the Montclair Art Colony, featuring 19th century artists, George Inness Sr., Harry Fenn and twelve other artists.

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

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 http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/

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