Muskogee, The Book

Recently, the sun shined more brightly than it otherwise does.  You know how much brighter the sun is after it has quit raining.  Following the rain sweeping particulate matter out of the sky, the sun's rays have a clearer path to Earth.  Well, writing history is somewhat like creating a clearer view of the past. 

The new book, entitled Muskogee by Roger Bell, offers a similar "bright" view. 

Last Saturday, the Three Rivers Museum held a book review and signing by Roger.  I had guests for the holidays and therefore missed the event.  However, I purchased a copy before the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Let me review it for you.

Originally called "Muscogee Station," Muskogee (as we now call the town) was established in 1872.  There were no photographers present to record that event.  However, photographs survive from just a few years afterward.

Roger selected over two hundred images to represent Muskogee's history and culture.  These images begin with Joshua Ross' store that was built about 1874.  Though the photo dates from a few year s later, one really gets an impression of early Muskogee life in a frontier town.

The images illustrate our town's growth as the decades pass one after another.  This is because Roger tells the Muskogee's story graphically in chronological order. 

Chapter one ends with a single page devoted to the town's most disastrous fire in 1899.  The photo on this page clearly shows the destruction that led to Muskogee's rebirth as a modern, well planned community.

Muskogee is yet another in the "Images of America" series published by Arcadia Publishing of Charleston, South Carolina.  However, it is Roger Bell's attention to details that makes this book of 127 pages worthwhile.  

In each caption under or beside an image, Roger gives more than just a description of the photo's subject.  In most cases, he tells us when the event or site either occurred or was built.  With this information, most photographs provide a cinematic view of Muskogee's development.

Roger took great pains to explain why a particular photograph is a representative snapshot of an era.  It is this contribution that makes Muskogee an especially worthwhile purchase.  For example, take the photograph of the Boston Dry Goods Store.

The caption tells that Harry Kirschner opened this store was in 1905.  Roger then explains that Kirschner was responsible for the first Jewish synagogue service in town. 

This caption is typical of the information you will find in this book.  In this case, it reminds us that Muskogee at one time was the home of a larger population of this faith than at present.

Whether it is a business, a sports event, a school or a play, Roger informs the reader clearly.  Just as if the sun is shining more brightly on the past, his captions will stand the test of time.

During this holiday season, you mayl be seeking moderately priced gifts for family and friends.  At $24.00, the book entitled Muskogee will be an excellent choice.  Copies may be purchased at the Three Rivers Museum or at Armstrong Bank.

When you encounter Roger Bell, let him know that you have read his book and appreciate the effort he exerted in bringing it to light.  I know I will happily tell him how much Muskogee means to me.