The Great Lakes States Past & Present
This large collection of links is spread over 90 webpages, and covers the U.S. States of Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois & Indiana. We have thousands of free online books & articles, plus collections of maps, documents and periodicals. Below are links to all pages.
– Page Directory –
A Brief History of the Old Northwest, or the Great Lakes region
Biographies & Memoirs
Books and articles on the lives of famous Americans, political leaders, pioneers etc. Also Memoirs.
The Century Past Home Page describes all our free online collections
Cities & Places
Books and articles about towns, cities, counties, and regions. Websites with collections of city and county histories.
Culture
Books and articles about literature, education, sports, theater, fine arts, crafts, journalism, recreation, and architecture.
Documents (Vintage)
Legislative acts, letters, official papers, treaties, and state constitutions. Collections of government documents, manuscripts, portraits, private papers, court records, etc.
Economy
Books and articles about business, economic conditions, work, workers’ organizations, railroads, roads, shipping, farming, manufacturing, banking, medicine, mining, logging, etc.
Government & Politics
Books and articles about territorial governments, state and local governments, political parties, state constitutions, statehood, and legislation.
History
Books and articles meant as histories of a state or region. Works not classified in other categories.
Journals, Vintage Periodicals
History journals, popular magazines, and newspapers.
Maps (Vintage)
Maps from the 1600s through the early 1900s, and links to online historical map collections. Gazetteers, or geographical directories.
Military History
Books and articles about wars in the Great Lakes region and other U.S. wars. Conflict with Native Americans; military actions other than in wars. Works about forts and posts, military operations and military life.
Native Americans
Books and articles about American Indian history, tribes & culture.
Religion
Books and articles about denominations and churches, religious movements, missionaries.
Society
Books and articles about everyday life, women, crime, ethnic groups, slavery and anti-slavery, African American history, immigrants, utopian communities, and social issues.
Travel & Explorers
Journeys and voyages by historical explorers and travelers. Modern travel guides.
Abraham Lincoln
Life of Abraham Lincoln. Biographies, novels; his written works and speeches.
Ships and Boats
Books and articles about shipping on the Great Lakes and rivers.
Pioneer Guides
Hand-books and guides for prospective settlers, “Emigrants’ Guides”, and geographical descriptions.