March 16 at Stevens Point Public Library, 6 P.M.
Hello everyone! Next Monday, March 16, I will be at the Stevens Point branch of the Portage County Public Library to talk about Lincoln’s Counterfeiters! 6 PM start.
The library is located at 1001 Main St., Stevens Point, which should be more accessible to Mid-WI fans.
I’d like to take this opportunity to upload a few images from my latest talks. In February I was fortunate to be able to speak at the Niles Historical Society in Chicago. The historical society is located in the old Niles Police Station, which was the locus of anti-mob police work, because it was on the highway leading out of Chicago to Lake Geneva.
The Niles mayor Nicolas Blase had his office on the first floor of the police building. Mayor Blase was a local political fixer, a ‘macher’, and was made an honorary “Kentucky Colonel”! For the organized crime significance of that honor, check out Lincoln’s Counterfeiters. I left a few copies of the book for sale with my hosts so you can still buy them there. Thank you Niles and particularly Barbara at the historical society! A fantastic crowd of historians.
Niles Historical Society guide to Mayor Blase’s office.
Mayor Blase’s office in Niles Police Headquarters.
Me with a smattering of the civic awards Blase was given before he plead in.
#ROOTS
Two days later I was in East Dubuque, IL, right on the Mississippi, in the historic heart of the river community. I was able to chat with a local property owner before my talk and learn about preserving historic riverside properties. East Dubuque is a locus of Illinois gaming and other leisure pursuits, but the town’s historic beauty still shines through. A number of residents came to my meet and greet, each with great questions, and we could have a long history discussion in the beautiful new library. Thank you East Dubuque!!!
A series of highways lines the Mississippi River where local Wisconsin roadways meet the shore.
A local school sits on the hill above the gaming district.
The gaming district.
A victim of Chicago policies, East Dubuque’s shoreline retail buildings house entertainments not available 10 mins north in WI.
Further up the hill from the river an old Catholic neighborhood grew up around the school and local church.
A few blocks south of the bars local residents are renovating beautiful riverfront homes.
Flood-proofing, 19th century style.
Architecture has to contend with the steep banks and water challenges.
