New Book Inspires Rural Texas Travel

LITERARY

New Book Inspires Rural Texas Travels

Title: Upper East Side of Texas:

Small Towns & Cultural Districts

Author: P.A. Geddie Publisher: Speckled Crow Media

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By Lisa Tang Local residents and travelers alike will enjoy strolling through the pages of Upper East Side of Texas: Small Towns and Cultural Districts by P.A. Geddie. The County Line Magazine publisher spent two decades discovering and exploring treasures along the region’s backroads and byways and now lovingly shares them in this beautifully illustrated collection of EVENTS EVERY SATURDAY essays. SANTA’S VILLAGE Geddie is a seasoned magazine editor THOUSANDS OF WHITE LIGHTS who focuses on the arts, culture, and ADORNING THE 1901 HISTORIC lifestyles of the region. The experience HARRISON COUNTY COURTHOUSE gives her insight for describing how each small town carves out a niche along the landscape with its own events, festivals, and history. The text is supplemented with works by talented artists and stunning photography of the region’s iconic landmarks. Small Towns is both a travel guide and a journey all its own. It opens with essays that balance the most poignant facts and outstanding attractions of each featured town while inviting readers to explore them on their own time.

Opening descriptions add their own significance to each town like “In the beginning was Nacogdoches” and “In Henderson it’s all about time.” These intriguing statements are carefully balanced with visual elements and white space on each page, offering readers a chance to pause and reflect on their significance. The book first focuses on 30 towns in the region — one town at a time. The journey begins in Nacogdoches in the east, north to Texarkana, west to Paris, south to Rockwall then south again to Corsicana before turning back east to Palestine and Jacksonville. Each town is discussed so thoroughly and distinctly that few can mistake their individuality after reading about the character and unique histories of each.

The second section describes the surrounding areas of each community packaged into 12 districts. “Star Struck” is about towns that sprang up in Rusk, Gregg, and Upshur counties after Dad Joiner struck oil near Kilgore in the 1930s. Similarly, “Whistle Stop” lies along lines of the historic Texas State Railroad and ties Anderson and Cherokee counties.

Readers and travelers alike will discover new journeys in Small Towns & Cultural Districts and find that each becomes more memorable and meaningful. The book is available on Amazon.com.

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