Alton, IL (IMG) (Images of America)
Title: New book documents Alton flood through imagesAuthor: Larry IngramPublisher: Suburban JournalsDate: 4/28/09Vivid black-and-white images of the 1903 flood in Alton bring to life the magnitude of the event.These photos are among more than 200 images in a newly published book, "Alton," by local historian Cheryl Eichar Jett.A freelance writer and a lifelong resident of the area, Jett, of Cahokia, said she talked to the Midwest editor for Arcadia Publishing, John Pearson, about possible topics for a book last year."We talked about several different towns in the Metro East," she said. "He suggested doing a story on Alton."To "apply" for the project, the publisher required Jett to submit 20 sample photos, with lengthy captions, along with an essay about the topic.Published in March, the photo essay book on the river city took Jett about four months to write.The book about Alton is part of Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series.Already, Jett is working on a second book to be published by Arcadia Publishing - on Edwardsville postcards from the turn of the century.As a history consultant and grant writer, Jett said her background in historical research helped her with the project."I've had some (historical) articles that have been published nationally," she said.The majority of her research for the book took place at the Madison County Historical Society and Museum in Edwardsville.Many of the photos used in her book were found there."I know the people at the society and they know me, so (the research) was easy," Jett said. "I did some research in Alton as well, at the (Hayner Public) library."Jett received help from Donald Huber, Alton Township supervisor, who lectures locally on Alton history.Huber is an avid historian who offered his photo collection for Jett's book on Alton."I've collected photos, books and documents over the years," Huber said.He also provided some expertise and photos on the federal military prison that held Confederate soldiers in Alton during the Civil War."I owe him a big debt of thanks," Jett said.Jett's second book will focus on the "postcard craze" that hit the nation from about 1890 to World War I.Jett said Cindy Rinehardt, a member of the Edwardsville Historical Preservation Commission and the Friends of Leclaire, a local Edwardsville preservation group, helped connect Jett with June Nealy, an Edwardsville resident with a "huge" post card collection.The book on Edwardsville is scheduled to be published in the fall.'Alton'Author: Cheryl Eichar JettPrice: $21.99, 128 pages, softcoverOnline: www.arcadiapublishing.com