No comments about Urban playgrounds: an institution of learning for children.(Cover Story): An article from: Parks & Recreation.

No comments about Historic homes of the South-West Mountains, Virginia.

No comments about Disneys Pocahontas: Destiny Calls (Picture Window).

1 comments about Virginia Railway Depots.

1. Virginia Railway Depots by Donald R. Traser Published by Old Dominion Chapter, National Railway Historical Society

   This is a classy book--from the beautiful color painting on the cover, to the attractive layout, to the excellent photo reproduction. A chapter is devoted to each of the 16 major railways which operated in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Each chapter begins with a map of that rail system, followed by a brief corporate history. Various buildings along the line are pictured--some of them one-of-a-kind, some of them standard plans that were duplicated in multiple locations, some of them connected with a special event. While there are some contemporary photographs, many of them are from the great days of steam railroading and feature steam-powered trains, horses and wagons, and people in vintage clothing. Several pages each are devoted to the larger terminals, and architectural drawings are included for use by modelers, over 350 illustrations altogether.

   Unusual photographs show how depots were a vital part of many communities--sacks of Shenandoah Valley peach seeds awaiting shipment from the Woodstock depot for the manufacture of gas masks during World War I; soldiers returning from that war lined up in front of the Staunton depot; wagons of cabbages ready to be shipped from Rural Retreat, the "cabbage capital of the world"; and ambulances transferring wounded children to the train for transport to a hospital following a cyclone which hit a school in Clinchport. The text which accompanies the photos tells as much as is known about when each building was constructed and who built it, its style of architecture, when it ceased to be used or if it is still in service, and when demolished. But there are the human interest stories, too, such as this tale from Windsor depot: "Jack Davis, the last agent to work the depot, recalled stories of young men in the early years of the century drilling holes through the storage area floor [from below] and into whiskey kegs stored there. The kegs would be empty when the owners came to claim them." This is the first comprehensive history of all of Virginia's rail systems and will be an invaluable aid to historians and an enjoyment for all rail enthusiasts.

   Review by Thomas W. Reid 4610 Bunn Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23231 Phone 804-222-4483

1 comments about Rand Mcnally Virginia Peninsula Williamsburg: Virginia.

1. Despite the fact that "Williamsburg" is in the name of this map, the Williamsburg portion of the map is relegated to a small box in the corner of one side. Instead, it's primarily a map of Newport News and surrounding areas. And the part that is of Williamsburg isn't even comprehensive - it cuts off the outlet-mall/Pottery area and the I-64/199 intersection, and there's no close-up of the Colonial Williamsburg attractions. Unless you need street-level detail for the residential areas of W'burg, you're better off with the free map they hand out in the historic area - it's not to scale, but everything is clearly marked and it covers the entire W'burg/James City County area.

No comments about Virginia Peninsula 2004: Street Map Book (Virginia Peninsula Street Map Book).

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No comments about ADC the Map People Stafford County, VA..

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No comments about Virginia State Guide Map.