Columbia

Images of America: Maryland

by Barbara Kellner

Columbia is a planned community that has influenced suburban development since its creation in the mid-1960s. This city of 100,000 grew out of rural farmland, patterned by the best thinkers of its time, including visionary developer James Rouse and a team of consultants such as sociologist Herbert Gans and transportation planner Alan Voorhees. World-famous architect Frank Gehry designed key buildings. Oakland Manor, featuring a barn that is a historical landmark, is one example of the structures preserved to give roots to the new town. Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon grew up in Columbia and has said it altered the course of his life, making him into the writer he is today.

Genres: History

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2005

Reviews

[Kriska · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you move to Columbia definitely should pick this up. Gives you a good glimpse of how Columbia came to be today. Has plenty of old pictures and history. For instance I now know how the Festival of Arts came to be and the first restaurant chain. I just wish though the book could have given more references on different places to visit or websites to check out.

[PD · Rating 4 out of 5]

These local histories are great. It is always worthwhile to learn about the stories and people associated with the places you live.