Come take a look at the history of Sandwich from its beginnings in the mid-1850s to today. First known as Newark Station, the towns name was changed to Sandwich in 1856 by Congressman John Wentworth, after his hometown in New Hampshire. Wentworth was instrumental in getting the railroad to stop here. Sandwich, surrounded by the fairest and most fertile country, was advertised in 1892 as one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in northern Illinois. Its agricultural implements, made by the Sandwich Manufacturing Company and Enterprise Company, were shipped worldwide. Sandwich is now known for its annual county fair, antique shows, and shopping.

Plano's founders, Marcus Steward and John F. Hollister, along with their families, settled in Kendall County in 1838. Hollister selected the town's name from the Latin planus, signifying "flat" or "plane." With the invention of the first successful harvester in 1861, Plano earned the title of "Birthplace of the Harvester" and established the town as a leading manufacturer of farm implements. It continued to attract a variety of factories, most notably Plano Molding Company, creator of the first plastic tackle boxes. Under the leadership of Joseph Smith III, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints established its national headquarters in Plano. Its original "stone church" is a landmark, as is the world-famous Farnsworth House, designed by influential architect Mies Van Der Rohe.

DeKalb was originally known as Huntley's Grove, named after Russell Huntley, an early settler who was one of its founders. The area had also been known as Buena Vista and DeKalb Center, before settling on the name DeKalb in 1881. The name was derived from Baron Johann DeKalb (1721-1780), a German soldier who served under Washington at Valley Forge and died a Revolutionary War hero. Three august DeKalb men are credited with the invention of barbed wire and began manufacturing it in 1873. Today DeKalb is a world leader in hybrid seed development and genetic research, as well as the home of Northern Illinois University.

"Outside the Rails: A Rail Route Guide from Chicago to Kansas City" is a 334-page route guidebook for passengers traveling Amtrak's Southwest Chief train through Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. Learn interesting facts about the people, place, and history passing by outside the window between Chicago and Kansas City. This book was written by Robert and Kandace Tabern with the Midwest Rail Rangers.

Prosterman shows that the criteria for a good cow, a beautiful quilt, and an excellent squash remain the same at a structural level: straight lines, harmonious combinations, balance, evenness, symmetry. --from back cover.