Offering a delightful look back at 1909, this reprint is enhanced with numerous photographs, and even the advertisements include interesting bits of nostalgia. There is no apology in this proposal from a city seeking to grow, and certainly the person looking for opportunity in an ideal setting would have been impressed. Indeed, one might wonder how many current residents are in Johnson City because their parents or grandparents responded to this invitation from “The City of Opportunity…snugly nestled in the finest spot on God’s big world.”

The Johnson City area was originally settled in 1777 by pioneers from North Carolina with land grants who were dissatisfied with their representation in North Carolina. These local citizens held a convention and formed the state of Franklin in 1784. This state was never recognized by Congress. It fizzled out in 1788, and Tennessee was formed in 1796. More settlers came to the new state, but the area was destined to grow into a city when a combination of railroad connections in the area sparked growth during the late 19th century. In 1903, the creation of the National Soldiers Home brought disabled veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Civil War to Johnson City. Readers of this book will enjoy viewing photographs and reading about early residents, prominent homes, and historic buildings such as the East Tennessee Normal School, which opened in 1911. Many of the more than 200 photographs in this volume have never before been published.

The 2007 Baseball America Directory is the definitive reference guide for the upcoming season. The Directory features major, minor, and independent league schedules, ballpark directions, and how to get in touch with anyone in the game-by phone, fax or on the web. From schedules to personnel to addresses to phone numbers and websites, the Directory is the guide to finding information in baseball, from the majors to the minors to college, high school, and amateur baseball.