How American Theatre Has Prevailed Through History

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Despite the development of entertainment forms like cinema, television, and radio, theatre has remained a prominent part of the American entertainment industry. With creations like Vaudeville, American theatre has consistently reinvented itself to remain relevant within the modern entertainment landscape.

The Roots of American Theatre

The history of American theatre begins in the colonial era, long before the United States was a formed nation. Bringing a repertoire from England that included productions like Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Othello, the first American playhouse was started on the Palace Green in Williamsburg, Virginia by merchant William Levingston in 1716. This theatre was closely followed by the opening of the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina in 1730.

The Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, which is currently still in operation.
The Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina, which is currently still in operation. Reprinted from Legendary Locals of Charleston by Mary Preston Foster courtesy of the author (pg. 76, Arcadia Publishing, 2013).

However, theatre in the New World struggled during the 18th century as a result of several factors. Tensions between the colonies and Britain increased, and concerns over the moral implications of both acting in and viewing plays arose. In colonies like Massachusetts or Pennsylvania, laws were passed to forbid the production and performance of plays.

This opinion was supported by many prominent philosophers and even the governing bodies of the era. Prior to the penning of the Declaration of Independence, the first Continental Congress passed the Articles of Association, a document written in response to the British Intolerable Acts. The Articles in part called for a “discountenance and discourage [of] every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially… exhibitions of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions.” As British rule and culture were increasingly criticized in the colonies, tenets of British society such as theatre came to be almost abhorred in the colonies, who attempted to distance themselves from their rulers. As a result, theatre was denounced in the same vein as vices like gambling and animal fighting. 

George Fox, founder and leader of the Quaker faith, was vehemently against the theatre during the 18th century.
George Fox, founder and leader of the Quaker faith, was vehemently against the theatre during the 18th century. Reprinted from Talbot County by R. Jerry Keiser and Barbara Thompson Lewis (pg. 12, Arcadia Publishing, 2006).

Theatre was also religiously discouraged, as major sects of colonial religion (including the Puritans and Quakers) had protested against the development of theatre since the 17th century. These religions believed that theatre could present a danger to the “immortal soul,” and opposed the Christian God. George Fox, the founder of the Quaker faith, went as far as to say he believed music and the stage “burthened the pure life, and stirred up the people’s vanity,” implying that he believed theatre made it impossible for people to lead a “pure” life in pursuit of God.

As a result of these challenges, theatre struggled to gain a true foothold in American culture until the 1800s, when fears over the morality of plays began to subside. That isn’t to say that the American population immediately welcomed actors and playhouses with open arms – early 19th century actors were often viewed as little more than common prostitutes, and while audiences enjoyed productions, acting was not considered a respectable career. It was not until the mid-19th century that actors began to be respected within society, but at this point influential persons (such as authors or politicians) began to receive and entertain actors, indicating their newly-elevated social status.

A minstrel performer in the early 20th century.
A minstrel performer in the early 20th century. Reprinted from Parkesburg by Bruce Edward Mowday for the Parkesburg Free Library (pg. 105, Arcadia Publishing, 2009).

Types of productions during this time period varied widely. While there was some development of a purely “American” theatre, with plays like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “The Octoroon; or, Life in Louisiana written by early American playwrights, minstrel shows dominated as a the popular entertainment form. Minstrel shows, which consisted of skits which mocked people of African descent, were primarily performed by white actors in blackface. The shows date back to the 1830s, but continued until the early 20th century, with the last professional minstrel shows being performed near 1910. While minstrel shows continued in informal settings past the 1910s, they fell into disfavor as the Civil Rights Movement began to gain traction during the mid-20th century, and had mostly ceased by the 1950s.

Vaudeville and Pre-World War II Theatre

By the 20th century, minstrel shows had mostly fallen to the wayside in favor of vaudeville. Vaudeville productions consisted of multiple unrelated acts grouped together on the same playbill, and began rising in popularity during the 1880s. By the 1900s, Vaudeville performances included anything from trained animals to one-act plays and magicians. Many celebrities of the era got their start on the Vaudeville stage, including comedians Abbot and Costello, singer Judy Garland, and novelty act Harry Houdini, amongst others.

Harry Houdini was a popular Vaudeville act of the 20th century.
Harry Houdini was a popular Vaudeville act of the 20th century. Reprinted from New York City Vaudeville by Anthony Slide (pg 62. Arcadia Publishing, 2006).

Vaudeville performances continued well into the 1930s, and remained popular until the advent of World War II. Even after the last of the Vaudeville stages had cleared, however, the influence of the art form could be felt in early film, radio, and TV – film and TV comedies frequently adopted comedic Vaudeville tropes, like “using the hook” to clear out a bad act. Some Vaudeville actors eventually made the transition from stage to cinema (like Judy Garland), although others simply retired. In addition, Vaudeville helped to directly inspire the variety shows of the 1950s and 60s, such as The Ed Sullivan Show and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.

Traditional theatre also rose in prominence and distinction between 1900 and World War II, and theatre personalities attained a status similar to modern movie stars in what was an early form of the Hollywood celebrity. Families of actors such as the Barrymores dominated the theatre scene (and have continued to dominate in film). In addition, traditional theatre gained the support of the US government with President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Federal Theatre Project, which ran from 1935 – 1939. The project, which aimed to provide jobs to actors, writers, and directors who had been unemployed due to the Great Depression, successfully produced 830 major titles during its four years of operation, and employed over 12,000 people.

However, the success of theatre came into question with the development of sound cinema throughout the 1920s and 30s. As cinema became a more popular form of entertainment, live stars began to struggle to make a living, unable to compete with their cheaper-price silver screen counterparts. As a result, while Vaudeville performers and comedians largely did not survive the transition to cinema (unless they were to join cinema themselves), somewhat less common forms of the stage came to the forefront, particularly musical theatre. Productions like Show Boat and Anything Goes became increasingly popular, and by the 1940s musical theatre had entered a so-called Golden Age, with composers like Gershwin and Rodgers & Hammerstein dominating the stage.

Post World War II and Modern Theatre

The decades following World War II saw the true international fame of American theatre. Productions like The Crucible by Arthur Miller in 1953 and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams in 1947 became international sensations, and Williams’ play was produced on the London stage by 1949. Musical theatre also maintained its popularity following WWII, and developed along with traditional theatre into more daring productions during the 50s and 60s.

As modern society began to develop, musical and dramatic theatre progressed into “agenda” theatre, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. This type of theatre attempted to address the social justice issues of the era, and musical productions such as Hair and West Side Story referenced subjects such as drug culture, racism, and cultural divides. As a result, drama has historically become a way for playwrights to address social rights issues, personal experiences, and pass their own judgment on society.

While cinema had presented a large challenge, theatre struggled more-so to compete against the rise of radio and television. Once again facing competitors that were much cheaper than traditional shows, the struggle of the theatre was compounded by the admissions tax, a tax only applied to businesses which charged an admissions fee to patrons (such as amusement parks, athletic events, or the theatre). While the admissions tax was implemented in 1918, it was doubled in 1943. As a result, the combination of taxes and a declining number of patrons have made it difficult for playhouses to turn a profit even in the modern day.

To combat the loss of revenue experienced during the mid-20th century, theatre at the turn of the 21st century began to borrow heavily from cinema and literature – productions like Disney’s The Lion King have been massively successful nationwide, and have led to other films being adapted to the stage, such as Disney’s Aladdin, Mary Poppins, and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. In addition, literature has helped to inspire composers, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber’s renowned The Phantom of the Opera, which is currently the longest running show in Broadway history since premiering in 1986.

Today, Broadway productions have built on the success and revitalization of both agenda theatre and cinema-based musicals, with productions becoming more elaborate and expensive. Popular modern musicals, such as Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton and Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked have proven successful with modern audiences, while dramatic productions such as Tony Kushner’s Angels in America continue to address social justice concerns. In a country that has endured major periods of transformation in its relatively short existence, American theatre has remained a popular form of expression due to its ability to adjust to changing times and trends – a fluid industry that adjusts to the social setting it finds itself within.

Haunts of the Founding Fathers: 7 Most Historic US Taverns

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The Founding Fathers have fueled interest since the formation of the United States nearly 242 years ago. Historic sites nationwide have been erected to honor the men who helped to create this country, and numerous places these great men frequented have been preserved for the sake of American heritage. During the 18th century, the center of social and political life could be found at the town tavern, and the Founding Fathers were known to frequent several in the colonies.

We’re highlighting some of America’s oldest watering holes, where you can still share a pint the way the Founding Fathers may have nearly 250 years ago.

City Tavern: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While it could be said that the entire city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a testament to Benjamin Franklin (the city even has its own “Benjamin Franklin Parkway”), those searching for a place to eat might try City Tavern, located in Independence National Historic Park. First commissioned by city citizens in 1772, the pub opened for business in 1773, and was described as the “most genteel tavern in America” by figures like John Adams.
City Tavern was a favorite haunt of several Founding Fathers, including George Washington, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Franklin especially was known to hang out in the inn’s dining room, and the bar quickly became an epicenter of early American political culture, even serving as the designated gathering point for delegates before and after official Continental Congress meetings.

Unfortunately, the original City Tavern building was badly damaged in an 1834 fire, before being razed completely in 1854. During the 1970s, an accurate replica of the original building was built on the site, which has been in operation since 1976.

Today, you can try 18th century classics like West Indies Pepperpot soup at the pub, before finishing your meal with the “Poor Richard’s Tavern Spruce,” a beer brewed from a recipe written by Benjamin Franklin during his time as ambassador to France. The menu also features an ale brewed from Thomas Jefferson’s personal recipe, and other 18th century classics like braised rabbit.

Fraunces Tavern: Financial District, New York City

Once upon a time, New York City was not only the most populous city in the United States, but was also the nation’s capital. During the time of the Founding Fathers, New York was considered the center of American life. This heritage can be seen all over the city, but history enthusiasts will find the city’s oldest building at the Fraunces Tavern, which has been in operation since before the Revolutionary War.

Fraunces Tavern, located in New York City’s financial district. Reprinted from New York City’s Financial District in Vintage Postcards by Randall Gabrielan (pg. 47, Arcadia Publishing, 2000).

Although the site of Fraunces Tavern has been in use since 1671, it was not utilized as an inn until 1762, when owner Samuel Fraunces opened the building as a tavern called the Queen’s Head. The pub became a popular meeting place of the revolutionary group the Sons of Liberty, and was used as the site for Washington’s peace negotiations with the British at the end of the Revolution.

Fraunces was also the famed site of Washington’s farewell to his troops following the Revolution. Meeting in the Long Room of the tavern, Washington thanked his officers for their work during the Revolution, before taking his leave for Mount Vernon.

Today, Fraunces Tavern continues to operate as a bar and restaurant, offering upscale cuisine. The site also has the Fraunces Tavern Museum, which offers tourists the opportunity to see restored versions of the Long Room and Clinton Gallery, a federalist-style dining room. The museum and restaurant are open seven days a week to the public.

Bell in Hand Tavern: Boston, Massachusetts

At the heart of Boston’s government district, you’ll find the nation’s oldest continuously operating tavern, the Bell in Hand. The small pub is a clear testament to its institutor’s previous work: founded by Boston’s last town crier Jimmy Wilson in 1795, the tavern was named after Wilson’s infamous bell. Wilson was a well-known figure in 18th century Boston, and reported on some of the biggest events of his time, including the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Wilson soon became just as famous for his bar as he had for his news reporting. Frequented by figures like Daniel Webster and Paul Revere, the Bell in Hand’s shining star was its cream ale, which was so thick it required two mugs – one for the ale, and one for its froth. Wilson didn’t believe in the “hard stuff,” so the cream ale was strongest drink the tavern sold until 1919.

The Bell in Hand Tavern dates back to 1795. Reprinted from Boston Beer: A History of Brewing in the Hub by Norman Miller courtesy of Sara Withee (The History Press, 2014).

Today, however, the Bell in Hand offers much more than that famous ale. Featuring live music and DJ’s every night, the Bell in Hand is a neighborhood bar that becomes a popular nightclub once the sun goes down. A favorite of local 20 somethings, the pub is still located at its original site near historic Faneuil Hall.

The Green Dragon Tavern – Boston, Massachusetts

Although Boston is already deeply steeped in American history, those looking to walk the trail of the Founding Fathers should stop in at the Green Dragon Tavern. Although the Green Dragon isn’t located in its original building (which was razed during the 1850s), you can still see a small sketch of one of the oldest taverns in America on its current walls.

A sketch of the original Green Dragon Tavern, which hangs in the current Green Dragon Tavern (on the right). Reprinted from Boston Beer: A History of Brewing in the Hub by Norman Miller, courtesy of the Boston Public Library and Sara Withee (The History Press, 2014).

Founded in 1654, the Green Dragon is technically Boston’s oldest bar, and previously served as one of the general meeting places for several revolutionary organizations, including the Sons of Liberty and the Boston Caucus. Legend has it that this pub is where Paul Revere first heard of Britain’s plans to march on Lexington and Concord, leading to his famous journey by horseback. What is true, however, is that Revere started his famous night-ride to Lexington from the original Green Dragon in 1775.

Revere was not the only Revolutionary hero to patronize the tavern, however – John Hancock and Daniel Webster also frequented the Green Dragon, with Webster dubbing it the “headquarters of the revolution.” Indeed, events like the Boston Tea Party were planned within the pub’s walls. Today, the bar is located in a small space in Boston’s North End, and caters to a young crowd on most nights, like its contemporary the Bell in Hand.

The Ordinary – New Haven, Connecticut

Once known as Beers Tavern, Ordinary has been around since the 1600s, when it first opened for business only some 20 years after the founding of the city of New Haven. The pub has held several roles over its long history, ranging from general shop to bookstore, but during its earliest days, the bar maintained a successful inn. During the Revolutionary Era, Isaac Beers led as the Ordinary’s innkeeper, leading to the moniker of Beers Tavern. Under Beers, the Ordinary found itself at the center of New Haven’s political activity, as local leaders used the building as an unofficial meeting place.

This choice to frequent the bar led to the Ordinary’s historic association with the infamous Benedict Arnold, who rode to the pub in 1775, demanding the keys to the town’s powder house from the Town Selectman. His objective was singular: to bring New Haven’s militia to assist the Patriots at the beginning of the Revolution. His ride was successful, and New Haven’s militia journeyed to Cambridge, Massachusetts following the British attacks during the Battle of Lexington. Several years later, Arnold would betray his comrades and the militia he led by joining the British army in 1780.

The inn also hosted several famous guests, including General George Washington, who stayed at Beers Tavern for a night with Martha Washington on his way to Cambridge, Massachusetts. The bar still proudly commemorates this fact with a plaque on the building’s wall, which details Washington’s route through New Haven.

After Beers’ time as innkeeper, the Ordinary went through several owners, before being torn down to create the New Haven Hotel in the mid-19th century, which was subsequently replaced with the famous Hotel Taft in the early 20th century. Both of these hotels called back to the site’s original tavern, however, with the Taft featuring a full bar called the “Tap Room.”

Since the closing of the Taft Hotel, the Tap Room has been renovated by several proprietors, but is today headed by four restauranteurs, who have revived the bar in its early 20th century style. Today, the Ordinary features Prohibition-era cocktails and modern cuisine, while keeping its long history alive.

The White Horse Tavern – Newport, Rhode Island

The White Horse Tavern in Newport, the oldest tavern in the US. Reprinted from Pirates of Colonial Newport by Gloria Merchant courtesy of Helene Scola (pg. 52, The History Press, 2014).
The White Horse Tavern in Newport, the oldest tavern in the US. Reprinted from Pirates of Colonial Newport by Gloria Merchant courtesy of Helene Scola (pg. 52, The History Press, 2014).

Restaurants frequently look for a claim to fame, and the White Horse Tavern holds the distinction of being the oldest tavern building in the United States. Originally built in 1652, the White Horse opened for business in 1673 under the direction of William Mayes. The large, spacious pub served various purposes beyond offering libations, including as a meeting house for the Rhode Island General Assembly, Criminal Court, and Newport City Council.

In 1702, William Mayes Jr. succeeded his father as innkeeper at the tavern. Mayes was well-known in the Rhode Island colony for his previous career as a pirate in the Indian Ocean. After returning home with prize money gained from exploits near Madagascar, Mayes took up his place as innkeeper. Although much-loved and protected by Newport locals, Mayes’ previous life was an embarrassment to British officials, who eventually had him replaced by his sister and her husband.

During the Revolution, the White Horse was largely abandoned by colonists, and the building was used to house Hessian mercenaries and British troops while Britain occupied Newport. Following the war, colonists and locals returned to the tavern, where it continued to serve as a bar until the mid 19th century.

After time as a boarding house and a restoration, the White Horse returned to its original status as a bar and restaurant in 1957. Today, the White Horse’s colorful history often lands it a spot on lists of “bucket-list bars,” and it continues to host guests on both floors of its original building.

Gadsby’s Tavern –Alexandria, Virginia

Located in Old Town Alexandria, Gadsby’s has been at the center of Alexandria’s cultural life since its founding in 1785. Although it is today a historic staple of Alexandria, Gadsby’s was not the first tavern to be located at its present site – the lot has been occupied by a variety of taverns since as early as 1749.

Once Gadsby’s was established, however, it became a well-known local meeting place. Hosting dance assemblies, meetings, and even theatrical performances, the pub and its inn were popular amongst locals and Founding Fathers alike. Guests like John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison were all fond of the tavern, and the establishment is perhaps best known for hosting its annual Birthnight Ball, given in honor of George Washington. This ball was attended twice by Washington himself – once in 1798, and again in 1799.


However, by the early 1900s, the tavern buildings had fallen into disrepair and were abandoned. After major restoration work from a series of historic societies (including the Alexandria Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution), Gadsby’s was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1963, and was reopened in 1976 for the nation’s bicentennial.

The historic Gadsby’s Tavern in 1878. Reprinted from Gadsby’s Tavern by Gretchen M. Bulova courtesy of ALSC (pg. 15, Arcadia Publishing, 2015).

Today, Gadsby’s Tavern operates as both a restaurant and a museum, which features daily tours. The restaurant (leased by a private restauranteur) offers a menu that mixes both fine-dining with period dishes, served at tables set in the 18th century style.

Fun Fact Friday: What exactly is a covered bridge?

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Sometimes called “kissing bridges,” covered bridges can be found in over half of the United States, providing protection to pedestrians and vehicles alike. These bridges have a long history in America, and many are listed within the National Register for Historic Places. Read on to learn more about these iconic bridges, and to see some of our favorites still standing today!

So what is a “covered bridge?”

In its most basic form, a covered bridge is a timber-truss bridge that has both a roof and siding. This roof and siding can create either a completely enclosed, or almost enclosed structure. The “truss” in a truss bridge refers to the architectural design of the bridge’s support beams – trusses typically form a series of triangles to provide support to a structure. There are at least eight different types that have been historically used in bridge construction.

The Smolen-Gulf covered bridge, the longest covered bridge in the United States.
The Smolen-Gulf covered bridge, the longest covered bridge in the United States. Reprinted from Ohio’s Covered Bridges by Elma Lee Moore (pg. 124, Arcadia Publishing, 2010).

While popular folklore may refer to many of these bridges as “kissing bridges” for their reputation as a rendezvous point for young sweethearts, most covered bridges were built with a much simpler purpose: to protect the wooden bridge beneath from the elements. A typical wooden bridge will only survive 10-15 years if not covered. Before the advent of iron and steel, it was vital to protect bridges from damage, so that they could extend the life of what was a typically expensive bridge.

Covered bridges were especially popular in America prior to the steel revolution, and some states had over 1,000 covered bridges at their peak. However, these numbers have significantly reduced, as many were either replaced after the creation of steel bridges in the late 19th century, or have simply deteriorated due to their age. Those that have survived have found themselves as National Historic Sites, visited by thousands of fans yearly.

Our Favorite Fun Facts about Covered Bridges

While they may seem simple, there’s plenty of fun trivia about covered bridges in America:

  • Land of the Most Covered Bridges: Although Pennsylvania was the leader of the steel revolution, it seems that they thought steel bridges should only be used in other states. Covered bridges were built long after the advent of iron in the Keystone State, and today Pennsylvania has the most covered bridges in the country, with about 219 still in existence.
  • A Covered Bridge Festival: For the covered bridge enthusiasts, Parke County, Indiana hosts a yearly fall festival called the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. The festival celebrates the county’s 31 covered bridges, the most of any county in the United States. The festival is extremely popular, with over 2 million attendees each year!
The Longdon Covered Bridge in West Finley Township, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any state in the country.
The Longdon Covered Bridge in West Finley Township, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has more covered bridges than any state in the country. Reprinted from Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges by Fred J. Moll, courtesy of Thomas E. Walczak (pg. 94, Arcadia Publishing, 2012).
  • The Longest Covered Bridge in the World: While Pennsylvania may have the most covered bridges, California has one of the longest in the world. The Bridgeport Covered bridge is the longest clear span bridge in the world, measuring at 233 feet long. Built in 1862, the state set aside $1.3 million USD in 2014 to restore the bridge in two phases. It was registered on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
  • The Bridges of the Entertainment World: Covered bridges are featured in several American books and movies, most notably The Bridges of Madison County, where historic covered bridges serve as the main setting and focal point of the story. A covered bridge is also the main setting for Edgar Allan Poe’s “Never Bet the Devil Your Head,” where a man is gruesomely beheaded.
  • The Oldest Covered Bridge in America: The distinction of oldest covered bridge in the US goes to Hyde Hall Bridge, located in Glimmerglass State Park, New York. Built in 1825, the bridge was originally located on private property within the Hyde Hall estate. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, and was last renovated in 1967.

A Gallery of Covered Bridges

With so many covered bridges throughout the county, we’ve gathered some of our favorites here to share with you!

Hyde Hall bridge, the oldest covered bridge in the US.
Hyde Hall bridge, the oldest covered bridge in the US. Reprinted from New York State’s Covered Bridges by Bob and Trish Kane (pg. 41, Arcadia Publishing, 2014).
The new Arthur Smith Bridge in Lyonsville, Massachusetts. It was completed in 2006.
The new Arthur Smith Bridge in Lyonsville, Massachusetts. It was completed in 2006. Reprinted from Massachusetts Covered Bridges by John S. Burk courtesy of the author (pg. 54, Arcadia Publishing, 2010).
Bennett’s Mill Bridge in Greenup County, Kentucky. This bridge was built in 1855, and last renovated in 2004.
Bennett’s Mill Bridge in Greenup County, Kentucky. This bridge was built in 1855, and last renovated in 2004. Reprinted from Kentucky’s Covered Bridges by Robert W.M. Laughlin and Melissa C. Jurgensen courtesy of  the author (pg. 119, Arcadia Publishing, 2007).

6 Famous Breweries You Need to Visit

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Brewing beer has a long history in the United States. It dates back to colonial life, and despite receiving pushback during Prohibition in the 1920s, has remained an enormously popular part of life in America. From small microbrews to large scale breweries, beer is being produced across the scale. These are 6 famous breweries producing some of the nation’s most beloved beers.


Specialty beer brewed for Central Oregon Beer Week 2013; participants who found a gnome were awarded passes to the little woody. Image sourced from Bend Beer: A History of Brewing in Central Oregon

1) Deschutes Brewery

Founded 31 years ago, the Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon believes that beer brings people together. Gary Fish founded the company as a small brew pub in downtown Bend, naming it after the neighboring Deschutes River. In its first year, the young brewery sold 310 barrels of beer. Like the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., the Deschutes Brewery is committed to sustainability, seeking to have only a positive impact on the surrounding community. It’s most known for its earliest products: Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale. The brewery distributes to 28 states and internationally. In 2012, Deschutes Brewery shipped 250,000 beer barrels within the United States.

2) Boston Beer Co.

Owning more than 60 types of Samuel Adams beer, the Boston Beer Co. is one of the largest and most popular beer manufacturers in the nation. The company’s signature beer was named after Samuel Adams, a Founding Father of the United States and Revolutionary War patriot. Boston Beer Co. also owns the popular Angry Orchard franchise which launched in 2012. James “Jim” Koch and Rhonda Kalman founded the company in 1984. Koch comes from a long line of brewers and, using the family recipe for Louis Koch Lager, the young brewer created his first batch of the beer in his kitchen.

2) Alaskan Brewing Co.

Aeriel view of Alaskan Brewing Company in 2003. Image sourced from Alaska Beer: Liquid Gold in the Land of the Midnight Sun

The Alaskan Brewing Co. located in Juneau, Alaska has won regional, national, and international awards for its craft beers. It was founded in 1986 by Marcy and Geoff Larson and the two still run the company today. The state itself has a long history in brewing, beginning when miners arrived for the 1700s Gold Rush. Modern beer produced in the region still resembles this early brew, using the same alder-smoked malts and Sitka spruce tips to give smell, taste, and color to their beers. Since its opening, the Alaskan Brewing Co. has become one of the most award-winning breweries at the Great American Beer Festival and distributes to 22 states.

4) Oskar Blues Brewery

With locations in North Carolina, Texas, and Colorado, the Oskar Blues Brewery is one of the largest producers of beer in the nation. They began brewing in the basement of a pub in 1999, but by 2002 was the first beer to distribute their craft beer in cans. This decision helped the brewery rise in popularity. In 2009, the brewery hosted the “Burning Can” event that invited breweries who were distributing their craft beer in cans to gather. They began using resealable cans for their distribution 2012 and were named one of the hottest brands of the year in 2010 by Advertising Age. During their lifetime, Oskar Blues Brewery has proven themselves to be one of the fastest growing beer companies in the county.

5) Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Two generations of family brewers: Brian (left) and Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing’s East Coast facility in Mills River. Image sourced from Western North Carolina Beer: A Mountain Brew History

“Freedom’s in the wild places, and so are the best beers you’ve ever had.” In the 1980s, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. entered the brewing scene and is one of the earliest sustainable breweries. With a rough set of pipes, pumps, and tanks, Ken Grossman started the company hoping to change the course of brewing in America. After several attempts, Grossman finally mastered the Pale Ale recipe with its signature pine and citrus aroma and helped ignite the county’s craft beer revolution. By 1994, the company’s production was increasing by 50% several years in a row. Slowly, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened breweries on the American East Coast and in Germany.

6) Uinta Brewing Co.

Uinta Brewing Co. began brewing beer in a renovated garage during a frigid Salt Lake City winter in 1993. Their signature beer is the Cutthroat Pale Ale, named after the state fish. The most popular beers that followed would all get their name from a notable part of the state. In 2001, Uinta Brewing became the first company to be 100% powered by wind and they installed solar panels on the brewery roofs in 2011. As of March 2015, Uinta sells their beers in 32 states and Washington D.C.

Brewing craft beer is an art that these companies have mastered. Their creative brewing and business strategies made them into industry successes.

How Charleston Became the Nation’s #1 Destination City

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Charleston’s repeated appearance at the top of the favorite city list since 2013 may come as a surprise to some, but after taking a close look at what the city has to offer, it’s no shock at all. From the food to culture and style, Charleston is always sporting something new and exciting!

The Story of the Holy City

Large amounts of foreign traffic isn’t new for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. In 1670, the city, originally called Charles Town, was founded and settled by English colonists. By the mid-eighteenth century, it had grown into a booming seaport, housing goods and people from all over the world. This, combined with the cultivation of rice, cotton, and indigo, built Charleston into one of the South’s most prosperous cities.

Throughout the 18th century, Charleston flourished. Drayton Hall was built in 1742 and Middleton Palace in 1755. Then, in 1780, during the Revolutionary War, Charleston was captured by the British. Luckily, two years later, the British were forced to retreat, and in 1783, the original name of ‘Charles Town’ was changed to today’s Charleston. By 1800, the city’s population had reached 20,000, making it one of the five most densely populated cities in the country at that time.

Charleston experienced a halt in its growth during the Civil War. In April 1861, Confederate soldiers attacked the Union-occupied Fort Sumter, a collision that ignited the Civil War. While the city struggled to recover after the war demolished most of its resources and harbor traffic, it accidentally became a historical and cultural museum. Due to a lack of funds to rebuild damaged buildings when the war finally ended, Charleston chose to instead repair the existing buildings, thus preserving much of the original architecture.

 A post-Civil War Charleston drifted away from its agricultural profit, and focused its economy on trade and industry. The Navy Yard, constructed in 1904, assisted with the city’s influx of traffic in the 20th century. An increase in port activities through the century lent to Charleston becoming one of the nation’s most prosperous cities. Most of the internal revenue comes from the Charleston Naval Base, a boom in the local biotechnology and medical research industries, and tourism. The city of Charleston estimates that 7 million people visit the city annually, bringing in roughly $7.37 billion in economic revenue.

A 20th century photo of Market Hall, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Charleston. Reprinted from Charleston: Alone Among the Cities by the South Carolina Historical Society (pg. 71, Arcadia Publishing, 2000).

Visiting Charleston Today

Walking through the streets of Charleston, one experiences a delightful collision of old and new. Antebellum homes from the Civil War Era have been expertly preserved and are open to the public, capturing a tumultuous and prosperous era in Charleston’s history. Homes like the Joseph Manigault House, the Joseph Heyward-Washington House, and Drayton Hall, known by local lore for its ghostly residents and unexplained phenomena, are a few of the most popular. The Fort Sumter National Monument is one of the most famous landmarks preserved from the Civil War. Visitors can wander the fort and learn about the battle that sparked the Civil War.

To see historic Charleston in its fullest form, one can tour the original neighborhoods by a horse-drawn carriage, visit the Dock Street Theatre, gaze down the mind-bending spiral staircase at the Nathaniel Russell House, and visit the Magnolia Plantation and Garden founded by the Drayton family in 1676. Visitors cannot leave the city without strolling down the Battery – a stretch of impressive seawall named after a coastal defense landmark from the Civil War era located on the stretch. Charleston is well-known for streets lined with grand southern live oaks, covered in Spanish moss, and South Carolina’s state tree, the Cabbage Palmetto. Along the waterfront is the most famous of these streets, Rainbow Row, with its line of pastel colored houses.

Over the years, Charleston has proven itself to be an ever-changing city with the introduction of new attractions to accompany its historical ones. A modern architectural wonder, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge was completed in 2005 – this eight-lane bridge connects the nearby town Mount Pleasant to Charleston and is the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the Western Hemisphere. The bridge includes a bicycle path for visitors to use as a new vantage on Charleston’s skyline. Along with the Ravenel, downtown’s Pineapple Fountain adds to the city’s tropical motif and is meant to symbolize the Charleston’s renowned southern hospitality. Returnees and new visitors alike should walk through Brittlebank Park, known by locals for its outdoor recreational activities, most commonly hiking, biking, and fishing.

The pineapple fountain in downtown Charleston. Reprinted from Charleston, SC: Cool Stuff Every Kid Should Know by Kate Boehm Jerome (pg. ix, Arcadia Publishing, 2008).

All this draws 7 million tourists every year, a number that has increased exponentially since the city was first named the #1 travel destination in 2013. However, the sharp increase in tourist traffic in recent years hasn’t come without some hesitation from locals. They worry a higher demand will increase the cost of living, and force the prices of both hotels and food to reflect this for visitors and locals. Still, tourism serves as a major source of revenue for the city. Charleston’s notoriety has people from all over the globe making this southern city their new home.  

Much of Charleston’s charm comes from its ability to balance a robust history with the intense demands of modernity. In refurbishing much of its foundation after the Civil War, Charleston inadvertently preserved decades of historical buildings, forts, and monuments that are favorite sites for tourists to visit today. While this part of the city remains firm in its place, Charleston as a whole is an innovative city with some of the most renowned restaurants and cultural centers in the modern day. This track record for innovation has led to the city being named one of the top 25 art destinations by AmericanStyle magazine.

For those traveling on vacation to Charleston, walking the city streets means strolling through finely preserved history. Charleston has proven itself to be a dynamic and lively city that is always trying new things. Visitors to Charleston will experience a blend of historic and contemporary food, buildings, and sites. There is something for everyone.

Driving the Old Dixie Highway

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The Old Dixie Highway was one of the earliest highways in the US, whose success inspired the massive expansion and renovation of America’s roadways. In partnership with the Good Roads Movement, advocates for the Old Dixie Highway fought for cleaner, smoother, and longer roads to crisscross the country. While the highway itself was short-lived, the space it created for the evolution of American transportation lives on today. Building the Old Dixie Highway helped ease the tenuous relationship between the North and South, made long distance travel feasible to anyone with a car, and helped build up communities in rural areas.

An Idea is Born

 In 1914, a millionaire from Indianapolis by the name of Carl Graham Fisher proposed the idea of a route that would connect the American Midwestern and Southern states. The plan was ambitious, but Fisher knew constructing the route was necessary for the success of his newly established city, Miami Beach, Florida. He wanted there to be an easy route into the city, hoping the prospect of work and wealth would lure people from the North there and throughout Florida.

The lack of North-South long-distance roads wasn’t the only trouble facing drivers. Current roadways were in disrepair. Potholes made traversing the roads tedious and sometimes dangerous, and they were easily made impassable after a heavy rain. They served primarily as links between small towns and the nearest railroad stop. These roads had no signs, making navigation a challenge, and often drivers would find themselves lost in places where the road branched out toward rural farms.

Around this same time, Henry Ford’s Model-T, commonly referred to as the “Tin Lizzie,” was gaining popularity. Ford’s invention changed the face of transportation across the country, and for the first time working class Americans could afford to purchase the vehicle. With automobiles on the rise, people needed good, reliable roads. This sparked the Good Roads Movement, an effort by citizens to address the decrepit roadways. The most successful project of the Good Roads Movement was the Lincoln Highway – the nation’s first East-West highway and Fisher’s inspiration for the Old Dixie Highway. He was awed by how quickly it invited people from larger cities to branch out into more rural areas and hoped the Dixie Highway would bear similar results. 

For some cities, Dixie Highway became a main road for businesses. Reprinted from The Dixie Highway in Illinois by James R. Wright, courtesy of the Iroquois County Genealogical and Historical Societies (pg. 100, Arcadia Publishing, 2009).

Fisher was aware of the need for better and further-reaching roads, and after witnessing the success of the Lincoln Highway, there was nothing to stop the Old Dixie Highway from being constructed. He easily gained the support of local businessmen, state officials, and those in the auto industry, and in 1915 Fisher met with the governors of states interested in the route. Together, they laid out the framework for what would become the Old Dixie Highway. Early plans had the route stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Miami, Florida, meeting every major city in between. It was decided that constructing and maintaining the roadway would be the responsibility of states and communities along the route. The Dixie Highway Association was formed to oversee the project, and initial funding came from wealthy private donors.

Early decision makers named the road the Cotton Belt Route, but this was changed to Old Dixie Highway in 1915. The name changed as part of an effort to design a more exotic and pleasant image of the South. Referring to the highway as “Old Dixie” imbued feelings of nostalgia, and helped paint a picture of the American South as a place with beautiful scenery and attractive cities and sites.

Selling the Highway

 Establishing this model of the South turned out to be a crucial part of the highway’s overall development. As an experienced entrepreneur, Fisher knew that to gain the much-needed financial support of the federal government, he needed to convince the residents who would be most impacted by the route that their communities would reap immense benefits from the project. But this was easier said than done. Tensions between the North and South were still present – wounds from the Civil War had yet to heal completely, and there were minor amounts of distrust on both sides.

To people in the North, Fisher pitched an image of the South that was warm and inviting. His strategy included creating and mass distributing brochures that depicted a tropical oasis. In the South, Fisher was faced with a different type of challenge. Residents in these states accused the highway as being a project for the upper class. They were concerned that wealthy Northerners would enter the South and disrupt their way of life. Fisher’s counter-argument was that the highway would not ruin a Southern lifestyle but enhance it by inviting people from the North to tour the Southern states. He claimed that increasing the flow of traffic would simultaneously increase the amount of money coming through areas along the route. 

The official routing map of Dixie Highway through Georgia. Reprinted from North Georgia’s Dixie Highway by Amy Gillis Lowry and Abbie Tucker Parks, courtesy of Jeffrey L. Durbin (pg. 2, Arcadia Publishing, 2007).


In the end, Fisher was successful. In late 1915 construction of the highway began. Original plans set the route straight down to Florida, then along the Atlantic coastline to Miami. As construction began, a prominent lobbyist group, the Central Florida Highway Association, decided they wanted in. They advocated for a western route that would run down the Gulf Coast and enter Miami from the west.

At this point, the construction was almost fully funded by the federal government. It was because of this that Fisher agreed to split the route in order to serve more communities. The route connecting Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan with Miami became known as the western route. The eastern route connected Chicago to Miami, and ran down the eastern half of the country through Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. Two East-West cross roads were added to connect the two North-South routes. The central route was a small cutoff between Macon, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, and the Carolina route connected Knoxville, Tennessee and Waynesboro, Georgia.

Almost, immediately small towns and cities along the route began experiencing the benefits of the highway. Oil and gas companies expanded their reach by building gas stations in key stops along the highway, and business owners also leaped at the opportunity, constructing inns and restaurants along the route to serve travelers. In Georgia, cities situated on the highway promoted remains of the Civil War to tourists as attractions to visit.

Through the 1920s, states received more and more funding for their building efforts. By 1927, the federal government took over the route entirely with the creation of the US highway system. By the late 1920s, state and federal markers began to replace the Old Dixie Highway markers, and the Good Roads Movement, having sparked the initiative they campaigned for, was disbanded. Much of what was the Old Dixie Highway was later adopted into the national highway system.

Dixie Highway Today

A section of the abandoned Dixie Highway in Indiana, featuring a one-lane, narrow bridge. Reprinted from Dixie Highway in Indiana by Russell S. Rein and Jan Shupert-Arick, courtesy of Jan Shuper-Arick (pg. 94, Arcadia Publishing, 2011).

Today, virtually all the Old Dixie Highway has been renamed or rerouted. Much of the Eastern route and all the Carolina route became U.S. Highway 25. The route between Chicago and Miami was renamed Interstate 75. A portion running between Nashville, Tennessee and Louisville, Kentucky is today’s U.S. Highway 31W, though in many parts of Kentucky the route still bears the name “Dixie Highway” or “Dixie Avenue.” The name persists in some locations, but most central long-distance routes were reorganized into more modern highways. What remains of the Old Dixie Highway are mostly local roads.

Together with the Lincoln Highway, the Old Dixie Highway helped set forth a nationwide movement for the improvement of roads. In being the first major North-South highway, the Dixie Highway helped to mend deep-seated distrust between the North and the South and made traveling long distances possible for almost everyone. While it’s time as the Old Dixie Highway was relatively short lived, its legacy lives on, signifying a pivotal moment in American history.

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