River Towns in the Great West: The Structure of Provincial Urbanization in the American Midwest, 1820–1870 Hardcover – Import, 31 August 1990

This is a gem of a book for understanding the importance of waterways and topography in establishing the frontier towns of the early to mid-19th century. It covers the natural formation of the state's geology and geography, the soil fertility created by great glacial migrations and southerly winds that brought rich soil--and hardy pioneers to the prairie state. The book provides excellent analyses of the evolution of commercialism and the clash of cultures, from Jeffersonian subsistence ideals to production agriculture. From such examinations come the rise of culture and politics, the formation of farm communities and how some chose vibrant commercial districts and others chose to be left alone, depending on what was grown. This is a great book.