The Story of Industrial America

Join My Free Substack: True Stories of Industrial America

Step into the untold history of America’s working world. At jimkissane.substack.com, you’ll find gripping, true stories of industrial America; tales that never made it into the newspapers or history books.

Why Subscribe?

Discover forgotten pioneers and unsung heroes, from the wild frontiers of irrigation to the hidden tunnels beneath Chicago.
Read about inventions, labor struggles, and everyday moments that shaped our country but are rarely told. Every story is meticulously researched, vividly written, and absolutely true.

Featured Stories Include:

Written in Water: The Forgotten Pioneer of Western Irrigation
Across the Great Divide: The Lost Journal of the 1843 Oregon Trail Migration
Breaking the Silence: Esther Peterson’s Fight for Equality in America
Hanging by a Thread: Work, Danger, and Innovation in 1920s New York
Gathering Around the Glow: The Story of an American Briquette
The Seamstress and the Foreman: Unity on the Factory Floor
From Imagination to Iron: The Forgotten Saga of America’s First Police Robot
Beneath the Streets: Chicago’s Forgotten Freight Railroad
Seeds of Genius: The Forgotten Legacy of Henry Blair, America’s Black Inventor
The Real McCoy: Bootlegging Brilliance and the Rise and Fall of America’s Most Honest Outlaw
…and many more.

It’s completely free.
No paywalls. No ads. Just stories that deserve to be told.

Ready to explore the hidden heart of America?
Subscribe now at jimkissane.substack.com and never miss a story.

History isn’t just what’s in the books. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones you’ve never heard.

The Story of Industrial America (1850's - 1950's) | Jim Kissane | Substack Here, you will discover the untold tales of America's industrial era as I unearth obscure events and forgotten figures who shaped our nation's industrial landscape, bringing history to life and revealing how ordinary people did extraordinary things. Click to read The Story of Industrial America (185...

True story: I just figured out that Facebook’s algorithm has been quietly hiding my posts from a whole bunch of you. (Yes, I know… I write about history, but apparently, I’m not so great at keeping up with current events, especially on social media.)
If you actually want to get my latest stories, podcast episodes, or hear about upcoming events, without relying on Facebook’s mysterious feed, join my email list! It’s the only way to be sure you’ll hear from me, algorithms or not.

Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/JimsHistory

Thanks for putting up with my slow learning curve. At least I can promise the emails will be more interesting than my tech skills!

Join my email list Step Into History With Me Love stories from the past? Want to go behind the scenes and get exclusive historical stories (1850's - 1950's) and essays you won’t find anywhere else Early access to new podcast episodes and YouTube videos Behind-the-scenes insights into my research and live performance...

Discover stories that bring America’s untold industrial history to life. On my Substack, you’ll find original narratives, insights, and ideas that delve into the people, places, and moments that shaped our nation’s industries and communities.

If you value thoughtful storytelling and a fresh perspective on history you won’t find in textbooks, subscribe to jimkissane.substack.com and join a community of readers exploring the stories behind America’s industrial past

Start your engines for a pulse-pounding journey through car history! "Automobile Stories" by Jim Kissane is available now, delivering a captivating cruise from early horseless carriages to classic automobiles.
Discover the passion, ingenuity, and human stories that built the automotive world. Order your copy at JimKissane.com/my-books today!

Hey friends! I'm thrilled to share my latest book with you. It's a collection of 12 heartwarming Christmas stories set in a bygone era, from the 1850s to 1950s. You'll journey through time, experiencing the holidays from unique perspectives that will surprise and delight you. Discover how innovation shaped traditions and explore the indomitable human spirit. It's a nostalgic trip that'll warm your heart and remind you of the true meaning of Christmas. And who knows? You might uncover a long-lost secret along the way...
Only $4.99 (ebook) - Visit JimKissane.com/my-books

Coming soon in Jim Kissane's captivating series "The Story of Industrial America (1850's-1950's)" - get ready for the electrifying volume on "Streetcars, Trolleys and Inter-Urbans"!

Step aboard and journey through a pivotal era of American transportation. From the clanging bells of horse-drawn streetcars to the silent demise of electric trolleys, this upcoming installment promises to reveal the untold stories behind the rise and fall of America's beloved rail transit systems.

Discover the truth behind:

- The golden age of streetcars and how they shaped our cities
- The traction magnates who built empires on steel rails
- The gridlock crisis that brought streetcars to a standstill
- The controversial transition from rails to rubber tires

Was there really a sinister conspiracy to dismantle America's trolley systems? Or did economic forces and changing times spell their doom? Kissane's meticulous research and engaging storytelling will transport you back to an era when streetcars ruled the roads, and shed new light on their eventual fate.

Packed with fascinating characters, little-known facts, and vivid historical details, this volume will challenge everything you thought you knew about the streetcar era.

Don't miss this chance to experience a crucial chapter in America's industrial history through the eyes of those who lived it.

Keep your eyes peeled for "Streetcars, Trolleys and Inter-Urbans" - coming soon to Jim Kissane's "The Story of Industrial America (1850's-1950's)" collection!

On Monday October 21st, I will be one of the Suncoast Storytellers at the historic Tampa Theatre's annual "Nightrmare on Franklin Street" series. I will be telling an original historical story In 1900s Pasco County Florida, where a logging crew faces terrifying supernatural forces in ancient cypress groves. As workers vanish and eerie phenomena intensify, foreman Jake Cummings uncovers dark legends. He races against time to confront an awakened, vengeful presence lurking in the primordial forest.
Show details at

Campfire Stories - Tampa Theatre LIVE ON STAGE Since the beginning of time, humans have gathered around the fire to share stories and tell tales. If you’re not careful, your eyes start to play tricks on you, and your imagination...

While perusing the Nov 11, 1921 issue of Motor Age, I came across this interesting "repurposing" tidbit.

This week, I was excited to see coverage in my hometown paper about the new American Pioneer 220 cars being produced in Horseheads by Siemens Mobility.
https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2024/09/13/what-to-expect-from-siemens-mobility-trains-made-in-horseheads/75193117007/

Brightline West shared new renderings of the interiors of the trains that will roll out of Chemung County in the coming years. The AP220 will be capable of carrying up to 450 passengers on the new rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California. It will feature a variety of creature comforts to make the trip a breeze. The journey is expected to take less than two hours, and the train is designed to hit speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour.

The Elmira, NY, area has a rich history of railcar production. Between 1870 and 1940, several railcar builders operated in the vicinity of Elmira, New York. The Elmira Car Works, established in 1851, began manufacturing railcars in 1862 and continued until 1886. This facility was initially a car repair shop but evolved into a significant manufacturer of railcars. In 1872, the Erie Railroad acquired the Elmira shops from the Erie & Atlantic Sleeping Car Company, using them for railcar construction and repairs until 1886. During this time, the Pullman Company also leased the Elmira shops, focusing on producing and repairing sleeping cars.

High-speed rail trainsets made in Horseheads to set 'new benchmark in transportation' The AP220 trains will be rolling out of Chemung County in the coming years. Here's how the trains will create an exciting passenger experience.

Many have asked, "When is the next book in your collection coming out?"

I can confidently tell you SOON! (details at https://jimkissane.com/my-books/

And keeps getting bigger each day