Utica (NY) (Then & Now)

Bought it for a friend why grew up in Utica. My copy came well-packaged with no creases or imperfections.Like the others in this vast series, you need to have lived there (or visited, such as the amusement park ones) at some point in your life to fully appreciate them. But in general they are consistently good to excellent.

much of the information was interesting, but if you have basic knowledge of utica's history already it may not be useful. wonderful photos, but the placement of the photos and the corresponding text is a little awkward on the kindle.

Great book , great pictures , true utica

As a native of the Utica area who has lived here for the vast majority of my life I can honestly say that this book brought a great sense of awe and nostalgia for this reader. The Utica before I was born had a sense of grandeur that is difficult to find in the modern American cities I have visited. This book is an outstanding guide for those looking to remember the Utica of their youth or for young folks to sightsee and discover some of the well preserved gems that give a glimpse of Utica's majestic past. Highly recommended for history or architecture buffs as well as Utica natives abroad looking to reconnect with the city of their youth.

Utica Then & Now leads the reader through a journey of Utica at her peak at the turn of the 20th Century. There are two main reoccurences while reading: one being the absolutely stunning architecture that once permeated throughout Utica and two, the number of powerful and influential people that not only frequently visited the Mohawk Valley but also established permanent residence here. Even though these two important features of a successful region seemingly disappeared a century ago, the book provides glimmers of hope of what the future could hold for the Mohawk Valley.

Truly, Utica is a very quaint city with an emerging modern feel to it. Nineteenth Century houses, churches and buildings exist alongside strip malls and technology businesses. Taking a stroll through Utica's lush 1940s and 50s style neighborhoods is like stepping back in time. Unfortunately, Utica's past grandeur is often quashed by its litany of present day woes. The photographs in this book are a poignant tribute to Utica's magnificent history and the book seems to offer a ray of hope that Utica can again become the great city it once was. I just wish there could have been more text to go along with the pictures. The opening introduction was honest and informed, but I thought each chapter should have had a similar introduction. Nonetheless, Utica: Then & Now is a great book to own.