Before They Were States: What Each State Was Like Before It Joined the Union

Before there were fifty stars on the flag, there were Indian nations, Spanish missions, French fur traders, Dutch merchants, English colonies, Mexican provinces, an independent republic, and vast territories that belonged to no one on paper and to everyone who lived there.

"Before They Were States" takes all 50 states in the order they joined the Union and tells what each one was really like before that day came — who lived there first, which Europeans showed up and what they were after, and how the land finally became a state.

You'll read about Spanish Florida from 1513, the only Swedish colony America ever had, the breakaway Republic of Vermont, Texas the independent nation, Oklahoma's Land Runs, Hawaii's overthrown kingdom, Alaska's two-cents-an-acre purchase — and every state in between, from Delaware (1787) to Hawaii (1959).

Written in plain, storytelling language — no dry textbook talk. Includes a quick-reference table of all 50 statehood dates. 43 pages, 6x9 PDF.

By Okey and Susan Barker.

The cover art is saved too if Payhip wants a separate cover image — just ask and I'll send it over.