The Back Road to Thurber

In The Back Road To Thurber, Leo Bielinski looks through the eyes of ethnic immigrants to tell the story of life in a Texas coal mining town. The story is based in part on actual events, and those who know Thurber, Texas, will recognize it immediately as the setting. In Bielinski's novel, Thurber becomes the stage upon which Italian, Polish, and other immigrants come face to face with the realities of life in America. Through flashbacks, The Back Road To Thurber covers the period from the late 19th to late 20th century - a tumultuous era of boom and bust for many towns like Thurber.

Author: Laura Butler, Leo S. Bielinski Ph. D.
Publisher: Joy Presswork Collection
Published: 06/01/1993
Pages: 298
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.88lbs
Size: 9.02h x 5.98w x 0.62d
ISBN13: 9780963847621
ISBN10: 0963847627
BISAC Categories:
- History | United States | State & Local | Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX)

About the Author
The author's family has been a part of the Thurber locale for over 115 years. His grandfather dug Thurber coal for 31 years (1890-1921). His mother, in all her 90 years, never lived farther than two miles from her birth place in Thurber. Today Leo Bielinski still maintains his grandfather's homestead in Mingus (Thurber Junction). With this background it is understandable why Bielinski is eager to preserve his Thurber heritage. In 1994 he was awarded the Texas Historical Commission's Award of Excellence in Preserving History. This award was presented for his work in restoring the 1000 grave Thurber Cemetery and for restoring and moving back to Thurber St. Barbara's Church, the train car which carried miners to work, the Thurber Band Stand and a typical miner's house. Via his web site thurbertexas.com he has helped hundreds of folks from all over the world with questions relating to this area which was once a world-leading coal producer.

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