Located on the scenic north shore of Lake Erie, Elgin County was once home to over 40 vanished communities - filled with steam trains, ghosts, one-room schoolhouses, rowdy taverns, War of 1812 skirmishes and colourful characters, like Thomas Talbot. Jennifer Grainger chronicles the rise and fall of Elgin's crossroad hamlets, lakeports and rail depots with contemporary photos, archival shots, and postmarks that remind us of the pioneers.