First published in 1891, Frances E. Willard's A Classic Town, chronicles the history of Evanston, Illinois, a town that lies at the edge of Chicago and serves as the home of Northwestern University. Willard's volume is early local history at its best, combining oral history, biography, and political and cultural history. Willard's book offers a glimpse into an American Midwestern town on the verge of the 20th century. This new volume faithfully reproduces Willard's original text and images, and also includes notes and a new introduction by Jenny Thompson.