FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Page & Palette, 32 S. Section St. in Fairhope, will host local author John Sledge on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6-8 p.m. He will speak and sign his latest work, “The Pillared City” at the downtown bookstore.

Sledge presents a richly illustrated overview of the Greek Revival period in Mobile (1825–1870) when high style and vernacular columned buildings were erected on the city’s streets.

Using a wealth of resources such as deeds and diaries, Sledge reveals the architectural accomplishments that helped Mobile emerge from its position as a rustic backwater to become a prominent international seaport.

Sledge explains how these buildings reflect coastal and national trends, and details the surprisingly advanced construction techniques required of the architects and builders.

He offers more than an architectural history, incorporating stories such as how the triple blows of bankruptcy, yellow fever and fire nearly obliterated Mobile in 1839.

The eventful histories behind prominent landmarks such as Barton Academy, Government Street Presbyterian Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Oakleigh, Stewartfield, Georgia Cottage and the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion are detailed.

Also featured are are the lives of historical figures like Henry Hitchcock, James and Charles Dakin, James Gallier, Signor Vito Viti, John Trenier Sr. and Augusta Jane Evans.

Featuring 60 contemporary black-and-white photographs by Sheila Hagler and a rich array of historical images, “The Pillared City” captures the grace and allure of Mobile’s antebellum style.

Winston Groom said, “John Sledge’s writing style is reminiscent of those delicious architectural pieces that Brendan Gill used to do for the New Yorker. He knows his history, tells good stories, and makes the buildings and their builders come alive. This is a very distinguished book.”

Sledge is book editor of the Press-Register, and writes a weekly column for the paper.

Actively involved in the preservation of the architecture and history of Mobile, Sledge is an architectural historian with the Mobile Historic Development Commission, a department of the city of Mobile.

He lives in Fairhope with his wife, Lynn.

The author will exclusively sign all books purchased from Page & Palette.

For more information, call (251) 928-5295.