There are several ways.\n\nYou can do a Yahoo or Google search.\n\nYou can searhc wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org\n\nYou can go to your local library if the place of interest is local.  You can look through old newspapers and references.\n\nYou can go to your local library if the place has enough of a reputation that your library would have a book about it.\n\nYou can call the historical society in the area where the point of interest is.\n\nYou can call the point of interest, especially if there is a protecting foundation or some such.