I have a two-fold problem. First, I've never been to the place in which my story begins (at least not since I was 2). Second, my novel is historical and I'm having a very difficult time getting descriptive information that isn't tainted by modernization. For example, I can find all the info I want on the cities in that area today, but next to nothing about what it sounded like, felt like, smelled like,etc. in that area during the 1800s. 

Do any of you have good suggestions for sources on this sort of thing? I've thought of perhaps finding some historical diaries of people who lived in that area at the time, but can't seem to find any. Then again, maybe I don't know where to look.

Honestly, any suggestions would be GREAT! Thanks!

-K 

ETA: Traveling to the area is out of the question ($$). 

Thanks for your reply. Sorry for leaving it out, but the location is basically north eastern Texas- roughly north of Nacogdoche and east of Dallas. A somewhat large area, I know. My characters are traveling and yes, they are sticking to the small towns and unsettled areas.

Thank you for your recommendation of contacting local historians. It seems like it should be an obvious step, (especially since I've already spoken face-to-face with local historians for the latter part of my book which is set near enough that I *can* visit) but for some reason it just didn't occur to me to look for those folks at the farther locations. I guess research isn't something that comes naturally to me. I'm working on it, though.   THANKS!