Ohio River Heritage

The mighty Ohio River has played a crucial role in America’s economic and political development.  From prehistoric dugout canoes to modern diesel-powered towboats, Eddie Price discusses the various crafts that appeared on the river and how they helped shape America’s destiny.  Pirogues, flatboats, and keelboats would transport the new settlers and their goods—later replaced by the steamboat.  Journey with Price on the first steamboat New Orleans as it embarked on its maiden voyage over the “Falls of the Ohio” and through the earthquake-ravaged Mississippi in 1811.  See colorful slides of new, shallow-draft steamboats as they appeared on the river, the armored gunboats of Ulysses S. Grant’s “Brown-water Navy” during the Civil War, packet boats and showboats of the post-war era, and the new boats of today.  
  
Price discusses the many ways that Americans have used the river throughout history, and he provides insight on the Army Corps of Engineers’ continuing efforts to provide safe, navigable channels and to control major flooding. New “Riverport Authorities” have acquired international status, linking highways, rails, and airports to the river. Complete with maps, charts, portraits and pictures, this slideshow is sure to educate.  Price even brings a model “New Orleans boat” for display—a floating warehouse complete with sweeps, livestock, whiskey barrels, “hemp rope”, and more.