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Welcome to Missouri River Steamboats . . .
. . . the web site for MoRiverSteamboats.com and MoRiverSteamboats.org
For several years now, we
have been collecting information on the steamboats that plied the Missouri
River. There is a considerable amount of information available, but it is
often difficult to locate, and even more difficult to verify through a
second source. For historians and genealogists, searching for information
which, in some cases, is over 150 years old, can be extremely frustrating.
I wish I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard, “Where do I even start
looking?” We hope this website will be the answer to that question!
This all started when a very close friend decided to learn all he could
about the Missouri River steamboats, and to share what he learned with
anyone who asked for the information. Unfortunately, he passed away at a
fairly young age, and was unable to see his work come to fruition. Luckily
for all of us, he left an extensive collection of notes detailing what he
had learned in his research. Since his death, we have continued to
research the boats, and expand on his efforts.
It is our sincere hope that the information and stories that we will be
sharing through this web site will be of value to history buffs and to
people who might find the name of a boat mentioned in an ancestor’s diary,
and want to know more about the boat.
Civilization has always followed the winding courses of the rivers and
streams, and steamboats played an important role in the settlement and
commerce of our country’s frontiers. In the days before the railroads, the
rivers took us to where we wanted to go--to new opportunities, and brought
to us the things we needed to build our homes, businesses, towns and
cities. Like many things, steamboats were made obsolete by technological
advancement, but only after they made an indelible mark on our history.
Please keep in mind that this is a “work in progress”, which may never be
entirely complete! Previously obscure bits and pieces of information are
constantly being brought to light. For that reason, we encourage those who
may have had ancestors that traveled or worked aboard a steamboat that
operated on the Missouri River, or its tributaries, to contact us.
Thanks again for visiting, and I hope you enjoy your time here.
“Steamboat Granny” |