Date Original
1855
Description
Collection contains two account records detailing crew hires, cargo freight and raising of steamboat from the Ouachita River.
Biographical/Historical Note
The steamboat played an important role in Arkansas from the earliest days of the Arkansas Territory. Before being superseded by the railroad in the post–Civil War era, steamboats were the primary means of passenger transport, as well as moving raw materials out of Arkansas and consumer goods into the state. In 1819, the first steamboat came up the Ouachita, making such a strange sound and presenting such a monstrous sight that it was described as “a puffing dragon.” After that frightful debut, steamboats began to play an integral part in the colorful history connected with the Ouachita. From 1819 to 1910, the Ouachita was the great highway of commerce and transportation for the entire river valley. Steamboats came from as far as New Orleans up the Ouachita River, reaching even Camden and Arkadelphia during times of high water; however, steamboats began to vanish in the early 1900s with the proliferation of the railroads.
Physical Description
Document, 8.5" x 11"
Geographical Area
Arkansas
Language
English
Identifier
SMC.036.013
Resource Type
Text
Collection
Steamer Little Pike business records, SMC.036.013
Publisher
Arkansas State Archives
Contributing Entity
Arkansas State Archives
Recommended Citation
Steamer Little Pike business records, Arkansas State Archives, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rights
Use and reproduction of images held by the Arkansas State Archives without prior written permission is prohibited. For information on reproducing images held by the Arkansas State Archives, please call 501-682-6900 or email at state.archives@arkansas.gov.
Disciplines
United States History
