Afloat on the Ohio / An Historical Pilgrimage of a Thousand Miles in a Skiff, from Redstone to Cairo

Name: Afloat on the Ohio / An Historical Pilgrimage of a Thousand Miles in a Skiff, from Redstone to Cairo
Author: Reuben Gold Thwaites

By Reuben Gold Thwaites

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History - American Travel Writing

About This Book

The narrator undertakes a thousand-mile pilgrimage down the Ohio River in a skiff with family and a companion, blending travel narrative, sketches of river towns, campsite life, natural description, and local anecdotes. Each chapter traces stretches of the river—from headwaters to the lower reaches—recording landscapes, flora, houseboat and steamboat life, and encounters with inhabitants, while interweaving historical sketches of frontier events, explorers, battles, and settlement. Vignettes treat industry, river commerce, vanished towns, and regional character, and appended materials supply a concise outline of valley settlement and a list of earlier river journals to contextualize the journey.

About the Author

Reuben Gold Thwaites

Reuben Gold Thwaites was an American historian and author known for his significant contributions to the literature on early American history and exploration. He is particularly recognized for his works that explore the history and waterways of the Midwest. His notable book, "Afloat on the Ohio," chronicles a historical journey along the Ohio River, blending travel narrative with historical insights. Thwaites also authored works such as "Daniel Boone" and "Historic Waterways," which reflect his deep interest in the exploration and settlement of the American frontier. His writings provide valuable perspectives on the cultural and historical development of the United States.