Travel Information about Missouri River Regions

The Missouri River Regions are abundant with history and places to visit. In fact the river flows through a good many of the states within the United States. The following article not only addresses travel destinations but also the important historical aspects of the famed area: separating the two would be unquestinable.

Famous Steamboat

The Yellow Stone was the American Fur Company's very first steamboat. The legendary boat was owned by Pierre Chouteu. It made its first trip up the famous Missouri River on April 16, 1831. It left the city of St. Louis on this date. The Side-wheel style Yellowstone made it to Leavenworth on May 1st and finally arrived on June 19th at Fort Tecumseh. This was quite the accomplishment as there had not been any steamboat on record that had journeyed past Council Bluffs. Also what was significant about this particular trip was the duration of it: what had historically taken many months had on this particular excursion taken a mere couple of weeks. That isn't all: The legendary steamboat was also the very first steamer to reach Fort Clark located on the Upper Missouri River during the early part of the nineteenth century. Its mission was to make delivery of various goods and fifteen hundred gallons of spirits. The Yellow Stone made the trip back to the city of St. Louis with buffalo robes and beaver pelts on board. The pioneering Yellow Stone was illustrative of the practicality of other boats traversing the Missouri River to the region of the Blackfoot. A famous individual who traveled on the boat during this significant voyage was the famed artist George Catlin.

It was the springtime of the early 1900s when the Yellow Stone made a voyage up the Missouri River once more along with another steamboat (also owned by a furrier). The other steamboat was known as the Assiniboine. On this particular voyage Prince Maximilian was on board the boat with his companion, the artist Karl Bodmer. Bodmer is famed for the renderings he produced of the Missouri River as well as life alongside its banks.

The Yellow Stone's tenure traveling the Missouri River ended suddenly when she became part of the cotton trade in Texas. The grand little Yellow Stone continued her service along the Mississippi. It was unusual for a steamer of her age at the time to stay in service: most would have been retired. However the Yellow Stone was reconstructed in the city of New Orleans for a princely sum at of four thousand dollars and continued her voyages.

That said, it is important to remember that when visiting the Missouri River Region you will be afforded the opportunity to take many steamboat tours in various areas. In fact tours are prevalent everywhere within the region. By taking a steamboat tour you will be able to catch a glimpse of what life was like along the river during earlier periods of time.

The Yellow Stone it may be said brings to light the importance of the steamboat for the early settlers relative to trade within the region. You cannot visit the Missouri River Regions without thinking about steamboats or their history. One tour is suggested within the preceding content in Pierre, South Dakota. However no matter where your travels take you within the region do not miss the opportunity to tour the river by way of a steamboat cruise and catch a glimpse of history.