The Legend of Mississippi River Explorers
The Mississippi River has a long history of exploration and travel by countless individuals and groups, often resulting in the discovery of new places, cultures, and the growth of settlements and communities. The voyage of the Mississippi River was first documented by its first european navigator, Hernando de Soto, in 1541, who was an explorer of Spanish descent. The river was named after the Algonquin tribe called “Mississippian”, who lived in the lower basin of the river.
After de Soto’s voyage, there were more voyages of exploration for the purpose of trade and settlement. Explorers such as Robert LaSalle and James Tipton played a major role in the expansion of the river trade. They documented the river and gathered information about the native cultures and lifestyles. The arrival of steamboats in 1812 revolutionized the transportation of goods, making it easier and quicker, allowing settlers and traders to traverses the river in a matter of days rather than weeks.
Notable French explorer Pierre-Charles le Monier de Lasalle and Marquette, as well as American explorer Zebulon Pike, also made major contributions to learning about the area and the wild, northern Mississippi. The early explorers of the Mississippi river were the first to encounter and map the area, set up trade relationships between the various tribes and established the basis for the flourishing culture and economy of the Mississippi Valley.
The most famous explorer of the Mississippi was Meriwether Lewis and his companion, William Clark. Lewis and Clark traveled from St. Louis to the Pacific coast in 1804 and made significant contributions to the development of United States by mapping and discovering new rivers, plants and animals. Their venture included working with the vast array of tribes and trading posts along the waterways.
Their expedition lasted over two and a half years, setting out in 1804 and ending in 1806. Their journey was made difficult by the harshness of the weather, the geography and unpredictable currents and rapids of the river. The expedition was tasked with surveying the land, mapping routes and making phenomenological studies, including a detailed report of the native peoples and their customs.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition not only laid a foundation for future United States settlers and the development of the American west, but also revealed the beauty and splendor of the surroundings along the Mississippi. The artwork of Karl Bodmer, for example, is one of the most significant visual accounts of the expedition and has inspired many to explore the river’s wonders for themselves.
St. Louis as Gateway to the Mississippi
St. Louis has long been the gateway to the Mississippi River, with many of the earliest movements of people along the river originating in the city. Prior to 1800, St. Louis was a trading post and the biggest town in the Louisiana Territory and parts of the Mississippi. Major industries, such as farming and fishing, developed thanks to the trade and the continued presence of the major rivers.
The opening of the Gateway Arch in 1965 was a major attraction to the city, with over 800,000 visitors per year. The arch serves as a symbol of the river’s importance in both the community and the nation’s history. The Old Courthouse, located at the foot of the arch, is a National Historic Landmark, marking the starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The riverfront of St. Louis is also home to museums and attractions, such as the Mississippi River Museum, The Casino Queen, the Gateway Arch Riverboat, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the City Museum, and the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. Visitors of these attractions get to experience a unique interplay between land and water as they follow the path of the Mississippi.
Mississippi Wildlife and Its Preservation
The Mississippi River plays a vital role in preserving and protecting wildlife. It serves as a species corridor, allowing the various migrating animals to move between different habitats. The numerous species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals that live in and around the river are a source of great economic, environmental, and cultural value.
The area is also home to a range of plant life, including shorelines, bottomland forests, and wetlands, which provide many migratory birds, amphibians, and fish with food and suitable habitat. The variety of life in the area is flourishing due to the important role that the Mississippi River plays in protecting it.
In addition to providing habitat for wildlife, the river is essential for transportation. Ships and barges continuously move goods from one end of the upper basin to the other. It is also used for recreational purposes, providing fishing, boating, swimming, and other recreational activities. This recreational usage contributes to the overall enjoyment of the river and its surroundings.
In recent years, there have been many efforts to preserve the Mississippi River, its wildlife, and its habitat. The Mississippi Flyway, for example, is a federally protected program that works to provide cleaning, flood protection, conservation and fishing to the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The program is managed by both public and private entities, working to preserve the land surrounding the river and its abundant aquatic life.
The government has also taken action to reduce the pollution that threatens the river. Organizations such as the Mississippi River Commission are working to clean up the water and reduce nutrient runoff, as well as to develop plans with better and more efficient waste management.
Rise of Mississippi Tourism
The Mississippi River has long been an important source of trade, transportation, and recreation, and more recently has become a popular tourist attraction. Visitors come from all over the world to experience the unique landscapes, wildlife, and culture the Mississippi has to offer.
The riverfront of cities like St. Louis and Memphis are home to a variety of attractions such as the iconic Gateway Arch, the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and the National World War II Museum, all drawing millions of visitors annually. These attractions are loved by travelers from across the globe, who also love to explore nature by taking part in fishing, hunting, kayaking, and canoeing on the river.
Along the way, travelers can experience some of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems the region has to offer including woodlands, swamps, floodplains, backwaters and wetlands. Visitors can also find a variety of wildlife species in the area, including bald eagles, white egrets, and many other birds, as well as native mammals such as otters, beavers and deer.
The Mississippi River is also home to many unique towns and cities, each with their own culture, history, foods, and entertainment. From the stately New Orleans Jazz culture, to small, close-knit towns such as Hannibal, Missouri, visitors can experience the fascinating variety of cultures that call the river home.
The Mississippi River is constantly evolving, with new attractions and experiences appearing all the time. Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend getaway or a visitor seeking to discover all the river has to offer, there’s something for everyone here.
Conclusion of the Mississippi’s Magnificence
Explorers, settlers, and tourists all marvel at the beauty of the Mississippi River and the regions that it passes through. Its winding lines provide an incomparable experience that unites nature and culture in a way no other destination can. From its earliest explorers to the present-day Americans living within its basin, the river serves as a reminder of our country’s past as well as a testament to its future.
The unique experiences that the Mississippi offers have inspired people for centuries, and will no doubt continue to do so for generations to come. It is a living embodiment of the courage and tenacity that made America possible, a reminder of our shared past and the potential of our future.
