Captian Ron's book "UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER HISTORY" begins with the early French explorers and hardy fur trappers. He covers the history of the paddle-wheel steamboats from the first one on the Mississippi River in 1811, the "NEW ORLEANS",to the fonding and growth of the paddle-wheel steamboat companies on the upper Mississippi River -- from passenger and freight steamboats to excursion paddle-wheel steamboats of today.
You will find photographs and early historical stories of the upper Mississippi river towns from St.Louis, Missouri, to Minneapolis, Minnesota.
added to all this history are stories and tales from river pilots about the names and landmarks along the upper Mississippi River.
"Every trip was a n adventure", Larson writes.Many times when they ran aground and food supplies ran short the crew and passengers would have to wade ashore to scour the countyside for provisions.
Don Boxmeyer, Pioneer Press, St.Paul,MN Capt. Ron Larson spent his work life as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River. He came away with more than a sun burn and mosquito bites. Try stories. So many, in fact, his buddies bugged him to write them down.
John DuBois, St.Cloud Times, St.Cloud, MN This is a well illustrated book with interesting chapters on lock and dams, wingdams, aids to navigation, railroad bridges, rafts and rafting,the Lee-Natches race, and paddle-wheel steamboats past and present.
James V. Swift, Waterways Journal, St.Louis, MO. If you cruise on the Mississippi River, or if you just enjoy watching boats and barges travel up and down the river, you will enjoy this book.
Joe Hunstock, Waterlines, St.Paul,MN This offers a wealth of photographs and facts about the Mississippi and its famous paddle steamers, its bridges,locks, dams, log rafts and towns. The author'sometimes amusing, somtimes imformative, stories from his days as a river pilot.
Josephine Jeremiah, Waterways World, England