Mississippi River Shanty Boats

Shanty boats were a popular form of housing in the region from the 1850 s to the 1950 s.

Mississippi river shanty boats. Shanty boats were popular in the region from the 1850 s to the 1950 s. We celebrate living on the water affordably. Shanty boaters on the ohio and mississippi rivers have been part of the american south s story for decades living along the edge of its many rivers and experiencing the trade and travel that. Shantyboat is the story of a leisurely journey down the ohio and mississippi rivers to new orleans.

During that time about 50 000 people called the ohio and mississippi rivers home. Imagine then my recent excitement when learning a bit more about the history of shanty boats and river people in general. There is something so magical about them. A shantyboat is a small crude houseboat also called a flatboat broadhorn barge scow or ark.

But it cannot be denied that shanty boats are no less tiny houses than anything else. During that time bush was one of 50 000 people who lived on a shanty boat and called the ohio and mississippi rivers home. There is a long forgotten history in america of people living in homemade shantyboats a reasonable and cost free solution for displaced people in rural areas and workers in urban areas. Secret history is an a.

Thanks to espressobuzz for the historic photo a journey to rediscover the lost narratives of river people river communities and the river itself. In july we are bringing the shantyboat across country to launch in the mississippi river on an art and history expedition. For most people such a journey is the stuff that dreams are made of but for harlan and anna hubbard it became a cherished reality.