Mississippi River Shanty Boats

During that time bush was one of 50 000 people who lived on a shanty boat and called the ohio and mississippi rivers home.

Mississippi river shanty boats.

Shanty boats were a popular form of housing in the region from the 1850 s to the 1950 s. 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. During that time about 50 000 people called the ohio and mississippi rivers home. There is something so magical about them.

We celebrate living on the water affordably. Perhaps it is a held over fascination with tom sawyer tales from the mississippi. A shantyboat is a small crude houseboat also called a flatboat broadhorn barge scow or ark. 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. Imagine then my recent excitement when learning a bit more about the history of shanty boats and river people in general. Secret history is an a. 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.

Shanty boats were popular in the region from the 1850 s to the 1950 s. Shantyboat is the story of a leisurely journey down the ohio and mississippi rivers to new orleans. But it cannot be denied that shanty boats are no less tiny houses than anything else.