First Published in 1906 by the noted historian Archer Butler Hulbert, this excellent work chronicles the events that occurred from the time of Celeron's Expedition through the years of early settlement when canoes and flatboats were the main mode of transportation. Next came the steamboat era when Sternwheelers and Sidewheelers plied up and down the great Ohio River from Pittsburg to the Mississippi. This book is not your average "dry" history book. It is filled with stories and first hand accounts of the people who lived and participated in these events that made the Ohio River a true course to empire. This book is part of the Historical Collection of Badgley Publishing Company and has been transcribed from the original. The original contents have been edited and corrections have been made to original printing, spelling and grammatical errors when not in conflict with the author's intent to portray a particular event or interaction. Annotations have been made and additional contents have been added by Badgley Publishing Company in order to clarify certain historical events or interactions and to enhance the author's content. Photos and illustrations from the original have been touched up, enhanced and sometimes enlarged for better viewing. Additional illustrations and photos have been added by Badgley Publishing Company.