PBS to air documentary filmed in eastern Iowa
Posted at 8:29 am | Filed Under As Seen On TV, Educational, Public Television
There is a documentary being filmed for PBS about the Mississippi river. It is really a history lesson more than anything. They tell how the river’s importance has changed from being the transportation highway of the region in the beginning to the present when it is a big part of eastern Iowa tourism. Lewis and Clark were amazed when they first came upon the river, they never expected a river of that size in the middle of the great plains. As soon as people started to settle the region the first town were built on the river as it was a relatively easy way to ship and receive goods. The river towns were all getting wealthy on the trading industry. Of course with the population growth came avenues to spend one’s money, things such as river boats which could be for transportation but were also used as floating gambling houses. With the boats being mobile they were not subject to the laws and rules of any given town and could attract customers from even the most prudish of communities. Getting thrown off the boat was a whole different struggle than getting thrown out the door of one of the houses in town, so that kept most of the clientele on their best behavior.
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