Today we highlight an 1800s engineer, bridge builder, and the visionary of today's modern flood control system – Charles Ellet, Jr.

In this episode we highlight the first Euro-American to cross North America: Alexander Mackenzie.

This episode highlights the author of one of the great masterworks in chronicling the importance of river transportation and the steamboat era: Dr. Louis C. Hunter.

In this episode, we review the life of one of the great Missouri River steamboat captains, Captain Joseph LaBarge.

A canal to connect trade from the Great Lakes across New York to the Hudson River -- that was the vision and accomplishment of New York governor DeWitt Clinton.

In this episode we feature René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle.

La Salle was one of North America's foremost explorers whose travels expanded knowledge of the Ohio River, the Great Lakes, and the Mississippi River valley. La Salle led the first expedition down the Mississippi River all the way to the Gulf of Mexico in 1682, establishing France's claim to the vast Mississippi River drainage basin. His vision of a New France stretching from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico anticipated the future greatness of the Mississippi Valley.

George Catlin committed his incredible artistic skills to capturing the scenery of the great American west and the culture of the Native Americans. Learn about his amazing life and career.

Captain Mary Miller was the first woman in the United States to earn her master's license. Learn more about her life and career.

This episode highlights the accomplishments of inventor John Fitch. Two decades before Robert Fulton's first commercially-successful steamboat, Fitch was the first American to use a steam engine to propel a boat. His 1787 debut of mechanized transportation changed the history of the United States.

This episode highlights the life and career of fur-trapper, trader, and mountain man Jim Bridger.