The Arabia Steamboat's story is amazing. She was a 171-foot, wood-burning side-wheeler built in 1853 that operated on the Missouri River, transporting passengers and up to 222 tons of cargo. It sank on September 5, 1856, after hitting a tree snag, but was rediscovered in 1988 buried 45 feet underground in a Kansas cornfield. The perfectly preserved cargo is now displayed in the museum below the paddlewheel. We'll make a stop here to talk about some of the unique items in the collection.

Established in 1857, the City Market is one of the oldest and largest farmers' markets in the Midwest, serving as a historic hub for trade and commerce. It was the epicenter of the early "Town of Kansas," acting as a key shipping and trading post for pioneers, riverboats, and farmers near the Missouri River. Today, it survives as a revitalized urban center, featuring local vendors, the Arabia Steamboat Museum, and restaurants. At this stop, you'll hear stories of the early market vendors and meet some of the current stall owners.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition 1804 Mural is a large public artwork located in the River Market district. Commissioned in 2004 for the bicentennial, it features Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Sacagawea, and the Corps of Discovery along the Missouri River. While we will not get all the way to Kaw Point during this walking tour, we will see several majestic and historic murals, including the Town of Kansas 1850.