Steamboat in a Cornfield, the Story of The Steamboat Arabia

Enjoy the fascinating history of The Steamboat Arabia- a side-wheel steamer built in 1853 which carried passengers and supplies up and down the Missouri River. On September 5, 1856, while loaded with 200 tons of goods bound for frontier towns, it struck a submerged tree snag near present-day Kansas City and sank quickly. Everyone survived except for one stubborn mule tied on board. Over time, the Missouri River shifted, and the wreck was buried beneath a Kansas farm field for more than 130 years. In 1988, the Arabia was rediscovered and excavated, revealing one of the largest collections of Pre–Civil War artifacts ever found. Today, these treasures are preserved and displayed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.