What was the name of the skiff that Reuben Gold Thwaites used for his 1,000-mile journey down the Ohio River?
- The Wanderer
- The Pilgrim
- The Ohio
- The Redstone
Correct Answer: The Pilgrim
Correct Answer Explanation: Thwaites named his skiff “The Pilgrim” in honor of his journey’s spiritual and exploratory nature.
Where did Thwaites’s journey begin?
- Cairo, Illinois
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Redstone, Pennsylvania
- Cincinnati, Ohio
Correct Answer: Redstone, Pennsylvania
Correct Answer Explanation: Redstone, Pennsylvania, marked the beginning of Thwaites’s journey down the Ohio River. It was located at the mouth of Redstone Creek, near present-day Brownsville, Pennsylvania.
Which city did Thwaites reach at the end of his journey?
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Cairo, Illinois
Correct Answer: Cairo, Illinois
Correct Answer Explanation: Cairo, Illinois, was the final destination of Thwaites’s journey down the Ohio River. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, it was a significant port and a major transportation hub.
How long did Thwaites’s journey down the Ohio River take?
- Three weeks
- Six weeks
- Three months
- Six months
Correct Answer: Six weeks
Correct Answer Explanation: Thwaites’s journey down the Ohio River lasted six weeks, from late June to early August 1897.
Which of the following was NOT a significant industry along the Ohio River in 1897?
- Steel
- Coal Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Automobile Manufacturing
Correct Answer: Automobile Manufacturing
Correct Answer Explanation: While automobiles were starting to be produced around this time, automobile manufacturing was not yet a significant industry along the Ohio River in 1897.
Which famous American Revolutionary War figure owned vast tracts of land along the Ohio River?
- George Washington
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
- Alexander Hamilton
Correct Answer: George Washington
Correct Answer Explanation: George Washington was a major land speculator, and he owned over 32,000 acres along the Ohio River. He was particularly interested in developing the land for agriculture and settlement.
Which Native American tribe played a significant role in the fur trade and made treaties with European settlers in the Ohio River Valley?
- Cherokee
- Iroquois
- Shawnee
- Sioux
Correct Answer: Shawnee
Correct Answer Explanation: The Shawnee tribe was a major force in the Ohio River Valley and played a key role in the fur trade. They negotiated treaties with both the French and the English, and their villages served as important trading centers.
What was the name of the large Indian mound located at Moundsville, West Virginia?
- The Big Grave
- The Great Serpent Mound
- The Hopewell Mounds
- The Adena Mound
Correct Answer: The Big Grave
Correct Answer Explanation: The Big Grave, also known as the Moundsville Mound, is one of the largest remaining Indian mounds in the United States, and it is a testament to the region’s prehistoric past.
What was the primary source of fuel for residents of the oil and gas well regions along the Ohio River?
- Wood
- Coal
- Natural Gas
- Petroleum
Correct Answer: Natural Gas
Correct Answer Explanation: Natural gas was readily available and inexpensive in the oil and gas well regions, making it a popular fuel source for residents.
Which city was known as “The Plymouth Rock of the West” due to its early settlement by Revolutionary War veterans and its commitment to education?
- Marietta, Ohio
- Gallipolis, Ohio
- Wheeling, West Virginia
- Cincinnati, Ohio
Correct Answer: Marietta, Ohio
Correct Answer Explanation: Marietta, Ohio, was settled by Revolutionary War veterans who sought to establish a new community based on principles of education and self-governance.
Where was the first circulating library in the Northwest located?
- Marietta, Ohio
- Gallipolis, Ohio
- Belpré, Ohio
- Wheeling, West Virginia
Correct Answer: Belpré, Ohio
Correct Answer Explanation: The first circulating library in the Northwest was established at Belpré, Ohio, thanks to the collection of books brought west by Israel Putnam.
What was the name of the island in the Ohio River that was home to Harman Blennerhassett and his wife, who were involved in Aaron Burr’s conspiracy?
- Blennerhassett’s Island
- Shawnee Island
- Fort Harmar Island
- Cumberland Island
Correct Answer: Blennerhassett’s Island
Correct Answer Explanation: Blennerhassett’s Island, located in the Ohio River near Parkersburg, West Virginia, was the home of Harman Blennerhassett and his wife, who were drawn into Aaron Burr’s conspiracy to create a separate Western empire.
What was the name of the bloody battle fought between General Andrew Lewis’s forces and Cornstalk’s Shawanee warriors on the Ohio frontier?
- The Battle of Point Pleasant
- The Battle of Fallen Timbers
- The Battle of Tippecanoe
- The Battle of Little Bighorn
Correct Answer: The Battle of Point Pleasant
Correct Answer Explanation: The Battle of Point Pleasant was a significant engagement between Indian and white forces on the Ohio frontier. It was a pivotal event in the westward expansion of the United States.
What was the name of the land speculation scheme that led to the settlement of Gallipolis, Ohio, by French emigrants?
- The Ohio Company
- The Scioto Company
- The Northwest Ordinance
- The Louisiana Purchase
Correct Answer: The Scioto Company
Correct Answer Explanation: The Scioto Company was a land speculation scheme that attracted French emigrants to settle in the Ohio River Valley. The company’s history was marred by challenges and misfortune.
What was the name of the long stretch of the Ohio River known for its scenic beauty and the presence of numerous oil and gas wells?
- The Long Reach
- The Grand Canyon of the Ohio
- The Big Bend
- The Little Miami
Correct Answer: The Long Reach
Correct Answer Explanation: The Long Reach is a 16.5-mile stretch of the Ohio River that is known for its scenic beauty and its abundant oil and gas resources.
What was the name of the floating saw and planing mill that Thwaites encountered on his journey?
- The Clipper
- The Ohio River Queen
- The Belle of Cincinnati
- The Troubadour
Correct Answer: The Clipper
Correct Answer Explanation: The Clipper was a floating sawmill that traveled up and down the Ohio River, processing logs for farmers.
What was the name of the towing steamer that pulled the barge of Price’s Floating Opera Company?
- The Ohio River Queen
- The Troubadour
- The Clipper
- The Belle of Cincinnati
Correct Answer: The Troubadour
Correct Answer Explanation: The Troubadour was a towing steamer that transported the barge of Price’s Floating Opera Company, a traveling theatrical group that performed on the Ohio River.
What was the approximate population of Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1897?
- 10,000
- 20,000
- 50,000
- 100,000
Correct Answer: 50,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Wheeling, West Virginia, was a major industrial center in 1897, with a population of around 50,000.
What was the approximate population of Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 20,000
- 50,000
Correct Answer: 10,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Parkersburg, West Virginia, was a smaller city than Wheeling, with a population of around 10,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Marietta, Ohio, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 20,000
- 50,000
Correct Answer: 10,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Marietta, Ohio, was a city of about 10,000 people in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 20,000
- 50,000
Correct Answer: 6,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Gallipolis, Ohio, was a smaller city than Marietta, with a population of around 6,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Huntington, West Virginia, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 16,000
- 20,000
Correct Answer: 16,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Huntington, West Virginia, was a growing city with a population of about 16,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1897?
- 10,000
- 15,000
- 20,000
- 25,000
Correct Answer: 15,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Portsmouth, Ohio, was a significant city along the Ohio River, with a population of around 15,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Steubenville, Ohio, in 1897?
- 10,000
- 16,000
- 20,000
- 25,000
Correct Answer: 16,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Steubenville, Ohio, was a city of about 16,000 people in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1897?
- 100,000
- 200,000
- 296,000
- 400,000
Correct Answer: 296,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Cincinnati, Ohio, was a major city and a center of commerce in 1897, with a population of around 296,000.
What was the approximate population of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1897?
- 100,000
- 205,000
- 300,000
- 400,000
Correct Answer: 205,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Louisville, Kentucky, was a bustling city and a major port on the Ohio River, with a population of about 205,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Evansville, Indiana, in 1897?
- 25,000
- 50,000
- 75,000
- 100,000
Correct Answer: 50,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Evansville, Indiana, was a city of about 50,000 people in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Henderson, Kentucky, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 9,000
- 15,000
- 20,000
Correct Answer: 9,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Henderson, Kentucky, was a smaller city than Evansville, with a population of around 9,000 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Paducah, Kentucky, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 13,000
- 20,000
Correct Answer: 13,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Paducah, Kentucky, was a city of about 13,000 people in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Mound City, Illinois, in 1897?
- 1,000
- 2,500
- 5,000
- 10,000
Correct Answer: 2,500
Correct Answer Explanation: Mound City, Illinois, was a small town near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with a population of about 2,500 in 1897.
What was the approximate population of Cairo, Illinois, in 1897?
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 12,000
- 20,000
Correct Answer: 12,000
Correct Answer Explanation: Cairo, Illinois, was a significant port city at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with a population of around 12,000 in 1897.
What was the average rental fee for land near Owensboro, Kentucky, in 1897?
- 10 bushels of corn per acre
- 14 bushels of corn per acre
- 20 bushels of corn per acre
- 25 bushels of corn per acre
Correct Answer: 14 bushels of corn per acre
Correct Answer Explanation: The average rental fee for land near Owensboro, Kentucky, was 14 bushels of corn per acre, reflecting the importance of agriculture in the region.
How much did oak, elm, and sycamore railway ties from Derby, Kentucky, sell for in 1897?
- 10 cents each
- 20 cents each
- 30 cents each
- 40 cents each
Correct Answer: 20 cents each
Correct Answer Explanation: Railway ties were in demand in 1897, and oak, elm, and sycamore ties from Derby, Kentucky, sold for 20 cents each.
How often did Thwaites observe houseboats on the lower reaches of the Ohio River?
- Approximately one every 5 miles
- Approximately one every 10 miles
- Approximately one every 15 miles
- Approximately one every 20 miles
Correct Answer: Approximately one every 10 miles
Correct Answer Explanation: Thwaites noted that houseboats were less common on the lower reaches of the Ohio River, with an average of one every 10 miles.
What was the name of the industrial town along the Ohio River where 10% of the steel plant workers were Hungarian and Slavonian?
- Mingo Junction, Ohio
- Steubenville, Ohio
- Wheeling, West Virginia
- Parkersburg, West Virginia
Correct Answer: Mingo Junction, Ohio
Correct Answer Explanation: Mingo Junction, Ohio, was a major steel-producing town, and 10% of its steel plant workers were Hungarian and Slavonian immigrants, reflecting the diversity of the workforce in the region.
What was the range of wages at the Mingo Junction steel plant in 1897?
- 50 cents to $2.50 a day
- 90 cents to $5.00 a day
- $1.50 to $7.50 a day
- $2.00 to $10.00 a day
Correct Answer: 90 cents to $5.00 a day
Correct Answer Explanation: Wages at the Mingo Junction steel plant ranged from 90 cents to $5.00 a day, with most workers earning closer to the minimum.
What was the cost of coal at the Mingo Junction steel plant in 1897?
- 50 cents per ton
- $1.10 per ton
- $1.75 per ton
- $2.50 per ton
Correct Answer: $1.10 per ton at the shaft mouth and $1.75 landed at the works
Correct Answer Explanation: The cost of coal was $1.10 per ton at the shaft mouth and $1.75 landed at the works, reflecting the transportation costs involved in getting the coal to the steel plant.
How much did the gas company in Shousetown charge per month for each light powered by natural gas?
- 5 cents
- 10 cents
- 15 cents
- 20 cents
Correct Answer: 10 cents
Correct Answer Explanation: The gas company in Shousetown charged 10 cents per month for each light powered by natural gas, making it a relatively affordable option for residents in the oil and gas well region.
How much did the gas company in Shousetown charge per month for a cook stove powered by natural gas?
- $1.00
- $1.50
- $2.00
- $2.50
Correct Answer: $1.50
Correct Answer Explanation: The gas company in Shousetown charged $1.50 per month for a cook stove powered by natural gas, making it a more expensive but still relatively affordable option for residents.
What was the primary method of transportation for the “Dynamiter” as he traveled along the Ohio River?
- Skiff
- Flatboat
- Houseboat
- Steamboat
Correct Answer: Skiff
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Dynamiter” was a nitroglycerin cartridge dealer who used a skiff to travel along the Ohio River, seeking to blow up fish and make a profit.
What did the “Dynamiter” use to blow up fish in the Ohio River?
- Dynamite
- Gunpowder
- Bombs
- Nitroglycerin Cartridges
Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin Cartridges
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Dynamiter” used nitroglycerin cartridges to blow up fish in the Ohio River, hoping to make a profit.
Where did the “Dynamiter” typically sell his fish?
- Local markets
- Restaurants
- Houseboats
- Steamboats
Correct Answer: Local markets
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Dynamiter” typically sold his fish in local markets, hoping to make a profit from his unconventional fishing method.
What did the young couple living on the houseboat hope to accomplish?
- Find gold in the river
- Build a life on land
- Escape from their past
- Travel the world
Correct Answer: Build a life on land
Correct Answer Explanation: The young couple living on the houseboat hoped to save enough money to buy land and build a life on shore.
What was the primary source of income for the Round Bottom family?
- Farming
- Fishing
- Casual Labor
- Houseboat rentals
Correct Answer: Casual Labor
Correct Answer Explanation: The Round Bottom family was a poor white family who lived in a cabin on the banks of the Ohio River. They relied on casual labor and the river’s bounty for sustenance.
What did the Strawberry Grower cultivate on his small hillside plot?
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Corn
Correct Answer: Strawberries
Correct Answer Explanation: The Strawberry Grower cultivated strawberries on his small hillside plot, selling them in the Marietta market.
What did the “Cracker” family raise on their small farm near the Ohio River?
- Cattle
- Chickens
- Pigs
- All of the above
Correct Answer: All of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The “Cracker” family raised cattle, chickens, and pigs on their small farm near the Ohio River. Their children played a prominent role in household chores and farm work.
What was the primary source of entertainment for the residents of the Ohio River Valley?
- Movies
- Radio
- Theaters
- Houseboat rentals
Correct Answer: Theaters
Correct Answer Explanation: Theaters were a major source of entertainment for the residents of the Ohio River Valley, including traveling theatrical groups like Price’s Floating Opera Company.
What was the name of the traveling theatrical group that performed on a barge towed up and down the Ohio River?
- The Traveling Players
- The Riverboat Players
- Price’s Floating Opera Company
- The Great American Show
Correct Answer: Price’s Floating Opera Company
Correct Answer Explanation: Price’s Floating Opera Company was a traveling theatrical group that performed on a barge towed up and down the Ohio River. They offered a variety of entertainment, including plays, music, and other forms of entertainment.
What was the primary method of transportation for the two brothers who traveled the river collecting oil barrels and other junk to sell?
- Skiff
- Flatboat
- Houseboat
- Steamboat
Correct Answer: Flatboat
Correct Answer Explanation: The two brothers who collected oil barrels and other junk used a flatboat to travel the river. They would collect their items from various riverside locations and then sell them at different markets or trading posts.
What was the primary service provided by the floating sawmill?
- Cutting timber for construction
- Processing logs for farmers
- Building houseboats
- Making furniture
Correct Answer: Processing logs for farmers
Correct Answer Explanation: The floating sawmill was an old steamboat that had been converted into a sawmill. It provided a service to farmers in the region, processing logs into lumber for various purposes.
What was the Hermit Fisherman’s primary source of food and income?
- Fishing
- Farming
- Trading
- Houseboat rentals
Correct Answer: Fishing
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman was a solitary man who lived on a shanty boat and fished for a living. He relied on the river’s bounty for both food and income.
What was the primary method of transportation for the Hermit Fisherman?
- Skiff
- Flatboat
- Houseboat
- Shanty Boat
Correct Answer: Shanty Boat
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman lived on a shanty boat, which he also used for fishing and transportation along the Ohio River. His shanty boat was a small, makeshift dwelling built on a flatboat.
Where did the Hermit Fisherman typically sell his fish?
- Local markets
- Restaurants
- Houseboats
- Steamboats
Correct Answer: Local markets
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman typically sold his fish in local markets, providing a source of food for residents in the region. He often traveled from one market to another, selling his catch to different buyers.
What was the primary source of fuel for the Hermit Fisherman’s shanty boat?
- Wood
- Coal
- Natural Gas
- Petroleum
Correct Answer: Wood
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman likely used wood as his primary source of fuel for his shanty boat. He would have collected driftwood from the river, or he would have purchased wood from local merchants.
What was the Hermit Fisherman’s primary source of drinking water?
- The Ohio River
- Wells
- Rainwater
- Local springs
Correct Answer: The Ohio River
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman likely used the Ohio River as his primary source of drinking water. He would have collected water in containers and then boiled it to purify it before drinking it.
What was the primary challenge that the Hermit Fisherman faced in his solitary life?
- Loneliness
- Poverty
- Disease
- Wild animals
Correct Answer: Loneliness
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman faced the challenge of loneliness in his solitary life on the river. He lived a simple and isolated existence, and he had limited contact with other people.
What was the primary reason that the Hermit Fisherman chose to live a solitary life on the Ohio River?
- He was seeking adventure
- He was escaping from his past
- He loved to fish
- He was a hermit by nature
Correct Answer: He loved to fish
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hermit Fisherman was a man who loved to fish, and he chose to live a solitary life on the Ohio River so that he could dedicate himself to his passion. He was content with his simple life, and he found joy in the solitude of the river.