Steamboats were a vital part of Powhatan's history. Before the advent of automobiles and railroads, America's rivers were an economic life vein. The Black River connected Powhatan, via the White River and Mississippi River, to New Orleans and, by extension, the world.
The first steamboat to visit the Powhatan area was the Laurel in 1829, before the town had been properly established. It was said to visit Lauratown and Davidsonville as well. There were other boats that made regular stops at Powhatan, including the Fairy Queen, Clara Inman, Bragg, and Black Diamond. [1]
See:
LaFourche (1834, ran aground 5 miles below Davidsonville)2
[1] Powhatan SP exhibit.
2. The Arkansas Gazette (Arkansas Post, Arkansas, Arkansas) · 6 May 1834, Tue · Page 3 new_named_steamboat_on_Black_River.pdf
