Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - History & Culture (U.S. National Park Service)

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is rich with historical and cultural topics. Two topics are presented here. The Flood of 1952 demonstrates how the Mississippi sometimes requires an immediate response from the people and governments that line its banks. The other, Songs of the Mississippi presents many faces of the Mississippi and stories of people who live and work with it.

Historic Resources Study
The Historic Resources Study of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area was developed cooperatively by the National Park Service, and the U.S. Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District in 2003. The electronic version of the Historic Resources Study is available for download in PDF format.

The Flood of 1952
In 1952, a flood covered hundreds of acres of farmland, multiple cities and left over 2000 families homeless till the end of April.

River Songs
Charlie Maguire was hired by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area to write and perform songs about the Mississippi River and the people that have been --and continue to be-- affected by its many faces.