Model Riverboat

Ohio History

The Pioneer

Is it hard to believe this model steamer actually worked? It’s 1:12 scale, 24 feet long, resembles a packet boat used to tow barges, and sports miniature railings, rigging, and even window sashes. The paddle wheel contains 412 wooden pieces! It was hard to imagine the man who built it actually sailing it down the Muskingum River—but we saw a photograph of him riding on it!