Louisville Live Cam

The Ohio River has played a significant role in the history of Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville is strategically located on the banks of the Ohio River, which has been a vital transportation artery and a major source of economic growth for the city.

Native American tribes, such as the Shawnee and the Iroquois, inhabited the region around the Ohio River long before European settlers arrived. The river served as a trade route for these tribes, allowing them to travel and exchange goods with other tribes throughout the region.

The first European exploration of the area occurred in the 17th century when French explorers, including René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, and Robert de La Salle, reached the Ohio River. They claimed the region for France and established forts along the river, including Fort de L'Ouest (Fort Massac) near present-day Paducah, Kentucky.