Shanty-Boat

Bys: Lighty, Kent and Lighty, Margaret

"Shanty-Boat" is an immersive travel narrative that follows Kent and Margaret Lighty on a remarkable four-month expedition down the Mississippi River. Traveling from St. Paul to New Orleans in a modest, motorless houseboat, the authors provide a vivid firsthand account of life along the "Father of Waters" during the late 1920s.

The narrative captures the essence of a drifting existence, introducing readers to the diverse characters who inhabited the riverbanks-from fellow shanty-boaters and fishermen to small-town residents. As they navigate the currents, the Lightys document the changing landscape, the technical challenges of river travel, and the unique social atmosphere of the American interior. Their journey offers an intimate look at the transition between the old river ways and the modern era, blending adventure with observational wit and historical detail.

This work stands as a significant piece of Americana, preserving the sights, sounds, and folklore of the Mississippi before the mid-twentieth century transformed its shores. "Shanty-Boat" remains a timeless exploration of freedom and discovery, appealing to those interested in maritime history, regional American culture, and classic travel literature.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025984692
• ISBN13: 9781025984698
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.2"