History of River Rafting

 

Log rafting on the Greenbrier River in West Virginia began in the early 1800s, but it reached its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, the Greenbrier was one of the most important log rafting rivers in the United States.

Log rafts were used to transport logs from the forests to sawmills located downstream. The rafts were typically made up of 70 to 100 logs, and they were often over 100 feet long and 18 feet wide. The rafts were steered by a crew of men who used long poles to push them away from obstacles and to guide them through rapids.

Log rafting was a dangerous job. The rafts were often unstable, and the men who worked them were frequently exposed to cold water, strong currents, and sharp rocks. However, the job was also well-paid, and it attracted many adventurous men from all over the country.

The Greenbrier River was a particularly popular log rafting river because it was wide and deep, and it had a relatively gentle current. However, the river also had a number of rapids and waterfalls, which made log rafting challenging.

Log rafting on the Greenbrier River declined in the early 1900s as railroads and trucks became more popular and efficient ways to transport logs. However, log rafting remained an important part of the Greenbrier Valley economy until the mid-1900s.

The painting that you sent shows a log raft floating down the Greenbrier River. The mountains in the background suggest that the raft is on its way to a sawmill in the Greenbrier Valley. The painting captures the beauty and danger of log rafting on the Greenbrier River.

Log rafting on the Greenbrier River is a significant part of the region's history. It was a dangerous but important job that helped to build the Greenbrier Valley economy. Log rafting also helped to shape the culture and folklore of the region. Today, log rafting is no longer a major industry on the Greenbrier River, but it remains an important part of the region's heritage.