From pre-colonial times to the post-industrial age, rivers have shaped the course of American history and culture. Take a fascinating historical journey down the greatest rivers in the United States and learn how they have influenced the people and communities that live and work on them. The histories of these rivers include many of the notable names in American history, such as Lewis & Clark, John Colter, Zebulon Pike, and Tecumseh. The Hudson is only 315 miles long, but it is striking in many aspects. It is justly famous for its remarkable beauty, but its upper reaches also have powered textile and lumber mills for centuries.