Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, people wanted to travel across a big river called the Columbia River. But the river was too big and hard to cross, so they needed something special to help them. That's where the steamboats came in!
A steamboat is like a really big boat with a special engine inside that works with steam. Steam is like a big, white cloud that comes out of hot water, and it powers the engine that makes the boat move.
The steamboats on the Columbia River were very important because they helped people and things get from one side of the river to the other. The steamboat was such a big and powerful boat that it could carry many people and lots of heavy things, like boxes and barrels of food, from one place to another.
Steamboats were especially important for people who lived on farms or in small towns near the river. They would load up their things on a steamboat and travel to bigger towns and cities to trade and sell their goods.
The steamboats on the Columbia River were also used for fun and entertainment. People would go on steamboat rides and enjoy music, dancing, and other activities while cruising down the river.
Overall, steamboats were very important because they made it possible for people and things to move across the Columbia River more easily, and they provided a fun way for people to enjoy the sights and sounds of the river.