Clarksville was established in 1783 on land granted to Col. George Rogers Clark and his men, who defended the territory from British assaults 1778-79. Clark strategically positioned an outpost at the head of an unnavigable section of the Ohio River—2.5 miles of cascading rapids, or cataract falls, created by rock reefs. Though they provided a natural defense, the falls of the Ohio impeded early commerce. Goods had to be portaged around until the Portland Canal was completed at Louisville in 1830. Learn More...