The history of Kansas City is entirely tied to the development of the national transport network. The first chapter of that story involved river traffic. Trappers and traders plying the Missouri River basin in small open boats, openning trade with the indigenous people of the interior. Steam powered river boats such as the Arabia brought a new stage in the development of Kansas City as a trading center. Then, in 1869, the completion of the Hannibal Bridge became the single most important event in the history of Kansas City. This was the first Railroad bridge across the Missouri River and it raised Kansas City from the ranks of similar river towns like Atchison and Weston to the place of prominence it enjoys to this day.