In 1951, the rising Mississippi threatened to inundate the little town of Portage des Sioux above St. Louis. At St. Francis Church in Portage, the Legion of Mary prayed to the Virgin in a new way, as Our Lady of the Rivers, on their town's behalf, and on July 21 the river crested without flooding it. Grateful Catholics decided to build a commemorative shrine, spreading the word and collecting donations nationwide. A 25' fiberglass statue of Our Lady of the Rivers by Norma McClary was dedicated October 13, 1957 on the riverside. Every July, near the anniversary date, the shrine hosts a Blessing of the Fleet, when the town priest prays over a gathering of decorated boats. (Picture from River Bill's Archive Page, www.riverbills.com.)