Belle of Louisville facts for kids
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
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| Owner |
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| Builder | Rees, James & Sons |
| Launched | 1914 |
| Identification |
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| General characteristics | |
| Length |
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| Beam | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Depth | 5 ft (1.5 m) |
| Decks | 3 |
| Propulsion | Stern paddle wheel |
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Belle of Louisville (River Steamboat)
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| Location | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Built | 1914 |
| Architect | Rees, James & Sons |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000535 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | April 10, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | June 30, 1989 |
The Belle of Louisville is a famous steamboat that belongs to the city of Louisville, Kentucky. It is docked at the downtown wharf in Louisville, Kentucky. The steamboat was built in 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was first called Idlewild.
The Belle of Louisville is special because it's said to have traveled more miles and been in service longer than any other steamboat like it. Its offices are on another historic boat, the Mayor Andrew Broaddus, which is also a National Historic Landmark.
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History of a River Legend
The Belle of Louisville has a long and interesting past, starting with different names and jobs.
Early Days as Idlewild (1914-1947)
When the steamboat was first built in 1914, it was named Idlewild. It worked as a ferry, carrying people between Memphis, Tennessee, and West Memphis, Arkansas. It also moved important goods like cotton, wood, and grain.
In 1931, the Idlewild came to Louisville. It started taking people on fun trips between the Fontaine Ferry Park amusement park and Rose Island, a resort upriver. During World War II, the boat helped by pushing oil barges. It also became a floating nightclub for soldiers, called a USO club, where they could relax and have fun.
Becoming Avalon (1947-1962)
In 1947, the Idlewild was sold and renamed Avalon. For the next few years, the Avalon traveled all over the country. It visited many different cities and rivers, including the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Ohio River.
By 1962, the Avalon was getting old and needed a lot of repairs. It looked like its time on the river might be over.
The Belle of Louisville is Born (1962-Present)
Luckily, Marlow Cook, a judge from Jefferson County, Kentucky, bought the boat at an auction for $34,000. He wanted to help Louisville reconnect with its riverfront. The city's connection to the river had weakened over time because of cars and new highways.
Bringing the steamboat back was a great idea to bring people back to the waterfront. After being bought, the boat was renamed the Belle of Louisville. This purchase helped start new projects to improve Louisville's riverfront, like the Belvedere outdoor space and the popular Waterfront Park.
Bringing the Belle Back to Life
Making the boat new again was a big job. A marine architect named Alan L. Bates led the restoration. His book about the Belle of Louisville is still an important source of information about the boat's history.
Before the auction, the boat's bottom (hull) was in bad shape. It had been patched with concrete, making it very heavy. Many parts of the boat had also been changed over the years. Volunteers helped strip away old parts and repair the hull in a special dry dock.
The boat was cleaned, fixed, and painted to look like it did in the early 1900s. Captain Clarke "Doc" Hawley, who had worked on the boat when it was the Avalon, helped a lot. He had saved important brass parts from being sold for scrap and returned them to the boat. He also made sure the boat's pipes didn't freeze in winter, which saved a lot of money on repairs.
Some parts of the boat, like its original steam calliope (a musical instrument played with steam), had been sold separately. Volunteers found materials from other old steamboats to replace missing parts. Local factories even made new parts that looked like the originals. The boat is still steered using old-fashioned skills, but with some modern help.
Over time, the Belle has received some upgrades. The first replacement calliope wasn't very good, so it was replaced with a real steam calliope in 1988. You can hear its music from far away when the boat is getting ready to leave. The front of the boat was also changed in the late 1960s to help it perform better in races.
Racing and Recognition
On April 30, 1963, the Belle of Louisville had its first race against another steamboat, the Delta Queen. This race started a special tradition on the river. Every year, the Belle of Louisville and another steamboat race each other. This event, called The Great Steamboat Race, happens on the Wednesday before the famous Kentucky Derby.
Thousands of people gather along the riverbanks to watch the race. The first race was so popular that more people watched it than the Kentucky Derby that same year! The race is mostly for fun and bragging rights. The winner gets a pair of golden deer antlers to display on their boat.
Today, the Belle of Louisville is known as the oldest operating river steamboat. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
The Belle of Louisville is also part of many events in Louisville, like the Forecastle Festival. During this music festival, the Belle of Louisville hosts special after-parties for VIP ticket holders. People can enjoy music and see Louisville from the river.
Challenges and Celebrations
In August 1997, the Belle of Louisville partly sank while it was docked. The boat was flooded because a water line was left connected. But thanks to the quick actions of the crew and community, the boat was saved, repaired, and put back into service.
In February 2007, Mark Doty became the new captain of the Belle of Louisville. His official title is "Master of the Fleet."
On October 17, 2009, the Belle of Louisville bumped into a dock near Six Mile Island on the Ohio River. Witnesses said the wind caused the accident during a cruise. Tugboats helped pull the boat to safety. Some parts of the paddle wheel were damaged, but the crew was able to fix it without taking the boat out of the water.
On October 18, 2014, the Belle of Louisville turned 100 years old! To celebrate, a five-day festival called "The Belle's Big Birthday Bash" was held in Louisville. Eight other riverboats from across the country joined the Belle of Louisville for the celebration. The festival included cruises, fireworks, concerts, and hot air balloons. It was the biggest gathering of riverboats in Louisville in over 100 years. Some of the money raised went to help preserve the Belle of Louisville.
Belle of Louisville in Stories
The Belle of Louisville even appears in a science fiction novel! In Rudy Rucker's 1988 book Wetware, the steamboat is a character with artificial intelligence. The story takes place in 2031 on the Moon and in Louisville, Kentucky.
Images for kids
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The United States Army Corps of Engineers helping to save the Belle of Louisville after the 1997 incident.
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The Belle of Louisville at its home, the 4th Street Wharf.
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The Belle of Louisville docked in Cincinnati near Great American Ball Park.
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The Belle of Louisville at George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky, August 1987.
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The Belle of Louisville at George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky, August 1987.
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The Belle of Louisville at the wharf with the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge in the distance, Louisville, Kentucky, December 1987.
