Goldenrod (showboat) facts for kids
Goldenrod in the 1980s
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| History | |
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| Builder | Pope Dock Company |
| Cost | $75,000 |
| Launched | 1909 |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Beam | 45 ft (14 m) |
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Goldenrod (Showboat)
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 Location in Illinois
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| Location | Kampsville, Illinois |
| Built | 1909 |
| Architect | Pope Dock Co. |
| NRHP reference No. | 67000029 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 24 December 1967 |
| Designated NHL | 24 December 1967 |
The Goldenrod was a famous showboat that brought entertainment to people along the Mississippi River. It was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1967. This means it was a very important historical place.
The Goldenrod was one of the last showboats from a time when they were very popular. It was also the largest and most decorated. People came to watch different shows like minstrel shows, vaudeville acts, and serious plays. Sadly, the boat was badly damaged by a fire in 2017.
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History of the Goldenrod Showboat
The Goldenrod was built in 1909 by the Pope Dock Company in Parkersburg, West Virginia. It cost $75,000 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
This showboat was huge, measuring 200 feet long and 45 feet wide. Its main theater was 162 feet long. It had 21 fancy red velvet boxes and could seat 1,400 people. Imagine how many people could watch a show there!
Showboats on the River
In 1910, there were 21 showboats traveling the Mississippi River. They visited 15 states in the middle of the country. Showboats were usually barges without their own engines. They had big entertainment halls built on top.
Over time, showboats became less common. By 1928, only 11 were left. By 1938, only 5 were still running. The Great Depression, new movies, and cars made it easier for people to find entertainment elsewhere. The days of the showboat were almost over.
Life in St. Louis
The Goldenrod was the very last showboat to work on the Mississippi River. In 1937, its owner, Captain Bill Menke, docked it in St. Louis. Even after being partially sunk and rescued twice by 1950, shows still went on! People in St. Louis could pay 75 cents to board the boat and enjoy a play.
On June 1, 1962, a big fire caused by an electrical problem damaged the boat. The main theater was almost completely destroyed. A group of St. Louis business people bought the Goldenrod. They worked hard to make it look even better than before.
They added soft carpets and a huge crystal chandelier. Many old items from torn-down St. Louis mansions were used to decorate the boat. Brass fixtures and fancy woodwork were fixed or replaced. A cocktail lounge was added, where a band played ragtime music. The rooms upstairs became a buffet dining area.
This big renovation cost $300,000. The Goldenrod had its grand reopening in May 1965. In 1967, it was officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Festivals and Performances
From the early 1960s to about 1985, the National Ragtime Festival was held on the Goldenrod in St. Louis. Many famous jazz and ragtime bands played there. From 1975 to 1984, the Goldenrod put on melodramas and vaudeville shows. These shows were full of energy and fun.
Moving to St. Charles
In 1989, the city of St. Charles, Missouri bought the Goldenrod for $300,000. They moved it to their historic town on the Missouri River. The city spent about $3.5 million over 12 years to fix it up. The dinner theater on the boat was still very popular.
In 2001, the Goldenrod got stuck when the Missouri River water levels became very low. The Coast Guard said the boat needed major repairs. These repairs were too expensive for the city. So, in 2002, the City Council decided to sell the boat.
The Goldenrod's Final Journey
When no one wanted to buy the Goldenrod, the city decided to give it away. A company called Lewis and Clark Landing got the boat. The Goldenrod was moved to storage near the Poplar Street Bridge in downtown St. Louis. Later, it was moved to Kampsville, Illinois, on the Illinois River.
The new owner wanted to put the boat in a special protected area. But this plan never happened. Instead, the Goldenrod was docked next to a tugboat called America.
An Uncertain Future
For a while, there were legal problems about who owned the Goldenrod. The boat was sold at an auction in 2007, but there were questions about if the sale was legal.
Since 2010, the Goldenrod has been looked after by Steve Debellis, Jacob Medford, and the Historic Riverboat Preservation Association.
In 2015, the boat's bottom bent when it landed on uneven ground. This happened because the river levels dropped very quickly. There wasn't enough money to save the whole ship. So, the preservation group decided to save the pilothouse (where the captain steers) and as much of the inside furniture as possible. These parts will be used in museum displays.
Work to remove the inside items happened on weekends until March 31, 2016. On April 1, 2016, the boat was given to the owners of the dock where it was moored. It is believed the Goldenrod will eventually be taken apart for scrap.
Famous People on the Goldenrod
Many famous entertainers performed on the Goldenrod. Some of them include Red Skelton, Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, and Bob Hope.
The Goldenrod even inspired a famous novel! It was one of the boats that gave Edna Ferber the idea for her book Show Boat.
