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 |
| Fate | Burned on 21 October 2017 |
| 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 |
| Delisted NHL | December 11, 2023 |
The Goldenrod was a special kind of floating theater called a showboat. It traveled on the Mississippi River and its connecting rivers for most of the 1900s. People loved watching shows on it!
This showboat was very important. It was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1967. It also became a St. Louis, Missouri City Landmark in 1972. The Goldenrod was the biggest and most decorated showboat of its time. It offered fun shows like minstrel shows, vaudeville, and serious plays.
Sadly, the boat faced many problems. In 2001, it was put on a list of 'Threatened Historical Landmarks'. On October 21, 2017, a fire destroyed most of the boat. Its special landmark status was officially removed in December 2023 because it had lost its historical look.
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Building the Goldenrod Showboat
The Goldenrod was built in 1909 by the Pope Dock Company in Parkersburg, West Virginia. It cost about $75,000 to build. The boat was 200 feet (61 m) long and 45 feet (14 m) wide. It had a huge theater inside, 162 feet (49 m) long. This theater could seat 1,400 people in comfy red velvet seats.
The Goldenrod was designed to look like older showboats from the 1800s. It had a fancy style called "Steamboat Gothic." This made it look grand and exciting for audiences.
The Golden Age of Showboats
In 1910, there were 22 showboats traveling the Mississippi River. They visited 15 states in the Midwest, bringing entertainment to many towns. Showboats were usually barges without their own engines. They had beautiful theaters built on top.
Over time, showboats became less popular. By 1928, only 12 were left. By 1938, there were just four. The Great Depression, new movies, and cars made it easier for people to find entertainment elsewhere. By 1943, the Goldenrod was the only showboat still working.
Changes and Challenges for the Goldenrod
Around 1913, R.W. Emerson bought the Goldenrod for $11,000. He made the center aisle wider, which reduced the seating to 1,300 people.
The Goldenrod was the very last showboat to travel the Mississippi. In 1937, under Captain Bill Menke, it stayed docked at the St. Louis riverfront. In 1947, its old wooden bottom was replaced with a stronger steel one. The boat sank and was rescued twice by 1950. Even with these problems, shows continued, and people could watch for 75 cents.
Fire and Rebirth of the Showboat
On June 1, 1962, a terrible fire started because of an electrical problem. It badly damaged the theater and other parts of the boat. After the fire, a group of St. Louis business people bought the Goldenrod. They were led by Frank C. Pierson and Don Franz.
They spent $300,000 to restore the boat, making it even more beautiful than before. They added soft carpets, cabaret seating, and a huge crystal chandelier. Many old decorations from torn-down St. Louis mansions were used. Brass parts and fancy woodwork were fixed or replaced. A new cocktail lounge was added, where the St. Louis Ragtimers band played music. The rooms upstairs became a dining area.
The Goldenrod had its grand re-opening in May 1965. In 1967, it was recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Entertainment on the Levee
From the early 1960s to about 1985, the National Ragtime Festival took place on the Goldenrod in St. Louis every June. Many famous jazz and ragtime bands played there.
Between 1975 and 1984, the Goldenrod also put on special shows. These included exciting melodramas and vaudeville acts. These shows were created by G. William Oakley from Denver, Colorado.
Moving to St. Charles
In 1989, the city of St. Charles 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 continued to be a popular place to visit.
In 2001, the Missouri River levels dropped very low, and the Goldenrod got stuck. It had to close because the Coast Guard said it needed major repairs. The repairs were too expensive, so the city council decided to sell the boat in 2002.
Finding a New Home
When no one wanted to buy the Goldenrod, the city decided to give it away. A company called Lewis and Clark Landing, led by John Schwarz, was chosen. The Goldenrod was moved to storage near the Poplar Street Bridge in downtown St. Louis. Later, it was moved to the Illinois River near Kampsville, Illinois.
John Schwarz had planned to put the boat in a special protected area, but this never happened. Instead, the Goldenrod was docked next to another boat, the America.
Efforts to Save the Goldenrod
In 2008, a group called the Historic Riverboat Preservation Association was formed. They wanted to save and restore the Goldenrod. John Schwarz gave the boat to this nonprofit group in 2008.
The association hoped to bring the Goldenrod back to downtown St. Louis or put it in a park lake. They wanted it to be a special place for everyone to enjoy.
In May 2013, the boat was put up for auction to pay for unpaid docking fees. The dock owners bought the boat. They agreed to wait before scrapping it, giving the association a chance to buy it back. In February 2014, the association tried to raise money. In 2016, the dock owners gave the boat back to the association to avoid the cost of taking it apart.
Damage and Final Destruction
In 2015, the Goldenrod was being moved to the riverbank when river levels suddenly dropped. The boat ended up on uneven ground, and its bottom bent.
The Historic Riverboat Preservation Association did not have enough money to save the entire ship. They decided to save important parts like the pilothouse and many inside decorations. They worked on weekends to remove chandeliers, fancy mirrors, and old photographs until March 31, 2016. On April 1, 2016, the boat was given to the owners of the dock where it was moored.
In May 2017, the boat got stuck on a sandbar and filled with about 7 feet of water as the river rose.
Sadly, the Goldenrod was destroyed by fire on October 21, 2017. The parts that were left were sold for scrap.
Famous Performers on Board
Many famous entertainers performed on the Goldenrod over the years. These included Red Skelton, Pearl Bailey, Cab Calloway, and Bob Hope.
The Goldenrod also inspired a famous story. It was the inspiration for Edna Ferber's novel Show Boat.
See also
