Majestic (riverboat) facts for kids
Majestic moored at Cincinnati
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United States |
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| Name | Majestic |
| Owner | Joe Brumley |
| Launched | 1923 |
| Acquired | 2019 |
| Out of service | 2013 |
| Status | Moored Performing Arts Theater |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Showboat |
| Draft | 12 in (300 mm) |
| Propulsion | Diesel sternwheel towboat Attaboy |
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Majestic (Showboat)
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Majestic and Attaboy on the Ohio River in 1943
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 Location in Ohio
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| Location | New Richmond, Ohio |
| Built | 1923 |
| Architect | Tom Reynolds |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003085 |
| Added to NRHP | January 3, 1980 December 20, 1989 |
The Majestic is a special old riverboat. It is currently docked on the Ohio River in New Richmond, Ohio. Built in 1923, it was the very last floating theater made in the United States. It also operated for a very long time. Because of its history, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
Contents
About the Majestic Showboat
The Majestic is docked on the Ohio River in New Richmond, Ohio. It is about 135 feet (41 meters) long. The boat is 40 feet (12 meters) wide. Its bottom part, called the draft, goes about 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) deep in the water.
The boat's original wooden hull is now covered by a steel one. You can still see the old wooden hull from inside the boat. The part of the boat that holds the theater has not changed much since 1969.
History of the Majestic
The Majestic was the last of the old traveling showboats. It was built in 1923 in Pittsburgh. For many years, it traveled along the Ohio River and other nearby rivers. It stopped in towns along the way to put on shows.
The Majestic always traveled with a small tugboat called the Attaboy. The Attaboy would pull the Majestic from one town to the next.
The Reynolds Family Era
Tom Reynolds and his family owned and lived on the Majestic until 1959. They also ran all the shows. Tom Reynolds came from a family that had owned showboats for a long time. His first boat, the Illinois, was lost in a fire in 1916. He then built the America to replace it.
From 1945 to 1959, some colleges worked with the Reynolds family. These included Hiram College, Kent State University, and Indiana University. This partnership allowed students to get summer theater experience on the Majestic. In 2014, a professor named Tom Weatherston made a movie about this special partnership.
Captain Tom Reynolds sold the Majestic in August 1959. He sold it to Indiana University for $30,000. He had steered the Majestic on many rivers for 36 years. These rivers included the Ohio, Kansas, Mississippi, and Kanawha rivers.
In December 1959, Captain Reynolds was working on the tugboat Attaboy. It was docked next to the Majestic. Sadly, he fell into the Kanawha River and drowned. He was 71 years old and had spent his whole life on or near the river.
Changes and New Homes
In 1965, the Majestic had to go into a special dock called a dry dock. This was because of a new law that said wooden boats could not carry people overnight. Also, the boat's wooden hull was getting old. While in dry dock, a new steel hull was added around the old wooden one. The boat also got new features like air conditioning.
The City of Cincinnati bought the Majestic for $13,500. It became part of the city's riverfront area. The boat was docked at the Cincinnati Public Landing. A group called Cincinnati Landmark Productions took care of it. Tim Perrino was the captain for 23 years until March 2019.
New Owners and Locations
In 2019, the Majestic was sold at a public auction for over $100,000. Joe and Cortnee Brumley bought it. In December 2019, the boat opened again to the public. It hosted a show called "The Majestic Christmas." This was its first public event since moving to Manchester, Ohio.
In December 2020, news reports said the owners were thinking about moving the boat to Maysville, Kentucky. This city has a riverfront area for entertainment. However, talks with another city, Augusta, Kentucky, did not work out.
On December 17, 2020, Maysville City officials learned more about the Majestic. Joe Brumley now owned 100% of the boat. He had also started a non-profit group to run it. The city wanted to make sure everything was clear before letting the boat dock there. Mr. Brumley was worried about floods on the Ohio River. The boat had been hit by floating things during big floods in early 2020. He also said that staying in Manchester was not good for business.
On February 11, 2021, newspapers reported that New Richmond, Ohio would let the Majestic dock at its riverfront. The village council agreed quickly after Mr. Brumley called them. Maysville officials were surprised by the news.
On February 17, 2021, the Majestic left Manchester. It arrived at its new dock in New Richmond, Ohio. The village hopes the showboat will help bring more visitors to its riverfront area.
Images for kids
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Showboat Majestic on the banks of the Ohio River in New Richmond, Ohio
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Flooding of the Ohio River on February 13, 2020 batters the Majestic
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More views of the Ohio River flooding on February 13, 2020 near the Majestic
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