President (1924 steamboat) facts for kids
|
PRESIDENT (Steamboat)
|
|
|
Formerly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
|
|
 |
|
| Location | Effingham, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Midland Barge Co |
| NRHP reference No. | 89002460 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | December 20, 1989 |
| Designated NHL | December 20, 1989 |
| Removed from NRHP | July 13, 2011 |
| Delisted NHL | July 13, 2011 |
The President is a famous old steamboat that is now taken apart in Effingham, Illinois, USA. It was built in 1924 and was first called Cincinnati. This boat is special because it's the last "Western Rivers" style sidewheel steamboat left in the United States that was used for fun trips.
For a while, it was listed as a National Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. However, these special titles were removed in 2011. The President has traveled to many different cities, including Cincinnati, Ohio, New Orleans, Louisiana, and St. Louis, Missouri.
Contents
The Steamboat's Story
Early Days as Cincinnati
The President was built in 1924 by the Midland Barge Company. It was first owned by John W. Hubbard and called the Cincinnati. The boat was meant to be a "packet boat," which means it carried both people and goods. It traveled overnight from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Louisville, Kentucky during the summer.
After the hull (the main body of the boat) was finished, the owners added two more decks. This made the boat much bigger, so it could carry more passengers. The company that ran the boat, Louisville & Cincinnati Packet Company, started offering fun trips. Its very first trip was to New Orleans for the famous Mardi Gras celebration in 1924. They continued these Mardi Gras trips every year until 1930. Sometimes, the Cincinnati even traveled upriver towards the Pittsburgh area.
Becoming the President
In 1933, a company called Streckfus Steamers bought the Cincinnati. They took the boat apart down to its hull. Then, they rebuilt it with 24 waterproof sections and five new decks made of steel. The company moved the boat to its new home in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, it became a fancy boat for special trips.
The boat was renamed the President. This newly updated sidewheel steamboat was 285 feet long and could hold 3,000 passengers. Its ballroom was big enough for 1,000 dancers! The inside was designed to feel open and spacious.
The President opened for business in 1934. Streckfus Steamers advertised it as a "New 5 Deck Luxury Super Steamer." They said it was the "Biggest and Finest On The Upper Mississippi." The boat traveled without a fixed schedule or regular stops, which was called "tramping." This continued until 1941.
Life in New Orleans
In 1941, the President moved its home port to New Orleans. During World War II, it became harder to get fuel, and many young crew members joined the armed forces. Because of this, the boat stopped "tramping" and stayed closer to New Orleans for its trips.
After the war, the President stayed in New Orleans for many years. It became a very popular place for music concerts. Famous bands like U2 and Cyndi Lauper played there. Local New Orleans artists also performed on the boat. You might have even seen the President in movies! It appeared in the 1958 Elvis Presley film, King Creole, and in the 1973 western "My Name is Nobody."
In 1978, the boat's two side wheels were removed. They were replaced with powerful 1,000 horsepower (750 kW) diesel engines. This made it easier to steer the large boat, especially in windy conditions.
Return to St. Louis and Special Recognition
After October 1987, the President was sold and moved back to St. Louis, Missouri. While it was there, it received special recognition. On December 20, 1989, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also named a National Historic Landmark.
However, on July 27, 2011, the Department of the Interior announced that the President was no longer a National Historic Landmark. It was also removed from the National Register. This happened because the boat had lost some of its original historical features.
From Fun Trips to Casino
In 1990, the President had its last dinner and dancing cruise. It then went through a huge renovation that cost ten million dollars. The boat was turned into a floating casino. A company now known as Isle of Capri Casinos bought it.
In 1991, the state of Iowa made riverboat gambling legal. The President opened in Davenport, Iowa, as a casino. It had 27,000 square feet (2,500 m2) of space for games. It was the second riverboat casino in the United States in modern times.
Where is the President Now?
The President stopped being used in 1999. In 2004, it was reported to be on the Yazoo River in Mississippi. At that time, it was for sale. It was also located for a while at Treasure Island in Lake McKellar in Memphis, Tennessee.
In January 2009, the President was in Alton, Illinois. Later, it was taken apart and moved in pieces to St. Elmo, Illinois, which is near Effingham. Some local business people hope to put the boat back together. They want to make it a tourist attraction and a hotel that doesn't float. However, they are still working on getting the money needed for this big project.
See also
