Showboat GoldenRod

Thanks, Wayne, for your update on the old SHOWBOAT GOLDENROD. Just yesterday I acquired a photo of her (in much earlier days) underway and being pushed by the steam towboat CROWN HILL in the Madison, Indiana area. Here's hoping the showboat gets a new lease on life soon!

Wayne, I posted a couple of months ago about the GOLDENROD. The towboat is the old AMERICA, originally of Federal Barge Lines and at the time it was the largest towboat on the river. When I came through there a couple of months ago, the Kampsville Ferry operator told me about the plans to convert the AMERICA to a B&B. Also there is the sternwheel ferry boat GOLDEN EAGLE, which he said was going to be put in excursion service. What the fate of the GOLDENROD is I do not know, but all that is a pretty ambitious project anywhere, but especially in Kampsville, Illinois!

Thanks Bob and Keith,
Bob i knew someone had posted about that just couldn't remember who or the exact details.I wonder if the b&b plans might somehow tie into the huge Marina being built at Grafton.I found it odd that the GoldenRod had been placed in front of the America.Thanks for the name of the towboat also Bob.During the winter they had her pretty well protected by having boats placed all around her.By having her tied in front of the America she is totally exposed to anything that might be heading down stream now.

I want more then anything for someone to do something with her before we all lose this piece of the past.Sure wish i had the $$$ as i bet i could figure out a way of using her and keeping her intact as she was meant to be.Nice to dream but then reality sets in 🙂

Thanks again for the info Bob appreciate it and will keep everyone posted as to what i see when i travel though there.Let's hope that someone comes up with a great plan before we lose her to some unforeseen circumstance!

Goldenrod

What is the latest news of THE GOLDENROD. I have been off the Steamboats.org for a while – since January 2005 to be exact. Did I read that correct - that the Goldenrod is now being towed to Madison, Indiana? To be a Bed and Breakfast? I had great hopes for her (The Goldenrod) after Lewis and Clark Landing purchased her. My memories go back to 1977 when she was a showboat downtown Saint Louis. The melodramas were so much fun - I still have my playbills from each one I saw. The history from that showboat was unreal. It was sad that she was vandalized and a lot of her memorabilia was destroyed. I enjoyed seeing the photos of her today. Will she be leaving Alton area soon - or has she left??

Steamboats.org had some recent activity regarding the Goldenrod...

SEE: http://www.steamboats.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1492

Yes, we had a good time visiting Kampsville that day. Of course, in these photos, the Goldenrod was behind the towboat, not in front of it as it being mentioned now.

Darin Schuld;6297 wrote: Yes, we had a good time visiting Kampsville that day. Of course, in these photos, the Goldenrod was behind the towboat, not in front of it as it being mentioned now.

We sure did Darin...Pat Welsh made the trip by treating to ice cream in Hardin, IL while the Illinois River bridge was up!

Ah yes, Cousin, the ice cream stop. Why wait in line for the draw bridge, when you can go have ice cream and cross the river after the crowd. That did make the trip even better. Thanks Pat!