6- 1850- STEAMBOATS!

6
1850- STEAMBOATS!

The first steamboat was launched in New Orleans around 1811, and with it launched a new era in transportation along the Mississippi River corridor. The Steamboat era ran most of the 19th century and transformed St Louis from a sleepy trading post to the second largest port in the United States and the largest city west of Pittsburgh. Steamboats became an integral part of midwestern commerce and culture and dominated the river for over a century.

Mark Twain was inspired by the steamboat world of the Mississippi and became one of Missouri's great treasures. Famous steamboats like the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, Natchez, Zebulon Pike, and finally the Admiral graced the banks of St Louis with their presence.

Now though a few boats survive, the lore of that era remains mostly forgotten by most Americans. A resurrected steamboat museum has become a tourist attraction in Kansas City, but St Louis has little to show for an era that made it great.

The Steamboat exhibit at the Arch could consist of three components:
A- Actual touring Steamboats much like the Huck Finn and Becky Thatcher that currently operate, but hopefully some day more elaborate and profitable.

B- Small water taxi's shaped like Steamboats that will be used to transport people from one shore to the other, for just a quick, cheap taste of river life. (These don't have to be steam powered, but at least need to look like a small Riverboat)

C- A racing exhibit and fountain that will be permanent and stationary. Ideally it will have a fountain in the middle and a river racetrack that runs in an oval. On it will run toy and miniature riverboats that can be raced or driven by the public for a nominal charge via remote control. Associated with it would be some historical exhibits and photos of the steamboat era. This will hopefully educate and entice the
public to try out A and B.