English: Goldenrod (Showboat, 1909-?)

1916

BOAT TYPE: Showboat BUILT: 1909 at the Pope Dock Company FORMERLY: Markle's New Showboat OWNERS: W.R. Markle; R.W. Emerson (1913-1922); J.W. Menke (1922-1940) OFFICERS & CREW: Captain John W. "Bill" Menke (1927); Wm. H. Tippet (pilot) RIVERS: Mississippi River; Ohio River

OTHER INFORMATION: She originally seated 1400 people. Around 1913, R.W. Emerson bid $11,000 for her at an auction. Under his ownership, the center aisle was widened and seating was reduced to 1300. By the time J. W. Menke was her owner, the seating capacity was 980 people. In 1909 she was towed by the Wabash at Sistersville, West Virginia. From 1923 to circa 1932 she was towed by the Crown Hill. At some point, the W.W. towed her at Augusta, Kentucky. The Liberty towed her on the Ohio River in 1936. On June 1, 1962 she was damaged by fire. In 1968 she was designated a National Historical Landmark. She was still presenting live performances in 1979 at St. Louis, Missouri

PHOTO DESCRIPTION: W.R. Markle's Goldenrod in 1916 at shore with people on both decks and the towboat behind her. According to a note on the back of the photo, comedian Red Skelton began his career in vaudeville on this boat. Kathleen Nolan, actress on the television show The Real McCoys, was supposedly born on this boat