St Louis Riverboat McDonald's

rubedugans · August 05, 2011, 06:48:29 PM

The St. Louis suburb I live in had a caboose in the back of the McDonalds near the playground (next to the Golden Arches and the "Now Serving #_ _ _" that would be changed as the restaurant sold more burgers. ) where parties would be held. I would love to know what happened to that caboose

Duelist · August 06, 2011, 08:35:06 AM

Quote from: rubedugans on August 05, 2011, 06:48:29 PM
The St. Louis suburb I live in had a caboose in the back of the McDonalds near the playground (next to the Golden Arches and the "Now Serving #_ _ _" that would be changed as the restaurant sold more burgers. ) where parties would be held. I would love to know what happened to that caboose

Maybe a family of hobos moved in and their grandpa constantly takes an outside shower.

rubedugans · August 06, 2011, 10:18:52 AM

Very nice Duelist!

I remember going to the riverboat McDonald's and the riverboat Burger King in elementary school during field trips downtown (to Busch STadium(v. 2.0) and the hall of fame, to the arch, and to the Old Courthouse to re enact the Dredd Scott case) on different occasions. I think my last trip there was in 1992.
Though it isn't quite the same as a trip aboard a musty rocking McDonalds to eat a meal...here are a few post cards.

The following year, the Burger King broke loose during the flood of 1993, and took out the USS Inagural (a WW2 minesweeper) with it. This ship is still sunk downstream from the arch for those couragous enough to go look.
http://www.undergroundozarks.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3820

Duelist · August 06, 2011, 01:32:10 PM

I guess the Filet of Fish is now their top sandwich.

Those are amazing pictures, Rube! Could you take excursions on the riverboat?

sanddunerider · August 06, 2011, 03:50:13 PM

Great pics!

Junior · August 06, 2011, 04:35:28 PM

No excursions on the St. Louis McDonald's Riverboat. It was docked full time.

rubedugans · August 06, 2011, 07:20:22 PM

Correct. The McDonald's was only a floating restaurant. It was in service until 2000, but it had gone very much downhill up until this point. The riverboat casino boom of the early 90's coupled with a lack of tourism caused this, and several other boats to close. The Burger King boat had broken loose during the flood of 93, and took out the USS Inagural-a WW2 Minesweeper also moored on the riverfront. This military vessel still lies downstream from the arch, one of the guns has been stripped, half submerged and rusting- if you are brave/ silly enough to venture to the area of the city where it is sitting (go in groups, NOT alone) you will be saddened by the state of a former national historic landmark. Here is a link to some photos of the boat and it's ultimate fate.
http://ussinaugural.org/update.htm

The Becky Tatcher that once went on excursions in StL burned several years back in Penn. The replica of the Robert E Lee Sank, and the Goldenrod burned as well.
The Admiral (later called the President Casino) at one time went on excursions before the engines were removed. It was recently was stripped of it's iconic metal art deco skin, and sold for scrap. This 1907 side wheeled steel hulled steamboat was adapted many times over the years before it was what many knew in St Louis. I was fortunate enought to be on the boat early this year for the auction of all fixtures and items before the salvage routine was begun. Here is a link to the history of that excursion boat as well.
http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/county/stlouis/admiral.htm

thelarsonsix · August 08, 2011, 09:02:50 AM

I grew up in Overland and remember riding the Admiral and how cool the shiny silver skin was. I also remember NW plaza well. Seems like it the Galleria of its day. Hard to believe its gone. I remember my dad loved to go to York steak house there. Last time I was there was mid 90's and I could see then it was going downhill. Not sure if it was there or not but my grandma worked at Styx Baer and Fuller for many years. Maybe need to split this into a sr louis memories thread! Lol

betamike · August 08, 2011, 01:47:26 PM

Ahhhh the Riverboat McDonald's. No trip to St. Louis was complete without it.

I think you're right thelarsonsix, STL has taken on a life of it's own

Junior · August 08, 2011, 04:40:09 PM

Wow. The riverfront at STL has changed. It has been many years since I've been through down there. ALL of the steamboats that I knew as a kid a gone. Really saddens me about the Admiral. I remember taking rides on it as a very small child. Big band music in the dance room, it was air conditioned. KPLR 11 used to have a kids show with a comic character called the "Captain" or the "Admiral" filmed (yes, I do mean filmed, prior to common use of videotape, even in broadcasting...if my memory is not failing me.) on the Admiral. Are there any steamboats for excursions left on the riverfront? Time marches on...

rubedugans · August 08, 2011, 06:44:34 PM

Articles about the scrapping of the Admiral.

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2011/07/19/last-excursion-for-the-admiral.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2011/07/19/last-excursion-for-the-admiral.html

rubedugans · August 08, 2011, 07:02:11 PM

At this point I believe that there are no seamboat excursions on the riverfront. St. Charles (which had the Goldenrod) has none either.

I was born in Florissant, and later moved to the county. My parents were born, and raised, and schooled in No.County. They both worked at RiverRoads, and have plenty to share about the shopping centers, festivals, and parks...almost all that are all gone. Village Square is redeveloped for classrooms, and medical offices, Cross Keys has changed to a Schnucks, Petsmart, and Pier 1, Northland is gone, RiverRoads is gone, NW PLaza is now vacant...almost gone.

Ozark Outlaw · August 08, 2011, 09:21:04 PM

I hate to hear about the down turn at the Saint Louis riverfront. Sounds like it is time for the city to revitalize the area! Although, that is perhaps not a priority at this time.

I am also bummed to hear about the admiral. Turn it into a museum! Or, at least leave it alone. Over a century ago, the river was the primary trade, and commerce route for the area. Saint Louis is the axiom of that, and it is a shame that its legacy is getting washed away a bit.

Parson B Ready · August 08, 2011, 11:58:12 PM

There are still riverboat tours on the St. Louis riverfront. There are two (diesel powered) faux paddle-wheels--the "Tom Sawyer" and "Becky Thatcher" that give one hour tours 4 times a day. I took a ride on the Tom Sawyer just this last Saturday. It is a nice cruise, but the view of the St. Louis riverfront is so anti-climactic, it is primarily and industrial riverfront, there is no scenic value. I too remember riding the Admiral and going to the floating McDonald's as a kid. I grew up in the nearby town of Alton, IL. I currently work a part-time job at the Gateway Arch (officially known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial).

rubedugans · August 09, 2011, 08:34:08 AM

I knew there was some sort of tour, just didn't think that they were paddlewheeled. It is nice to know they are still running. I Usually only make it downtown for night activities, and for sporting events. I rarely get out to sight see in my own city, but I do remember taking one of those boats out as a kid.