This is an old sternwheel riverboat called the Becky Thatcher. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She is moored at the junction of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers directly across the river from here in Parkersburg. I took this photo from the middle of the river while standing on the walkway of an old railroad bridge. Muddy water below for sure but a wonderful vantage point from which to photograph.
Here you can see what was once the captains cabin.
I really liked the design on the smokestacks.The Becky Thatcher was once the Mississippi III. It was built in 1926 as an Army Corps of Engineers inspection boat. It was retired by the Corps in 1961 and was refitted and remodeled as a restaurant and museum and moored in St. Louis, Missouri where she was renamed. The City of Marietta bought it and it was refitted and used as a restaurant, theatre and riverboat saloon until about two years ago. It is presently for sale for a whooping $299.000.00! That's reduced from $550K. It no longer runs under its own power and would be quite expensive to move from its present location. I have a feeling I'll be able to keep seeing it for a very long time.
