Majestic (riverboat)

Majestic on the Ohio River in 1943
History
Name:	Majestic
Launched:	1923
General characteristics
Type:	Showboat
Draft:	12 in (300 mm)
Propulsion:	Diesel sternwheel towboat Attaboy
Majestic (Showboat)
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
Majestic moored at Cincinnati
Location	Cincinnati, Ohio
Coordinates	39°5′49″N 84°30′12″W / 39.09694°N 84.50333°WCoordinates: 39°5′49″N 84°30′12″W / 39.09694°N 84.50333°W
Built	1923
Architect	Tom Reynolds[1]
NRHP Reference #	80003085[1][2]
Added to NRHP	January 3, 1980[1] 20 December 1989[2]

Majestic is a historic riverboat in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was declared a National Historic Landmark on 20 December 1989,^[2] the last and oldest American floating theater.

History

The last of the original travelling showboats, Majestic was built in 1923 in Pittsburgh and plied the Ohio River for many years offering shows at towns along the way. Tom Reynolds and his family owned, lived on and ran her until the start of World War II.

From 1945 to 1960 there was an academic alliance between the Reynolds family and Hiram College, Kent State University, and Indiana University. These institutions ran summer theater experience for students on Majestic.

After resting in dry dock from 1965 to 1967, the City of Cincinnati purchased Majestic as part of its downtown Cincinnati Central Riverfront show case. She is now permanently docked at the Cincinnati Public Landing.

The riverboat is owned by the City of Cincinnati, and has been operated as a summer theatre since 1991 by Cincinnati Landmark Productions. It was announced on Sept 10th 2013 that Landmark Productions would no longer be presenting shows on the boat.^[3]

References

1. National Park Service (2007-06-30). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
2. "Majestic (Showboat)". National Historic Landmarks Program. National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
3. PostCrescent | It's curtains for Cincinnati showboat's theater. http://www.postcrescent.com/usatoday/article/2796011

• Foster, Kevin J. (10 July 1989). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form / Majestic" (pdf). Maritime Heritage of the United States NHL Study—Large Vessels. National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  • "Accompanying Photos" (pdf). National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-09-05.

External links

• Downtown Cincinnati Central Riverfront