The Streckfus Riverboat Dynasty: Jazz and the Big Smoke Canoe
In 1880 John Streckfus began a commercial packet business serving the Rock Island community that evolved to become the largest excursion riverboat operation serving the Mississippi from St. Paul to New Orleans and the Ohio from Pittsburg to St. Louis. Streckfus built the sternwheeler J.S., the first purposed sightseeing and music/dance riverboat in 1900. When the J.S. suffered a tragic fire and burned to the waterline in 1910, Streckfus and his sons acquired additional wooden vessels which were transformed into palatial excursion vessels over the next eighty years. Music was central to the attraction of Streckfus Steamers and the legendary black pianist and bandleader, Fate Marable ran the show on Streckfus vessels which "tramped" the Mississippi with extraordinary bands which included the likes of Louis Armstrong and Charlie Creath. Streckfus was eventually forced to retire its wooden fleet of the Capitol, J.S. Deluxe, Saint Paul and Sidney to make way for its gargantuan football field-sized all metal steamers, the President and Admiral. This is a thrilling story of the days of excursion riverboat glory on the great Mississippi and Ohio rivers.