Historical Images and Such & Co.

"....tall stacks celebration aside, there was little along the Cincinnati riverfront to reflect the region's ties to steamboat history. But that did change when the groundbreaking took place for a $2.8 million project which featured the historic Delta Queen riverboat which was here for its annual homecoming. Ground was broken for the "National Steamboat Monument" at the foot of Broadway street on the public landing....

The project was originally scheduled for completion by January 2001. Officials say a number of key parts of the monument were included along with the paddle wheel. It's the original 30 foot diameter, 60 ton, bright red paddle wheel from the American Queen. The American Queen steamboat, the largest overnight passenger vessel built by a U.S. shipyard since the 1950s...The vessel began operations in 1995 and It was a damaged paddle wheel from it, utilized, that had to be replaced by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company.....

"The paddle wheel as viewed from Broadway Street on the public landing...The park atmosphere is seen"

"Two dozen musical smokestacks, 10 feet tall, as an interested person walks by causes the music to sound"

"A further view of the monument---the 10 ft. smokestacks provide a collage of sounds--- different musical sound"

"A view of the monument and sense of the setting of the Steamboat Monument and the relation to Ohio River"

"In 1852, with the steamboat trade peaking, some 8,000 riverboat landings recorded here--a primary shipping point"

"The monument to Tall Stacks is also a beautiful and inviting addition to a Sawyer Point that is also enhanced"

TALL STACKS TO RETURN TO CINCINNATI IN 2012, after a six-year hiatus, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Tall Stacks festivals have been held in Cincinnati in 1988, 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003, and 2006. The 2012 event is set for October 3-7. The popular riverboat festival attracts passenger boats from around the inland river system for several days of excursions, races and other events. The last Tall Stacks, held in 2006, drew 16 boats and an estimated 800,000 people. The event had the economic impact on Cincinnati's overall commerce estimated at $50,000,000. Among those boats in 2006, though, were the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen, neither of which are cruising anymore. Without those two large---and authentic--steamboats, and with the lingering effects of the "great recession," the festival may be a tougher sell next year. The official web site for the event is www.tallstacks.com ---The event support is about 70% complete..

More Steamboat photos can be found in the Gallery Photos!