Historical Images and Such & Co.

".....in 1923, Tom Reynolds' new Showboat Majestic slid into the water near Pittsburgh. This started the Majestic on a career that carried her over the Ohio River and its tributaries for the next 20 years. Tom Reynolds and family lived, played and performed on the "Boat" until World War II, when it was tied up at Henderson, West Virginia for three long years. In 1945, Hiram College and Kent State University leased the Majestic from the Reynolds family as a summer theater experience for students. This academic alliance revived the concept of Showboatin' and tramped the "Inland Waterway" once again. In 1960, the Indiana University took over and maintained the tradition".

"..... in 1967 the City of Cincinnati purchased the Showboat Majestic" to serve as a focal point for the developing Central Riverfront. Until 1988, it was leased to the University of Cincinnati as a summer stock theater for students. Now, under the administration of Cincinnati Landmark Productions, in cooperation with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the Majestic is a professional summer stock theater utilizing local performers, providing opportunity and experience in theater rich with history, nostalgia and a river of romance!

"The Riverboat Majestic" as it appears as a focal point in the developing Central Riverfront at the base of Broadway

"The ticket office and entry into auditorium of the Showboat"

"Bulletin Board of displays for show and coming attractions"

"Inside the ticket office with momentary & historical nostalgia"

"Inside Showboat Majestic 220 persons capacity auditorium"

"A picturesque View of Riverboat Majestic & Ohio River"

The "Safety at Sea Act" of 1965 finally prohibited the wooden-hulled Majestic from transporting it's company from town to town---it had to be tied up and drydocked. While there are newer boats on the Ohio today, the Majestic was the last of the purpose-built "floating operas", the last to make one-night stands, the last to actively travel, the longest-lived under one owner and home of the largest family-the eleven Reynolds' ever reared children-the most ever on a "traveling showboat".... With the burning of the original Goldenrod Showboat in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 1, 1962, the "Showboat Majestic" became the last survivor of the singularly American tradition of floating theaters. On December 20, 1989, the Showboat Majestic became an official "National Historical Landmark".... West Virginia for three long years. In 1945, Hiram College and Kent State University leased the Majestic from the Reynolds family as a summer theater experience for students. This academic alliance revived the concept of Showboatin' and tramped the "Inland Waterway" once again. In 1960, the Indiana University took over and maintained the tradition".

"..... in 1967 the City of Cincinnati purchased the Showboat Majestic" to serve as a focal point for the developing Central Riverfront. Until 1988, it was leased to the University of Cincinnati as a summer stock theater for students. Now, under the administration of Cincinnati Landmark Productions, in cooperation with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the Majestic is a professional summer stock theater utilizing local performers, providing opportunity and experience in theater rich with history, nostalgia and a river of romance!

More Showboat Majestic photos can be found in the Gallery Photos!