The Belle of Louisville

The Belle of Louisville is a national treasure

Story and photos by Pamela O’Meara

The Belle is parked at a wharf in Louisville

There’s nothing like nothing quite like a dinner cruise on the Belle of Louisville, an old steam-generated river boat turning 100 years old in 2014. Friends and I glided along the Ohio River from the downtown wharf in Louisville, KY, while we selected various dishes from the dinner buffet line, listened to a band and stood at the rails of the observation deck to watch the sights go by – a sailboat, old buildings, bridges, an old brickyard and finally, a stunning sunset.

The Belle is a National Historic Landmark

Sights along the Ohio River

Now owned by the city of Louisville, the Belle of Louisville was designed to be a ferry and freight vessel but was later refitted as an excursion boat. Completely paddlewheel-driven – visitors can watch the steam-driven paddles move rhythmically back and forth in the engine room -- the boat was able to travel on nearly all navigable inland waterways in the nation. It is the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world and a National Historic Landmark.

The sun sets.

In its early years, it hauled cotton, lumber and grain from Memphis. During World War ll, it was outfitted to push oil barges and then became a USO nightclub for soldiers stationed along the Mississippi. By 1962 it had fallen into great disrepair when Jefferson County Judge Marlow Cook bought it at an auction for $34,000. Then it was completely restored.

The Belle, back at the dock.

Besides lunch and dinner cruises, the Belle of Louisville offers a concession café and full service bar for guests choosing the sightseeing-only ticket. Next year special birthday events will be held.

For more information go to http://www.belleoflouisville.org.