tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post2966604603615520418..comments2023-10-02T08:28:06.724-05:00Comments on Ecology of Absence: Goldenrod Showboat Celebrates its CentennialMichael R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17262548806079447404noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-60780076686222287052010-05-06T17:41:19.866-05:002010-05-06T17:41:19.866-05:00My parents were investors in the 60's and I sp...My parents were investors in the 60's and I spent many summer weekends "helping" while they put in sweat equity. She looked pretty decrepit at that time -- she looks a lot better even now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-65883890628840524102010-03-06T13:46:50.066-06:002010-03-06T13:46:50.066-06:00I was hired as musical director by Frank Pierson b...I was hired as musical director by Frank Pierson back in February 1975 to add musical entertainment to the popular melodramas performed on the Goldenrod. I was a student at Washington University at the time. A couple of months later, William Oakley, who ran the successful Heritage Square Opera House in Colorado took over the daily management, fired the old melodrama team and brought in his own folks, including the talented pianist Daryl Ott. I was one of only three entertainers asked to stay on, which I did for several months. Although the new melodramas lacked the "authenticity" of the earlier shows led by actor Bill Rowley, Oakley did create a solid business out of what had become a tired concept. Among other innovations, Oakley supplemented the melodramas with tightly scripted 39-minute vaudeville shows of very high quality. Although I only appeared in five shows at the Goldenrod, I am deeply grateful for having had this opportunity - and to play at the 1975 National Ragtime Festival. And it was truly an honor to have known both Frank Pierson and Bill Oakley. As for the boat itself, to let this landmark decay further would be an absolute scandal. I sincerely hope the old girl will be rescued and revived by people who love her as much as her former "crewmembers".Eric Reisshttp://www.fatdux.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-55207080960279811952009-12-10T17:35:49.982-06:002009-12-10T17:35:49.982-06:00I worked on 5 of the last shows performed on the G...I worked on 5 of the last shows performed on the Goldenrod stage.<br /><br />It was an honor, each and every time, to walk up that gangway to enter the theater.<br /><br />What a tragic shame that more hasn't been done to save her.<br /><br />I loved being a part of her history, even if it was at the end.<br /><br />If someone does take the helm once again, I'd love to be a part of it!<br /><br />GrannySuzeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-42944287063011288442009-10-20T11:42:34.041-05:002009-10-20T11:42:34.041-05:00last year while riding my motorcycle from Chicago ...last year while riding my motorcycle from Chicago to St.Luis along the Ill 100 i spotted a boat. i stopped to have a closer look. its size and bright colors charmed me but its loneliness scared me. i raced away in fear not knowing her name or history, only that she was large and spooky. those images of the desolate boat haunted me for a year. i drove a 600 mile round trip yesterday so i could have a closer look, so i could research and ease my interest. it was the Goldenrod that i had spotted and it begged me for a year to come visit her and get to know her. Now i know her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-89793304067192129082009-08-17T12:06:38.860-05:002009-08-17T12:06:38.860-05:00To Barb:
I suspect you are Blanche Forbes daughter...To Barb:<br />I suspect you are Blanche Forbes daughter. Your mother was living on board with Charlie Menke when I took over in 1975. They lived in an apartment at the back of the boat. Your mother was a wonderful source and told many stories of the early days of the boat. I think I have a picture of her playing the violin.<br />Best<br />G. William OakleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-89015058785522832009-08-17T12:02:16.455-05:002009-08-17T12:02:16.455-05:00I enjoyed your Goldenrod piece immensely. I have ...I enjoyed your Goldenrod piece immensely. I have in my files a pictorial article from Pix magazine, July 12, 1938 which might be of interest to your site. Let me know if interested.<br />Best<br />G. William oakleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-4702777994467029972009-08-17T11:38:24.951-05:002009-08-17T11:38:24.951-05:00I operated the Goldenrod from 1975 to 1984 and wit...I operated the Goldenrod from 1975 to 1984 and without fear of correction those were its golden years. We turned the boat into a very successful business and a cultural icon in St. Louis. The reasons for its demise are two: bad weather and bad city government. During the last two years of operation of the boat we were closed for 9 months due to flooding on the Mississippi. If people can't get to the boat your business declines and decline it did. As for reason number two, the city was unwilling to take a stand on an issue that seriously impacted our business. Some of you in St. Louis may remember, but here is how it went down. Young urban youths (that is the euphemism of choice) congregated in Forrest Park in large numbers on weekends. Nearby residents fearfully called the police and the police reacted with mounted patrols driving the "urban youths" out of the park. Forrest Park residents were happy, the "UYS" were not. They sought another congregating point and that just happened to be the Levee. Crowds began to gather in large number every weekend and the upshot? They began harassing our customers and we started receiving phone calls in the hundreds canceling reservations. Fearful people would no longer come to the levee. A call to the city resulted in some sort of affirmative action drone being sent down to the boat to accuse me of racism. I was the racist when the majority of my employees were black, I was the racist who hired black actors for the first time on the boat, and I was the racist who hired and promoted blacks into management on the boat. I think not.<br />For the boat to return to the levee would require a mindset that probably doesn't exist in St. Louis government. They would have to want it to succeed and actively abet that effort. I don't think that mindset exists.<br />Do you see a thriving tourist business on the levee today?<br />I agree with most on this list that the venerable old girl needs to be saved but it would probably have to be somewhere else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-55716831313846256532009-07-27T13:59:15.337-05:002009-07-27T13:59:15.337-05:00I lived and worked on The Goldenrod from 1989-1991...I lived and worked on The Goldenrod from 1989-1991 during it's transfer from The Pierson Family to the City of St Charles. It is too bad that St Charles didn't have the right mindset to keep the boat up. The restoration at the time was good. I hate hearing how it is being neglected now. Somebody please come to her and restore her to her glory! It should go back to St Louis, it needs something on its riverfront!jbpivnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-81943717629357940882009-06-07T20:14:37.480-05:002009-06-07T20:14:37.480-05:00My mother lived and worked aboard the Goldenrod fo...My mother lived and worked aboard the Goldenrod for 40 years while it was moored in St. Louis. She was an actress, musician, secretary and sometimes cook. Thanks for the great article. I spent many summers aboard the boat and have fond memories of Capt. Bill and his brothers.barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15688348755232292387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8826793.post-50647491391662300642009-06-04T09:01:38.665-05:002009-06-04T09:01:38.665-05:00Yes I remember taking a few dates back in the late...Yes I remember taking a few dates back in the late '60s on her when she was moored next to the recently built Arch. Thanks for the great story but not surprising she's still stuck in the Lou limbo.<br />johnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com