Curtis Riverboat Enterprises records
Scope and Contents
Contains Curtis’ specifications for building the boat, United States Coast Guard inspection reports of the boat, other inspection reports, licenses and permits. Also included are newspaper clippings describing the boat and the Curtis operation, as well as survey descriptions of the boat and her contents.
Dates
- 1966-1972
Biographical / Historical
The City of Grand Rapids, a 64 foot long, 17 ft. wide, steel-hulled, stern wheeled riverboat was built by L.D. Clyde Curtis in 1967. The boat had two decks and was powered by a 1938 John Deer diesel tractor motor. It plied the Grand River from Ann Street to Ada, a distance of about 11 miles, at a speed of 7 miles per hour.
Curtis, a native of Barryton, Michigan (near Big Rapids) operated the boat on a charter/tour basis during the summer months until 1973.
Extent
0.21 Linear Feet (One box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Curtis Riverboat Enterprises operated a 64 foot paddlewheel riverboat called "The City of Grand Rapids." The boat was built by L.D. Clyde Curtis in 1967 and operated from a dock near the city's North Park Bridge until about 1973. It made charter and excursion runs along the Grand River between Holly’s Landing (Ann Street NW) and Ada, Michigan. The collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, surveys, calculations and legal documents from Curtis Riverboat Enterprises. The papers and records portray the building and operation of the boat.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donor unknown, accession number 1986.206
- Title
- Finding aid for the Curtis Riverboat Enterprises records
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Bruce Lee Siebers
- Date
- November 1986
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497
localhis@grpl.org