In the PLCHC Photo Collection of Inland Riverboats, I found a photo of a boat steaming by Georgetown Landing. The steamer’s name was listed unidentified. Part of the name is visible when the photo is enlarged ==> ” ????ATE “. Other clues are provided by the descriptive characteristics of the boat: sternwheel, texas, simple stacks, and a minimalist designed pilot house.
Ohio River at Georgetown from the south bank (From the Collection of The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County)
With Way’s Packet Directory in hand, I started my investigation. Seventeen boats names ended with word “STATE” and one “GATE”. The number of candidates was reduced to six with the elimination of side wheelers and the absence of a texas. I began a search for photos of the six candidates. At the UW La Crosse – Historic Steamboat Photographs, a photo of the str Keystone State fit the clues and matched the unidentified photo. Level of confidence — 95%.
My level of confidence increases considerably knowing that the captain of the Keystone State was Thomas Stevenson Calhoon. Thomas S Calhoon lived his entire life in Georgetown, PA. In fact, five’ll getcha ten, the photo was taken from the backyard of his property overlooking Georgetown Landing.
I will send my comments to the PLCHC wiki.