COLUMBIA (steamer)
Also known as: The Bob-Lo Boat; Steamer COLUMBIA
Why it's listed
Columbia is a propeller-driven excursion steamer completed in 1902 at the Wyandotte shipyard of the Detroit Shipbuilding Co. to a design by naval architect Frank E. Kirby. She has a riveted steel hull 207 feet long and a wooden superstructure strengthened with steel, including a second-deck ballroom and a mahogany-panelled main cabin. Her original triple-expansion steam engine and Scotch boilers remain in place and are visible to the public through an open well. Built for the Detroit ferry company to carry passengers to the Bois Blanc Island amusement grounds, she was the company's first metal-hulled steamer. The nomination presents her as one of the last two operating excursion steamers of her type, with her sister Ste. Claire, and as apparently the oldest operating American-flag passenger steamer. Alterations include a reduced smokestack around 1940, additions to the top deck, and the removal of a third-deck cabin. Her machinery and original route make her an unusual survivor.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues she is one of the last two classic excursion steamers still operating in the United States and apparently the oldest operating American-flag passenger steamer. She is one of the last two essentially unaltered passenger ships by Frank E. Kirby and retains her original wooden superstructure and propulsion machinery. She is also tied to the social history of Detroit and its ferry and amusement services.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79001171, listed November 2, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Buffalo River, Buffalo |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | November 2, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001171 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Frank E. Kirby (designer); Detroit Shipbuilding Co. (builder) |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Maritime History, Transportation |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 6, 1992 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rated in good condition and still operating as an excursion steamer at the time of nomination, with some alterations over the years. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.32657, -83.04369 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79001171.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7393418
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.