BOECKLING, G.A., (side-paddlewheel steamboat)
Also known as: The Boeckling
Why it's listed
G.A. Boeckling was a steel-hulled, double-ended side-paddlewheel steamboat built in 1909 at Ecorse, Michigan, by Great Lakes Engineering Works for the Bay Transportation Company. For 43 years, from 1909 through 1951, she ferried passengers, mail and some freight across Sandusky Bay between Sandusky and the Cedar Point resort, covering an estimated 350,000 miles. Because she had a pilothouse at each end, she ran half her trips in reverse, saving time on each crossing. She was loaded from the sides, a feature the nomination considers unique among Great Lakes ferries. After 1951 she served as a floating warehouse in Wisconsin until she was towed back to Sandusky in 1982. Her engine, boiler and paddlewheels had been removed, but the hold, main deck, second deck and oak-paneled cabin remained largely intact. A restoration based on the original plans was under way, with plans for use as part of a marine museum. She was considered the only American boat of her type left on the Great Lakes.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is the only American side-paddlewheel steamboat remaining on the Great Lakes and one of only two left, the other being the Trillium in Toronto. It is considered unique because it loaded passengers from the sides rather than the bow and stern. It also represents the era of Great Lakes day-boat travel, carrying millions of passengers between Sandusky and Cedar Point from 1909 to 1951.
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 83001959, listed March 3, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Jackson Street Dock, Sandusky |
|---|---|
| County | Erie County |
| Listed | March 3, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001959 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Great Lakes Engineering Works, Ecorse, Mich. |
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Unoccupied and undergoing restoration in 1982 after return to Sandusky; engine, boiler, paddlewheels and some fittings had been removed during use as a floating warehouse. A handwritten note at the end of the document says the boat burned in August 1989. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.45798, -82.71487 (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 83001959.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.