Sign 6:  French’s New Sensations Showboat – 1899

Augustus B French operated a series of showboats, including this New Sensations version. These floating theaters were moved by steamboats up and down the Ohio River and other waterways. Notice that the photograph shows no smokestacks on the showboat, but there is a steamboat right behind it. They would stop for one night stands wherever there might be a viable audience.  They could seat up to 1400 people at a performance and brought music, drama, and vaudeville to riverside communities that might have limited opportunities for entertainment otherwise. In this photograph, we see a band playing on the deck to attract attention. Get tickets while you can!