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Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Photos of the world's first floating McDonald's that locals feared would cheapen iconic Missouri riverfront
The world's first ever floating McDonald's - once met with skepticism over fears it would cheapen Missouri 's scenic waterfront - has resurfaced in the spotlight, thanks to a wave of fascinating photos from its heyday. On March 11, 1980, the first ever floating McDonald's - designed to resemble a 19th-century riverboat - opened for business on the St. Louis riverfront, anchored just south of the iconic Gateway Arch. Built on a repurposed cement barge, the 702-ton boat could seat an impressive 134 diners inside, with room for another 200 on its open-air decks. Executives for the chain had high hopes, predicting the riverboat restaurant would flourish and bring in more than $100,000 in tax revenue annually. 'We have nothing like this in the whole world,' Pat Flynn, a senior vice president for the fast food chain in 1980, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time of its grand opening. On the other hand, locals worried that adding a fast-food chain to the riverfront would make the area look tacky and take away from the charm and natural beauty of the water. Marilyn O'Neill wrote on a Facebook nostalgia post: 'I thought at first McDonald's would make the riverfront look cheap, but it was pretty cool for a while.' Despite the early criticism, the floating McDonald's was a city staple for decades, delighting both locals and tourists - and leaving 80s kids with the magical impression that they were enjoying their favorite greasy meals aboard a yacht. But after 20 years on the water, the iconic McBoat quietly vanished, leaving behind unanswered questions and a wake of nostalgia. All that remains in its once-lively wake are historical photographs - snapshots from a time when spotting the boat was both routine and a whimsical highlight of waterfront trips. The photos, captured in both black-and-white and color, feel like a glimpse into a totally different era. The only clear link to today's modern McDonald's is the iconic red and yellow color scheme that still remains widely recognizable. Its fascinating history began in 1980, when Dr. Benjamin H. Davis Sr. made the floating eatery his fourth McDonald's franchise, according to St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The idea originated the year before, when Samuel Haynes, the company's real estate manager at the time, announced that 'McDonald's is interested in special feeding'. 'If we can find a large group of people together, we should be able to feed them,' Haynes told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at the time. 'The Arch draws more than 3million people a year.' Initially, the company aimed to purchase space in the museum beneath the Arch, but the government was not willing to lease the space to private enterprises. Built on a repurposed cement barge, the 702-ton boat (pictured) could seat an impressive 134 diners inside, with room for another 200 on its open-air decks 'Then we looked down at the river and saw a lot of people taking advantage of it,' Haynes added. 'So we thought there was no reason why a company as adaptable and progressive as McDonald's couldn't do it.' In 1979, a groundbreaking 25-year lease was signed, launching the very first floating McDonald's - a bold venture that would change the dining landscape. Measuring 185 feet in length and rising 50 feet high, the restaurant was nearly ready to launch with a 200-member crew, each outfitted in unique, custom uniforms designed exclusively for the floating location. For those who experienced it, it became a lasting memory. 'I remember taking my parents to the floating McDonald's when they came to visit me from upstate New York,' author Cameron Collins recalled in his book, Treasures of St. Louis. 'My dad had never seen the Mississippi up close and personal, and tried to wade in it,' he added. 'I have memories of eating a Big Mac and taking in the Arch and hearing my mom yell at my dad, "Peter! Get away from the edge!"' Inside the floating McBoat, 19th-century paintings and murals lined the walls - creating an atmosphere meant to reflect the grandeur of the paddleboat era. Still, for at least the next decade, the floating McDonald's turned heads and won hearts - even among skeptics - eventually becoming a core memory for those who experienced it But as if the stubborn champagne bottle had been a warning from above, the floating McDonald's restaurant officially closed its doors on November 6, 2000 due to its structure - never to be seen in the St. Louis riverfront ever again Staff walked around in custom uniforms that only just enhanced the intended feel of the restaurant. Even Davis donned an admiral's outfit while on board. The floating McDonald's restaurant officially closed its doors on November 6, 2000 - never to be seen in the St. Louis riverfront ever again. McDonald's issued a statement, explaining that the location closed 'because the structure is in need of extensive renovation, which is financially not justifiable at the present'. A further explanation never surfaced, and the attraction quietly disappeared. What became of it after that final day remains undocumented - and shrouded in mystery.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Milwaukee's War Memorial Center faces a financial crossroads. What's their path forward?
In the late 1940s, Milwaukee launched the largest fundraising effort in city history to honor service members who died in World War II with a living memorial, not just another stagnant flagpole or statue. Nearly eight decades later, the War Memorial Center — an architectural gem along Lake Michigan — is again seeking support as it faces a financial crossroads. Funding from Milwaukee County will sunset over the next decade, a long-anticipated shift based on a 2013 agreement. The center is seeking $9 million from the state, matched by private donations, to kickstart a preservation fund that will generate enough interest to more than make up for the loss. "We want to continue to be good stewards of the building for generations to come," said Andy Gordon, who chairs the center's Board of Trustees and served in the Army for seven years. "We're doing it in a way that we don't need to come back to the well every year." The building was designed by Eero Saarinen, who also created the St. Louis Gateway Arch, and is full of symbolism. The boxy exterior calls to mind pillbox bunkers. It's situated 200 feet from the lake — the distance troops fought under fire at Normandy. The bars on the birdcage staircase represent POW prison cells. But the center strives to be more than a building — its mission is to honor the dead by serving the living. That includes a focus on mental health through events like Frost Fest and Freezing for a Reason, which raise awareness of veteran suicide and homelessness. Schools across the state download online lesson plans and use traveling exhibits, including one that highlights local women veterans. The War Memorial Center is unique not just in Wisconsin, but across the country, Gordon said. "There are very, very few places like us," he said. Milwaukee County's annual contribution to the War Memorial Center, which represents about 20% of the center's revenue, will fade out by 2033. It was an agreement made years ago as the county faced a large structural deficit. Cultural institutions drive tourism, create jobs and provide important mental and emotional experiences for visitors, County Executive David Crowley said in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "The unfortunate truth is that the increased costs of state-mandated services have a direct impact on our ability to continue public support for non-mandated services, such as our arts and cultural institutions," Crowley said. "We need creative solutions and bipartisan support from the state Legislature to invest more public dollars into arts and culture in Milwaukee County and across Wisconsin," he said. A similar plan was reached last year for the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum and Charles Allis Museum, which will transfer out of county ownership. More: Improving sales tax income helps push Milwaukee County's financial forecast into the black The War Memorial Center will continue to be a public-private partnership, Gordon said, though the public dollars will be a one-time amount from the state. Around $2 million in private donations will support the Vietnam Memorial on the grounds, where nearly 3,000 memorial bricks need restoration. Gordon pointed out the county's involvement will continue in other ways. Milwaukee County is ending operational funding but remains responsible for the exterior of the building, like repairs to windows. "The county has been very supportive of us," he said. The War Memorial Center has long prepared for its next chapter. Part of that strategic plan involved approaching Rep. Tony Kurtz, a Republican from Wonewoc, and Sen. Eric Wimberger, a Republican from Oconto. Both have military experience — Kurtz served in the Army for two decades and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War and Iraq War. "Especially for the next generation that comes up that's not going to know what so many people did before them, it's just important that we honor that (ultimate sacrifice) and make sure people don't forget," Kurtz said. Their bill to provide $9 million in state funds received a public hearing May 22, which several veterans attended to support the measure. Kurtz wanted to reach that first step toward becoming law before Memorial Day. The proposal has bipartisan support with nearly 40 cosponsors, unifying the Legislature's most conservative members and Democratic representatives from Milwaukee. Kurtz said the center is not just a Milwaukee County issue — it's a monument for veterans across Wisconsin, and it should be the state's obligation to preserve it. It's possible the funding could make its way into the state budget rather than a standalone piece of legislation. Kurtz is a vice-chair on the powerful Joint Finance Committee that's currently crafting the budget. A spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Tony Evers hasn't yet said whether he supports the funding proposal. "My goal, at the end of the day, is whatever the easiest path (is)," Kurtz said. "Whatever we can get done and across the finish line is important to me." The center has also worked to bring in new streams of revenue. A newly renovated ballroom is rented out for corporate events and luncheons. The Lake Michigan backdrop makes the center a popular wedding venue. A beer garden opened in 2021 through a partnership with Kegel's Inn. A community gathering space was the original intention behind the War Memorial Center. In 1946, civic leaders planned to make the memorial part of a $5 million complex with an art museum and symphony hall. "(They) wanted a space where the citizens of this state could come and enjoy the freedoms that those who didn't make it home sacrificed, so the rest of us could enjoy," Gordon said. "We could come together after a tumultuous (war)time." More: Premieres, prayers and movie stars: The past lives of Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's new home The center also provides low-cost office space for veterans groups, including the Military Officers Association of America southeastern Wisconsin chapter. It's a convenient place for veterans to meet with students working on school projects, for example, especially as veterans grow older and seek more engagement with new generations. "If the War Memorial Center wasn't here, I don't know where that would happen," said Tim Wendt, the chapter's president who served across the country in the U.S. Coast Guard. Right now, the center is in a good position. There are no deferred maintenance projects, though the 68-year-old building will have long-term needs. The center wants to avoid cutting back on services and educational programs. Admission is free, and they want to keep it that way. The center needs volunteers throughout the year, including more than 600 people to place 27,316 flags for every Wisconsinite killed in action. The Field of Flags ceremony takes place at 11 a.m. May 23. "(The center) helps you appreciate what you have, and sometimes on a daily basis, that can get lost," Gordon said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: As county funding fades, War Memorial Center looks to state for help
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Billboard featuring Gateway Arch protests cuts to National Parks
ST. LOUIS – A new billboard featuring the Gateway Arch is turning heads. It's part of a nationwide campaign protesting federal cuts to the National Park Service. The billboard displays a scenic photo of the Gateway Arch National Park with springtime trees in bloom, accompanied by this message: 'Greetings from Gateway Arch National Park. Now with reduced staff. Made possible by $ D.O.G.E.' That said, you won't find it in St. Louis. This specific billboard is on display in Des Moines, Iowa. More Perfect Union, a pro-labor advocacy group, says it placed 300 billboards across 40 U.S. cities to draw attention to staffing reductions and funding cuts at national parks that stem from the Department of Government Efficiency. The department, more commonly known as DOGE, is an initiative of President Donald Trump's second term that is led by billionaire Musk. It aims to reduce government spending and consolidate the federal workforce. DOGE's website claims that the department has saved $170 billion through federal workforce cuts as of May 11. More Perfect Union argues these cuts have been harmful to national parks, resulting in fewer rangers, reduced maintenance and limited public programming. Police spike dozens of reckless drivers in slideshows across St. Louis Regarding the Arch billboard and the broader campaign effort, More Perfect Union shared this statement with FOX 2 on behalf of Executive Director Faiz Shakir. 'National Parks are some of our nation's most cherished resources. They provide a space that all people – old, young, rich, poor – can enjoy equally and find their lives are enriched by amazing experiences. But that's not something oligarchs care much about. Some elected officials and unelected billionaires would rather privatize or eliminate our public services, we believe strongly in the need for great public parks and outdoor spaces that all Americans can enjoy.' Des Moines is located nearly 350 miles northwest of St. Louis. Though physically distant, Gateway Arch is the closest national park to Des Moines and draws visitors from all across the Midwest, one reason More Perfect Union chose to feature it there. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Teen's death in Cahokia Heights connected with three shootouts
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. – Investigators say a teenager's shooting death in Cahokia Heights was connected with three individual shootouts over one hour. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis released investigation findings Friday into the death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones. Prosecutors have charged Deontrez Mosely, 18; Xavier Lacy, 19; and Dontae Jackson, 21, each with one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm in the case, while Mosley is also charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle. What do Trump's federal workforce cuts mean for the Gateway Arch? The charges follow three reported exchanges of gunfire in Cahokia Heights on Feb. 22, 2025 between 6-7 p.m., according to a news release from the Major Case Squad. In the first shooting, reported near Kenneth Avenue and Armand Drive, a White Nissan approached two pedestrians and shots were exchanged between at least one vehicle occupant and one pedestrian. The Nissan fled from the scene and Jones, inside the vehicle, was shot and rushed to a hospital with injuries. In the second shooting, reported near the 100 block of Lazarcheff Drive, the Nissan returned, again leading to an exchange of gunfire between a pedestrian and a vehicle occupant. Another 15-year-old occupant was shot and rushed to a hospital with injuries. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now In the third shooting, also reported near the 100 block of Lazarcheff Drive, the Nissan returned this time involved in a gun battle with occupants of a black Infiniti Q50. No injuries were reported in this exchange. Investigators have since recovered the Nissan and Infiniti vehicles and determined that both were stolen from the City of St. Louis. Authorities also recovered several firearms in the investigation. The Major Case Squad says it followed up on more than 80 leads over five days leading up to its investigative findings. Anyone with additional relevant information to this case is encouraged to contact the Cahokia Heights Police Department at 618-337-9505 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gateway Arch Park Foundation, the Cordish Companies to transform Millennium Hotel site
ST. LOUIS – St. Louis-based Gateway Arch Park Foundation announced that it chose The Cordish Companies to reconstruct its Millennium Hotel property mid-February. Located at 200 S. 4th St. adjacent to the noteworthy St. Louis Gateway Arch, the Millennium Hotel's redevelopment project aims to become an exciting destination for locals. 'We are delivering on our promise to take swift action to bring vibrancy once again to this critical downtown location,' said Ryan McClure, executive director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation. 'By selecting a developer before closing on this property, we are continuing momentum with purpose and dedication.' Cordish's project also looks to strengthen notable connections around the St. Louis area, including the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, Ballpark Village and the Mississippi River. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The company's project for the Millennium Hotel amounts to almost $670 million, including 1.3 million square feet of residential, office, commercial and cultural places. Greater St. Louis Interim CEO Dustin Allison expressed in the news release about how this project can establish a vibrant spot in downtown St. Louis. 'The Cordish Companies is honored to have been selected by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation for this transformative project in downtown St. Louis,' said Blake Cordish, principal for Cordish Companies. 'This development is a once-in-a-generation moment to reimagine and continue to reinvigorate downtown's urban core. By linking new and existing assets to thriving corridors, this project will act as a catalyst for further revitalization, bringing more residents and visitors, attracting new businesses, and driving long-term growth and vitality for St. Louis and the region.' Gateway Arch Park Foundation remains under contract to purchase the Millennium Hotel. Further updates surrounding the project can be discovered here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
