Marietta Ohio...First Glance

 Well, as it turned out, with all the short stops along the route, (US Hwy 52 to OH Hwy 7 along the Ohio River), I misjudged the time it would take to get to Marietta Ohio.  That meant that by the time we arrived in town, it was getting too late to do much shopping.  Worse than that, I would have received several demerits if Laurie didn't get to shop in her favorite store in Marietta.

We had stopped in Marietta once or twice before when David II, Amy and the grandsons lived in the Cleveland area.  She loves kitchen related retailers and she had discovered The Cook's Shop at 180 Front Street.  Would the store be open when we arrived?  It had been several years since we visited Marietta so would the store still offer the variety of items that it had previously?

It turned out well for me...and for Laurie!  The shop was still open and it still carried a huge variety of serious kitchen related items plus a plethora of gadgets related to food preparation, serving and dining.  

Laurie scored with 6 different items in her shopping bag...and I avoided censure or worse.  Plus the folks running the store have a 'house dog', and they were friendly and helpful.  Since it was a Saturday, the timing had been critical as although we had another full day planned in Marietta, most stores, including The Cook's Shop, would be closed.  Did you notice those floors?  They are original to this building which was constructed in the late 1800s.  

The Cook's Shop is located at 180 Front Street in Marietta Ohio.  Phone: 740-538-6003.  Website: www.TheCooksShop.com.  Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCooksShop.

The structure at the right of this photo is historically known as the Marietta Register Building.  Former home of the Marietta Register Newspaper, (1862 - 1906), it was completed in 1888.  The right side of the structure (175 Front Street) is now home to Marietta Makery - Functional Art and Design.  A very nice apartment upstairs can be leased for $1,145 per month.  The left portion of the building is home to Print With Me...Print Kiosk at Jeremiah's Coffee Shop and there is an apartment above that retail establishment as well...

That red brick building at the left dates back to roughly the same period...the late 1880s.  That symbol above the door is for Moose Lodge #1823 and that building at 173 Front Street has been 'wedded' with or incorporated into a much newer structure at its left, the Marietta Moose Family Center at 169/171 Front Street.  In the late 1890s, 173 Front Street was home to a retailer, W.A. Sniffen, Hatter and Gents Furnished Goods.  During some later period, it was occupied by the Salvation Army.   

It was very near this point at the foot of Front Street in Marietta, where the French hero of the American Revolutionary War, the Marquess de Lafayette,  landed in May of 1825, during his triumphal one and a half year tour of the United States.  The bridge over the Ohio River is called the Williamstown Bridge, connecting Marietta with Williamstown West Virginia.

Speaking of the Marquess de Lafayette, this is the Lafayette Hotel, the oldest hotel in Marietta Ohio.  An earlier hotel, The Bellevue Hotel, was built here in 1892.  Four stories tall, it had 55 steam heated rooms, a call bell system in every room and it advertised both hot and cold baths...all for between $2.00 and $3.00 per night.  

Unfortunately, the old hotel as shown above was destroyed by a fire in the spring of 1916.  The Lafayette Hotel was built on the same site and it opened in 1918...with an expansion completed in 1936.  For those of us of a certain age, guests at the hotel have included Pat Paulson and Charles Kuralt.  The hotel is considered to be one of the most haunted in Ohio.  The "Paranormal Quest" team visited, explored the possibilities, and filmed a TV show at the Lafayette Hotel back in 2019.

To learn more about staying at the Lafayette Hotel, just go to https://lafayettehotel.com/.  

After shopping and wandering around downtown Marietta, it was time for dinner.  We decided on Boathouse BBQ for a couple of reasons.  It was a very casual venue, it is a popular local joint/dive and it's situated right on the Ohio River.

The bar at Boathouse BBQ was busy.  Loved the solid slab bar top!  

Almost no one was dining in the enclosed dining room.  It was just too nice outside even for yours truly.  I normally don't like eating outdoors...bugs, wind, sunshine on my bald head, etc.  

Yes, patio dining on the river!  None of these tables were available when we arrived but since the section we were seated in had collapsible windows, our view was comparable to the second photo shown above.  No wind and almost no bugs...combined with early evening light on the Ohio River.  

Here's another look upriver in the direction of downtown Marietta and the Williamstown Bridge.  Very calming indeed...

We also had some river traffic going by...and I love boats almost as much as I do automobiles and airplanes!  Nice night for a cruise!  I do like the old time look when it comes to yachts and cabin cruisers.  The sleek new style streamlined boats that some folks love just don't look relaxing to us.

Time for some food!  Some may be surprised that I chose the Fish and Chips for my entree. ($16.99) The fact is that I knew that given Laurie's dietary efforts and a new lack of capacity on her part, I'd be able to sample some of her BBQ.  FYI, the fish and chips were good if not great.  

Laurie ordered a Vodka and Tonic with Tito's Vodka...more reasonable than usual at $7.00.  They she chose BBQ Pork Ribs with one side...she chose cottage cheese. ($14.49) As I calculated, she couldn't finish her ribs so I had a nice portion of ribs to back up my fried fish.  The ribs were pretty decent too! 

The menu is more expansive than you might think and it offers a few items that one doesn't normally see in a casual setting in the middle of the USA.  To learn more about Boathouse BBQ and to view their menu, go to https://boathousemarietta.com/#.  

As the sun started setting this large grouping of river barges appeared upriver coming from under the bridge.  As it moved toward us, we chatted with a friendly and attractive young couple.  He was a professional dog trainer and she was studying to be a veterinarian.  Later we noted that most young couples barely notice 'older' folks but that these young professional couple were the exception.

The towboat/pusher moving all those barges downriver was the M/V Ms. Nicole.  She has been around for quite a while.  The twin screw push boat was built in 1975 by Modern Marine Power Inc. in Houma Louisiana.  She has had several names during her time on the rivers, including the "Ricky James", "Capt. John H. Palmer", "R.L. Shipley", "Clay Griffin", "Henry Soudelier" and "Mike Kennelly".  Apparently she was renamed the "Ms. Nicole" after she was purchased yet again...

That's about it for now.  Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Dining Along the Ohio River...Maysville Kentucky

...continuing with our October road across parts of 8 states.  At the end of our day exploring and photographing Maysville Kentucky, it was time for dinner.  We chose a restaurant that is next to and has clear views of the Ohio River.  With the flood walls in the downtown area, such clear view options are truly limited.

This is Caproni's on the River in Maysville.  Caproni's started in the 1930s as a sandwich shop catering to railroad workers.  In 1945, the family purchased this restaurant and they operated it for many years.  Located at the base of Rosemary Clooney Street, it offers a clear view of the Ohio River...and the occasional train that roars past.  In the early years, the railroad station and its workers and passengers provided a major source of patrons.  As time passed, 'railroad customers' had faded, so the decision was made to remodel the building with a wall of windows facing the river, thereby providing a pleasant vista for most of the restaurant's diners.  The Caproni family ran the restaurant until 1990.

Following the Caproni family's departure, a number of different owners tried to run the business. Finally, in 1999, a well known caterer and Maysville native purchased the restaurant.  After extensive remodeling, Caproni's reopened in December of 2000.

We arrived early for dinner.  We didn't have any reservations so early was better.  This early in the evening there wasn't much going on in Caproni's attractive bar area.

This dining room at Caproni's is furthest from that wall of windows looking over the Ohio River...but it does provide a home for that baby grand piano.  The windows are at the left in the photo, across the aisle and 2 spacious rows of tables.

Of course the tables by the window that overlook the river are the most desired tables.  They were all reserved...but this is the view from our table, not too bad for no reservations!  By the time we were about half way through our dinner, all the window tables were occupied.  

So who are these folks?  This is 90 year old Nick Clooney with his wife Nina.  They are George Clooney's parents and they live just down the road from Maysville in Augusta Kentucky.  When they dine at Caproni's they reserve the corner table by the windows...and they are sometimes joined by their famous son and his wife, Amal.  No such luck for Laurie and I on this occasion!

At least 3 Kentucky Governors have dined at Caproni's, as has Hillary Clinton.  While not a reason to have a meal here, it does show that the food and service are for real...as celebrities and dignitaries don't break bread in average restaurants.

I do love water views in restaurants and bars...and I especially like watching lake, or in this case, river traffic.  This big Marathon Oil barges and their towboat/pusher, (aptly named 'Marathon'), cruised by just before we started eating.  The "Marathon" towboat was added to the fleet ca. 2011 and it is 144 feet long and it produces 4,000 HP.

FYI, the Marathon Petroleum Marine Transportation fleet consists of 23 towboats/pushers and 256 barges as well as ocean going vessels.

Back to our dining experience at Caproni's.  We just 'had to' start out with an adult beverage after a challenging day of sightseeing and shopping.  Laurie spotted something different that she wanted to try... 

This was her Blackberry Old Fashioned. ($11.00) It was made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, blackberry puree and orange bitters.  It was very attractive and she really enjoyed it.  I did get one blackberry!

Yes, even yours truly decided to imbibe.  After all, this was a 'vacation', at least from our normal retired life in the paradise that is East Tennessee.  I didn't get crazy though, sticking with a mild Belgian White from Blue Moon. ($4.00)

In addition to Caproni's regular menu, there were some daily specials.  I've never heard of Italian egg rolls before... The $75.00 King Cut Prime Rib was a bit too steep for my wallet...although I was tempted by the Sicilian Swordfish.  

With Laurie's continued weight loss and less appetite, we skipped the list of appetizers.  In any case, all entrees at Caproni's come with the House Salad and fresh baked rolls.  The salad was very fresh and enjoyable and the bread was warm...more importantly, it came with soft butter.

For my entree, I chose one of the items listed as Traditional Favorites.  This was my Chicken Scallopini. ($21.00) I had a choice of sauces for my angel hair pasta.  They include parmesan, marsala and piccata.  I opted for the latter.  My dinner's presentation was quite appealing and I really enjoyed my meal!

I did appreciate the fact that one doesn't have to go broke dining at Caproni's.  While it would be easy to spend $100.00 or more per person depending on drinks, appetizers, the entree and a possible dessert, travelers or locals watching their budget can enjoy the ambiance and the quality of the food without pause.  For example, a catfish platter is available for $17.00 and a Kentucky Hot Brown open face sandwich cost only $16.00. 

Laurie has become more demanding as her appetite and her capacity for large amounts of food has shrunk.  So, whenever possible she looks for items on menus that she regards as a real taste treat.  Mushrooms are high on her list.  So, for her entree she ordered the Portobello Ravioli. ($18.00) Cheese ravioli provided the base for sauteed portobello mushrooms.  The dish was finished with a lemon sage butter.  Happy Wife!!!

We did decide to share one of Caproni's dessert offerings.  This was a slab of Kentucky Butter Cake. ($9.00) "Unfortunately", I ended up having to eat most of this sweet treat...

To summarize... The ambiance at Caproni's is enhanced by the Ohio River flowing by but the dining rooms are nicely appointed as well.  Our server, Tonia, was friendly as well as very accommodating and patient.  The food was 'on point' too, very nice indeed.  This was a very satisfying and comfortable dining experience.

We'd recommend this restaurant to our friends and family.  To learn more about Caproni's on the River and to view their menu, just go to https://www.capronisontheriver.com/.  

I know...these photos have nothing to do with our dining experience.  Nevertheless, this is a beautiful 'ride' and a guy can dream can't he?  Laurie had to spoil my reverie by pointing out that I probably wouldn't be able to get in and out of this classic Corvette...

I thought that I should end our exploration of Maysville Kentucky with this photo I borrowed from the Internet.  Several of the historic properties I've photographed and written about are visible and this overview demonstrates the appeal of this Ohio River city.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for coming by to see what we had for dinner! 

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Maysville Kentucky - Continued

Continuing with our October road trip with more sights and history from Maysville Kentucky.  This city is loaded with historic structure and my camera was at the ready as we wandered...or shopped...through town.

This is the Russell Theater.  Located at 9 East 3rd Street, it was completed by Col. J. Russell Barbour in 1930.  Construction costs totaled $125,000 and the first movie shown was "Whoopee!" starring Eddie Cantor.  The site occupied by the theater was previously home for wholesale grocery warehousing.  The exterior architectural style is Spanish-Moorish Revival.  Constructed as a movie theater, Col. Russell did provide dressing rooms for live performers as well as an orchestra pit.  

In 1935 another company took over the theater.  In 1953, the Russell Theater was the site of the world premier of "The Stars Are Singing", starring Rosemary Clooney.  In the early 1970s another group took over the theater and they operated it until 1983.  For a number of years it served as a restaurant, a used furniture store and a used clothing store before it closed.  After it was abandoned, high winds ripped off a section of the roof.  Since repairs weren't immediate the interior plaster work was extensively damaged.  Restoration is underway, tours are offered and the theater is open for movies on weekends from May through October.

Note: Rosemary Clooney was raised in nearby Augusta Kentucky and her nephew George Clooney grew up there.  A mural of Rosemary Clooney is featured on Maysville's flood wall.

This is a miniature model of what the interior of the Russell Theater looked like originally.  It was what was termed as an 'atmospheric' theater.  Atmospheric theaters were a movie palace design that was popular in the late 1920s.  They were meant to evoke a feeling of a time and place for theater goers, using architectural elements, ornamentation and projectors.  

The Russell auditorium was decorated as a Mediterranean garden with Lombardy poplars and literary busts set in wall niches.  At the end of the movie, a rainbow would appear over the stage.  The renovation continues... To learn more just go to https://www.russelltheatre.org/.

I've included these photos just to contrast Maysville's 2nd Street as it appears now as compared to a photo/postcard from ca. 1900.  I'm basing that early date on that very primitive automobile shown on the postcard.  Note the trolley tracks and the matching electrical power line right above them.  I'm guessing that the street was paved with bricks but its hard to be certain based on the picture.

Part of the Maysville Downtown Historic District, this is the Nelson Building.  It consists of two storefronts sharing a 'party wall', thereby creating 2 major bays.  The upper floors would have once been professional office space or apartments.  The huge Roman arched windows and the belt courses of stone indicate a Richardson-Romanesque influence.

One store front, at 9 West 2nd Street, is occupied by the Sprinkles and Hope Bakery and Deli, which trains and employs people with disabilities.  The bakery/deli offers cupcakes, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, salads and ice cream.  At 11 West 2nd Street, that second storefront, based on recent information on the Internet, one can imbibe at Kenton - "Stores with a Spirit".  They offer books, an art gallery, coffees, liquor and an interesting menu for its guests.

This handsome 3 story structure at 38 West 2nd Street in Maysville began life in 1871 as the Pierce and Wallingford Bank.  I was unable to learn anything about the bank company but I did find this company bank check for sale on eBay. (Asking price - $398.98!) Given the date on the check, (1867), its a fair guess that the bank was operating somewhere else before it opened its doors in Maysville.  The building is now known as the Hay House and it's a gift shop that specializes in greeting cards, gift wrap, ornaments and a variety of gifts for any occasion.  

The Maysville Downtown Historic District is about 4.5 blocks long and 2 to 2.5 blocks wide.  When the National Register for Historic Places application was completed in 1982, the area contained 155 buildings, a cemetery and a sculpture.  62% of the structures were commercial and 28% were residential.  The other 10% of the historic district included 5 churches, 2 theaters, a high school complex, a library, a museum and 5 governmental buildings.  87% of the buildings were built before 1930 and 92% were brick.  The first floor occupancy rate was 98%.

This is the Cox Building.  It's located at 2 East 3rd Street in Maysville.  I borrowed this photo of the building from the Internet as it was so much better than the picture I took... Construction of this Richardson-Romanesque style building began in 1886 and it was completed in 1887.  The tower at the corner, the large dormer-type windows on the 4th floor, the distinctive chimneys, curved windows and that big circular stained glass window, all combine to grab one's attention.  

The building was designed to accommodate 3 large storefronts on the ground floor with appropriate storage space for the stores on the second floor.  Up to 9 tenants could occupy the upscale professional office space on the rest of the second floor.  Originally the Cox Building was a 5 story structure.  The upper 3 stories were explicitly designed for use as a Masonic Temple, specifically for the York Rite "Knights Templar".

In 2010 the roof of the building, as well as the 4th and 5th floors were destroyed by a fire.  The city has worked to restore the structure to its original grandeur...bringing it back to life.  It was rededicated in 2012.  Currently it provides space for special events and offers tours to visitors.  Occupants include the Maysville-Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ohio River Valley Artist Guild, the Masonic Lodge, the Downing Music Academy and the Maysville Community and Technical College Culinary Institute with its bakery and cafe.

Perhaps the most unusual building on Market Street is the former IOOF lodge.  Located at 221 Market Street, the building's attention grabbing polychrome Venetian Gothic ornamentation dates back to 1914.  The building appeared to be unoccupied during our visit to Maysville. 

FYI, I.O.O.F stands for the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.  This fraternal organization promotes friendship, love and truth as guidelines for daily lives and they are involved in various activities, functions and charitable events that support their goals.

Note: See the person about to enter the building at the left of the old I.O.O.F. structure.  That spelled 'trouble' for me...

Laurie just had to explore "Elementz", a small boutique gift shop at 225 Market Street featuring 'upscale gifts for you and your family'.  Maysville and Kentucky crafted items are a primary focus with items available for babies, kids, teens, women, men, pets and the home.  Laurie scored with the purchase of 2 Christmas Holiday swags.  The good news for me was that she got them for 30% off the normal price... Elementz can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elementzonmarket/.

As I was researching other buildings and historical structures in Maysville, I 

came across this blast from my past...sort of...because while I may be 'older', I'm not this old.

As I was researching other buildings and historical structures in Maysville, I 

came across this blast from my past...sort of...because while I may be 'older', I'm not this old.  As I wandered around Maysville, I don't know how I missed this building with its symbolic "The Spirit of Progress" figure at its decorative center peak.  This was retail giant Montgomery Ward's quality symbol and I spent a good deal of my work life with this company.  The building was constructed in 1928 as a Montgomery Ward department store.  It has been renovated and as best as I could determine, it's been serving as a conference center.

These are photos of the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge.  It spans the Ohio River between Maysville Kentucky and Aberdeen Ohio.  This suspension bridge was built in 1931 to carry US Hwy 62 across the river.  At that time it was the only bridge spanning the Ohio River between Portsmouth and Silver Grove Kentucky, a distance of 110 miles.

The official opening of the bridge was on November 25, 1931.  As was the custom of the time, caravans of auto club members from across the state traveled to the event.  It was declared a holiday in Maysville.  Lights were strung across the bridge and a grandstand was built for the dedication ceremonies.  Several thousand people attended the event.

This is one of the few surviving historic suspension bridges on the Ohio River.  The steel "X" pattern steel towers are a special feature.  The main span of the bridge is 1,060 feet long and the total length of the bridge is 1,991 feet.  Tolls were collected for passage over the bridge until 1945...when there was another celebration.

This is the William H. Harsha Bridge and its located just a couple of miles downriver from the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge.  This new cable-stayed bridge opened in 2000 and it handles a lot of the traffic that would have used the old bridge.  Noisy truck traffic can now bypass downtown Maysville and less traffic on the old bridge will expand its life expectancy.  Since its opened for traffic, the old bridge has been closed a couple of times with significant repairs and upgrades taking place.

The new Maysville (William H. Harsha) Bridge has a main span of 1,050 feet and a total length of 2,100 feet.  Each of its towers consists of battered reinforced concrete cellular shafts.  The deck of the bridge is 60 feet wide.

With the construction of the flood walls, the old Louisville and Nashville Railway depot was moved about a quarter mile south from its original location and this new depot was constructed in its place.  As the article notes, the old depot was repurposed by the city for offices and the fire department. 

This is the old Chesapeake and Ohio Depot in Maysville Kentucky.  This Georgian-style depot was built ca. 1918.  The first photo was borrowed from the Internet as it shows the front of the depot.  The depot is one of the few buildings near downtown Maysville that doesn't sit behind the floodwall.  Of course, neither do CSX Transportation's double tracks.  

Amtrak refurbished the old depot.  It had closed in 1968 and it was rebuilt in 1971.  The depot is located at the corner of West Front Street and Rosemary Clooney Street.  It now services Amtrak's Cardinal trains 50 and 51 with service on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.  The depot lacks a station agent or station services but it does have a waiting area that is furnished with traditional wooden benches.  In 2023, the depot served 2,111 travelers.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave