Near Charlestown in Clark County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

All Aboard the Steamboats!

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

1. All Aboard the Steamboats! Marker

Inscription.
Steamboats brought crowds to Rose Island.
Most visitors traveled to Rose Island by steamboat. The steamer Idlewild made the 90-120 minute trip from Louisville every day of the season. Steamers like the Liberty and the Sunshine shuttled visitors from other river towns.

The biggest steamer of all
Carrying up to 4,000 passengers a day to Rose Island, the steamer America was one of the largest river steamers in the country. At 286 feet long and 83 feet wide, the America was often chartered for clubs and churches planning annual picnics at the resort. An adult ticket cost 25 cents and a child’s ticket cost 15 cents.

“As a kid, I lived at Rose Island. My dad was head of security. My family lived in one end of the old hotel. I remember when the boat would come in, Mother said I would go under the bed when I heard the whistle.” - Marvin Bernhart

Did you know?
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It started after the Civil War when Union soldiers began decorating the graves of those that had died.

[Caption:]
For commuters who occupied cottages or hotel rooms, motorboats offered transportation to and from Rose Island.

Erected by Indiana

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Department of Natural Resources.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Rose Island Amusement Park series list.

Location. 38° 25.598′ N, 85° 37.166′ W. Marker is near Charlestown, Indiana, in Clark County. It is on Trail #7 east of State Park Drive, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located on Trail #7 in Charlestown State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3000 State Pk Dr, Charlestown IN 47111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Ohio River Valley,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Great Flood of 1937 (here,

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

2. All Aboard the Steamboats! Marker

Marker is on the left.

next to this marker); The Rose Island Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Rose Island Cottages (a few steps from this marker); An Enormous Dining Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zoo at Rose Island: Those amazing animals! (within shouting distance of this marker); The Swimming Pool: Perfect summer fun! (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History Talks: Advertisements and Articles from Rose Island (about 300 feet away); Rose Island Amusement Park: The Summer’s Highlight (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlestown.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

3. All Aboard the Steamboats! Marker

Marker is on the left.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, June 13, 2026

4. All Aboard the Steamboats! Marker

Marker is on the left. Arched entrance to Rose Island Amusement Park can be seen on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.