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Santa Maria Building (The Galleon) [gone]
Absecon, NJ |
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The Galleon was built in 1926 as a real estate office to attract buyers to the Neptune's Gardens development. It was built as a replica of Christopher Columbus' Santa Maria. It was also known as the Absecon Beach Camp. There was also a miniature version of the Absecon lighthouse. The ship was originally built on wetlands and accessed by a wooden plank walkway. When the real estate market bottomed out, the Galleon was moved three miles away to where it is today. It was used as an Atlantic gas station (not sure at which location). It was also used for various shops, restaurants and offices over the years. In its last incarnation, it housed a seldom-open antiques shop. This was the last of three ships originally built. One of these was a pirate ship in Cliffwood Beach, NJ which was destroyed by fire in 1993. The Absecon ship was demolished in 2009. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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S.S. Blinky Jr. Building
Casa Grande, AZ |
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The S.S. Blinky Jr. now houses Noah's Attic (aka The Ark Gift Shop). The design inspiration came from C.J. "Blinky" Wilson who had a son in the Navy. Tires once hung on the sides of the ship and were painted to look like life preservers. From 1946-1981, the building was an auto agency. Later, it served as the Triple C Furniture store. The Blinky is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Noah's Ark
Panama City Beach, FL |
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The ship-shaped Noah's Ark was built in 1978 as a "Christian Place" which still serves youth groups in summer and vacationing senior citizens in winter. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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Noah's Ark [gone]
St. Charles, MO |
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This Noah's Ark was built in 1966 as a restaurant resembling a steamship. The ship was 155' long, 60' wide and 25' tall. It was later transformed into Noah's Ark with fiberglass animals and a statue of Noah on the roof.
Noah's Ark was closed for many years. In 2005, the structure in conjunction with the adjacent abandoned Days Inn, was used as the Haunted Hotel for the Halloween season. In 2007, it was demolished and will be replaced with a fitness center. The giraffes and elephant will be included in the center's design. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
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There is another Noah's Ark, used for children's Sunday school programs, in Burlington, WA.
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Mayflower Inn [gone]
Galveston, TX |
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The Mayflower Inn was a ship-shaped hotel designed by Ben Milam and built in 1941. It was originally known as the "SS Galveston Hotel Court". The building was demolished for condos soon after these photos were taken in 2006. For more, see this website.
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Yankee Clipper
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
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The Yankee Clipper was designed by Tony Shermann and built in 1955. The building is meant to resemble a giant cruise ship. It features a mast, porthole windows, and deck-like balconies and railings. The hotel is now owned by Sheraton. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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Fulton Steamboat Inn
Lancaster, PA |
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The Fulton Steamboat Inn, built around 1990, is a full-sized replica of a riverboat. It is located on the Lincoln Highway, just a few miles from the birthplace of Robert Fulton. For more, see this website.
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Nevada Landing Hotel & Casino
Jean, NV |
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Nevada Landing Hotel & Casino opened in 1989 and has 303 rooms. It resembles two riverboats with a connecting building between them. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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River Road Queen
Greenville, MS |
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The River Road Queen building was an exhibit at the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. It was built to look like a 19th century sternwheeler and is 110' long. When the Exposition was over, the ship was dismantled and moved to Greenville where is is used as the Welcome Center.
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former U.S.S. Tradewinds
Wisconsin Dells, WI |
Natuzzi Building
High Point, NC |
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The U.S.S. Tradewinds was a gift shop with a boat-shaped upper storefront. The building is now used as a tattoo parlor.
The Natuzzi Building was built (actually a major building renovation) in 1998 to resemble a cruise ship. The curved side features a porthole window. Natuzzi is an Italian furniture manufacturer.
For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.
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Bay Golf
Traverse City, MI |
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Bay Golf is a mini golf place that looks like it has been closed for many years. The faux ship is named "River Country Lady".
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Riverboat-Shaped Building
Clarksdale, MS |
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This Riverboat-Shaped Building was originally an ice cream shop called "The Cream Boat". I believe it was built in the 1970s. From 1988-1998, this building housed "Stackhouse Records" which doubled as a recording studio for the "Rooster Blues" label. In 2001, it became "Dela's Stackhouse Records". When these photos were taken in 2007, the building was vacant and in rough shape. In 2009, restoration work began but I don't believe there is a tenant lined up. I'd love to know more about this place if anyone has more info. For more, see this website.
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