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Santa Maria Building (The Galleon)
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 Chritopher Columbus' Santa Maria. It was originally built on wetlands and accessed by a wooden plank walkway. When the real estate market bottomed out, the Galleon was moved 3 miles away to where it is today. It was used as an Atlantic gas station (not sure at which location). It has been used for various shops, restaurants and offices over the years. Today, it houses a run-down antique shop. There were originally three of these ships built but only this one remains. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.
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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
Galveston, TX |
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The Mayflower Inn was a ship-shaped hotel built in 1941. It was originally known as the "SS Galveston Hotel Court". The building may soon be demolished for condos. For more, see this website.
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Yankee Clipper
Fort Lauderdale, FL |
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The Yankee Clipper, designed by Tony Shermann, was built in 1955 in the shape of 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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Dela's Stackhouse Records [closed]
Clarksdale, MS |
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Dela's Stackhouse Records is a riverboat-shaped building. I believe the building was originally an ice cream shop called "The Ice Cream Boat". I'd love to know when it was built and more about it.
From 1988-1998, this building housed "Stackhouse/Delta Record Mart/Rooster Blues" which was a record store and recording studio. In 2001, it became "Dela's Stackhouse Records". In 2007, the building was vacant and a "Sold" sign was affixed to it. I'd love to know what the plans are (i.e., restoration or demolition). For more, see this website.
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