Submitted photo

Pictured are City Clerk/Treasurer Amber Tatterson and Mayor Brian Billings with the plaque that was presented to Point Pleasant by American Queen Captain Joe Jamison.

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POINT PLEASANT — Being one of only two stops in West Virginia, the City of Point Pleasant recently hosted the American Queen, and though she is not a criminal, she did leave behind a calling card.

Point Pleasant Mayor Brian Billings and City Clerk/Treasurer Amber Tatterson received a plaque from American Queen Captain Joe Jamison during a ceremony on Sunday, July 15, at the loading entrance of the ship, to commemorate the docking at Riverfront Park and the stop in Point Pleasant.

It was reported the engraving on the plaque reads as follows:

“The plaque for this mooring line was cut from a paddlewheel plank called a “bucket board” that many times propelled the Steamer American Queen the thousands of miles along the Mississippi River between St. Paul and New Orleans, and on the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to the confluence at Cairo, Illinois.” Billings stated the plaque will on display at the city building.

Following the ceremony, Billings expressed his gratitude to Jamison for having Point Pleasant as one of the stops on their voyage up the Ohio River. Billings continued, saying the local historical attractions will continue to be items of interest for traveling passengers.

Billings also spoke to the Point Pleasant Register on the matter, stating the plaque is a sign of a good relationship between the city and the American Queen Steamboat Company. He continued, saying the stops by the American Queen are not only great for getting the word out about the local historical attractions, but it’s also a boosting for the local economy.

“This is a great thing for our city,” Billings said. “I think we’re doing a great job of promoting the history of our town.”

In addition to the initial docking of the American Queen on Sunday, she will return on Friday, July 20, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. But not only is she docking once again, there will be a special performance of the American Queen Dixieland Band at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. Billings encourages locals to bring a lunch to the Riverfront Park and enjoy this performance.

The American Queen will also be making two more stops at the Riverfront Park this month. She will be here in Point Pleasant again from 1-5 p.m. on July 24, and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on July 30. While local residents are not permitted on board, they are more than welcome to come down for a visit.