Located downtown on the riverfront; it set sail daily during the spring, summer and fall months; and has been providing fond memories for millions of passengers throughout the years. The Tom Sawyer has been part of St. Louis history for decades. But do you know the storied history?

Here’s a one-minute synopsis: Decades ago, the downtown St. Louis riverfront was home to hundreds of riverboats that lined the Mississippi riverfront. (Who remembers the tall stacks of the Robert E. Lee or the shimmering Admiral?)

Enter the Tom Sawyer brought to St. Louis in 1964 to accommodate the spectators who wanted a closer look at the building of the Gateway Arch. Since then, many boats have left the riverfront (most recently, the Admiral in 2011), but today, the Tom remains. This year he celebrate his 50th anniversary of cruising on the St. Louis riverfront!

(And another fun fact: The Gateway Arch Riverboats are a part of the oldest Mississippi excursion boat company that has called St. Louis its home port since 1917!)