Global InformationStreckfus Steamers information
| Company type | River excursions |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Predecessor | Acme Packet Company |
| Founded | 1910 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Founder | John Streckfus Sr. |
| Fate | Operated through 1978 |
| Successor | Streckfus Steamers, Incorporated |
| Headquarters | St. Louis |
Area served | Mississippi and Ohio Rivers |
Key people | Joseph Streckfus, Roy Streckfus, Vern Streckfus, John Streckfus Jr., William Carroll, Fate Marable |
| Owners | John Streckfus Sr., Joseph Streckfus |
Streckfus Steamers was a company started in 1910 by John Streckfus Sr. (1856–1925) born in Edgington, Illinois. He started a steam packet business in the 1880s, but transitioned his fleet to the river excursion business around the turn of the century. In 1907, he incorporated Streckfus Steamers to raise capital and expand his riverboat excursion business. A few years later, the firm acquired the Diamond Jo Line, a steamboat packet company.
The most active period started after the first World War. Bandleader Fate Marable recruited many musicians from New Orleans during this period, including Louis Armstrong. Streckfus Steamers expanded the number of excursion boats, acquired or converted larger boats, and hired more bands. After the death of the patriarch in 1925, the eldest son Joseph took over the company, and was assisted by his three brothers.