Shanty Boat Town
I remember a few Shanty Boats on the
Elk River. At one time, these houseboats stretched from
the mouth of Court Street all the way up to the trolley bridge on
the Elk . These were very tiny, usually one or two rooms at the most.
The bathroom was the river, usually an "outhouse"
built right in to the boat that dropped into the Elk. The funny
thing is that the city wanted to get rid of the houseboats as far
back as 1923 according to newspaper articles, and yet they were still
there when I was a kid. This photo shows the last of the Shanty Boats
just before early Urban Renewal.
TODAY
Same scene, as the first photo,
just up the riverbank. The people living on this boat were
"junkers", finding wood, metal, cardboard.... anything
to sell at the "recycling center". They brought their
finds to the riverbank and sorted them. Some even had little
food gardens.
TODAY
Same scene again, looking in the opposite
direction. Here you can see the old powerhouse for the
Charleston Urban Railroad which was possibly by this time, the
Boys Club. You also see the old Trolley bridge and railroad
bridge crossing the Elk.
TODAY
You can just barely see the bridge piers
and deck in this photo, as the trees have reclaimed the riverbank
long ago.
Notice the "outhouse" that discharges directly
into the river
Kids learned to swim at a very early age on these boats. They had to...
This little guy didnt need a babysitter 24-7 on a houseboat.
Walking the gangplank while drunk or even while carrying groceries could be very tricky.
Typical family on the Elk
Some lived on the riverbank.
Pay attention to this photo, because you're going to see it again.
And now for a guest commentator.....
My name is Jim Hapney.. I was raised in Charleston
and my earliest memories are of living on a houseboat on Elk
River. In your site you have some photos from the late 30s.
While looking through them I came across one that I believe
is my Grand Parents. Our house boats were located just past
the Virginia St Bridge,and I believe are shown in the 1939 aerial
shot you have on your website. My Grandparents, my Uncle, and
my father had boats at that location..
Later on My father and Uncle move to another
location between the Spring Street and railroad bridge. My father
went in the Army at the start of the war, and my mother and
I moved in with my Uncle. My Uncle's boat sank on New Years
eve and I don't remember the year. I remember he built a shanty
the sit and we lived there for awhile.. He was employed by the
Capitol Iron and Metal Co that was there at the time.. I attended
Elk Elementary school until the fourth grade. I remember going
to the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners the Rev. Earl Hissom
would have in a big tent up near Spring St.
I am sending you photos I have from back then.
If you can use any of them on your site feel free to do so.
I was really surprised to see the one that I believe is my Grandparents.
My Uncle was killed in WWII and my grandparents used the insurance
money to buy a farm in the Alum creek area. What become of their
boat I have no clue. My Uncle is listed on the WWII monument
there in Charleston. Signed....
Jimmy L Hapney CW4 USA Retired
|
| This is me, my Grandmother and my cousin
Kitty. Kitty now lives in the Alum Creek area. I believe it was Easter.
Granny was all dressed up. The Holiday inn is now where that building
was. |
| This was my Uncle's boat. This photo
was taken while it was still in the Clendenin St area. The folks in
the picture are on left is one of my aunts with her son. Not sure
which one.. My Aunt Grace, Me (Jim Hapney),Mom (Pansy Hapney),Grandmother
Gertie Van pelt. The boat in the background I believe was my Mom and
Dads. |
Neighbors Ben & Gertie Vanpelt in 1941
This is the photo of me on the paddle
wheel boat taken the same day as the one with my Grandmother.
This was me on my Uncle Elvin's boat
The railroad bridge is in the background.
My Grandmother on the paddle wheeler.
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