The Delta Queen is a legend on America’s rivers, especially the famous river towns along the Mississippi, St. Louis, Memphis, Natchez, New Orleans. The Feds forced the historic Queen to cease cruise operations due to potential fire hazards in the wooden cabins. What an attraction the Delta Queen would be near Beale Street Landing on Memphis’ very historic riverfront, operating as a boutique hotel. It would be a great landmark to set Memphis apart from other cities.

Well, forget it folks. Today the Commercial Appeal reported that Chattanooga Water Taxi and Fat Cat Ferry has leased the Queen to serve as hotel on the riverfront across from the Tennessee Aquarium.

Did our business and political leaders pursue the Queen? Did anyone here know it was available? Or is it just easier to throw up a new synthetic stucco mini-hotel Downtown?