Showboat (James Adams’ Floating Theater), Bayard House - Circa 1920

Here’s an early photo of South Chesapeake City when the Showboat docked near the Harriott Hotel (Bayard House). You may have read the Edna Ferber’s novel entitled Showboat. Eloise Davis and John Sager, life-long town residents, told me that they attended some of the performances. Several other people talked about lurking on the dock and peering through the windows at the shows. Notice the ice house and the small building on the corner next to it. The latter became a grocery store managed by Lewis Collins, Sr. He later opened his long-standing store on the North Side. Notice, also, Franklin Hall just left of the Bayard House.