SCOPE: The collection is divided into five series including the Streckfus Company Records, Vessel Records A-G, Vessel Records H-W, Photographs, General River, and Objects.
DATE: 1939-2006
HISTORY: Captain J. Curran Streckfus, Jr. was born into the historic Streckfus family which ran steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers beginning in the late 1800s until the 1980s. The founder of Streckfus Steamers, Incorporated was (Commodore) Captain John Streckfus. His second oldest son was (Captain) Roy and Roy’s son was (Captain) John Curran Streckfus, who in turn had a son named (Captain) John Curran, Jr., known as “Curran.”
Captain Curran was born in St. Louis, Missouri where his father was master of the steamer Admiral, an excursion boat on the Mississippi River. When Curran was about six years old, the family moved to New Orleans where Curran grew, went to school and trained on the steamer President, the company’s excursion boat in that city. Beginning in approximately 1965, Curran spent summers in St. Louis to get more experience with the SS Admiral. While there he earned master’s papers and became alternate captain of the boat, and started residing fulltime in St. Louis. After the Streckfus Company dissolved, Curran started his own company named Streckfus Excursions, Incorporated, and ran an excursion boat in Baton Rouge. Before retiring, Captain Curran also worked for the Baton Rouge Casino and with the state of Louisiana.
Captain Curran and his wife Suzy live in New Orleans, Louisiana.
EXTENT: 8.5 Linear feet, 5 hollinger boxes plus 1 oversize box
ACCESS: Due to rarity and condition, access to this collection is limited. When accessible, this collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is "From the collections of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library at the University of Missouri - St. Louis.”
A finding aid for this collection is available: P-41 Finding Aid.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Subject Headings:
Saint Louis (Mo.) – History -- Sources
