About Town: St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboat Company

Get up close and personal with the Fox River by taking a ride on the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboat, 2 North Ave.

Since 1945, riverboat tours have departed regularly from Pottawatomie Park for scenic trips up the Fox River Valley every spring, summer, and fall.

The Fox River Queen and the St. Charles Belle riverboats are replicas of the steamboats that traveled America's waterways a century ago. They were especially designed for sightseeing and relaxation. The U.S. Coast Guard licenses each boat and captain, and annually the boats are inspected by the Coast Guard. The Fox River Queen is primarily used for private group charters.

Chet Anderson, who retired as captain in 1987, founded the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboat company in 1945. His son, Capt. Richard Anderson has taken over the helm.

The boats travel north four miles up the Fox River past several parks and forest preserves. St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboat officials said the route has changed very little since the native Americans lived along the river’s shores 200 years ago.

Boat trips are 50 to 60 minutes, and narrated with popular area information and history. Prices are $7.50 for adults and $6 for those 15 and younger. A tour schedule can be found by clicking here.

For more information, call 630-584-2334 or visit www.stcriverboats.com.

Editor's note: This is one of a series of occasional stories in the coming months profiling prominent places in town that are unique to St. Charles.