The history on this boat is interesting. It originally was in Tom Sawyer's Landing in the 1980 season as something the kids could climb all over and run around and through. In 1981 the boat was moved across the street (to the area that later served as the BIG climbing tower and ball room) and was the "fruit boat" for about a year. We were surveyed by our bosses each year, and I know several of us, (Yes, including me) suggested that a concession be opened that served fresh fruit like apples, banannas, watermelon, and served milk for babies. The year the boat was a concession was memorable in the fact that watermelon rines and bananna peels were left by guests laying all over the area from the lumbercamp and saloon down to the diving bell. The watermelon, especially, were messy, sticky, and rines were left laying all over, attracting flies and making big messes. I think the fruit boat may have lasted through the '82 season. I know by summer of 1984 the big Tom Sawyer's landing climbing tower and ballroom was added. The fruit boat was retired for a year or two, but it seems it was remodeled again and put in the Shantytown area for the kids to climb on again when that kids area was added by Lake Silver. Somebody will have to dig through their family scrapbooks to look for pictures of it in Tom Sawyer's Landing or in Shantytown. After a few years in Shantytown, I think the old boat was worn out and disappeared. It may have lasted into the late 80s or early 90s. Thanks for the photo Rube, I forgot about this piece of SDC history!
