Remember this? Photos of the world’s first floating McDonald’s resurface
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If you grew up in the Midwest—or just love a good slice of American nostalgia—get ready for a trip down memory lane that’s as golden as a fresh batch of fries.
Rare photos of the world’s very first floating McDonald’s have resurfaced, and they’re stirring up a flood of memories for St. Louis locals and fast-food fans alike.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s set sail on the story of the legendary “McBoat.”
A River Runs Through It: The Birth of the Floating McDonald’s
It was March 11, 1980, and the mighty Mississippi was about to get a taste of something new.
Just south of the iconic Gateway Arch, a 702-ton cement barge—transformed into a 19th-century-style riverboat—opened its doors as the world’s first floating McDonald’s.
With seating for 134 inside and room for 200 more on the open-air decks, this wasn’t just a place to grab a burger; it was a destination.
The idea was as bold as it was unusual. McDonald’s had originally hoped to open a location inside the museum beneath the Gateway Arch, but the government nixed the plan, wary of mixing fries with federal history.
Enter Samuel Haynes, a real estate manager with a knack for thinking outside the (Happy Meal) box. If they couldn’t go under the Arch, why not go on the river?
Skeptics, Surprises, and a City Won Over
Not everyone was lovin’ it at first. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen worried that a floating fast-food joint would compete with the grandeur of the Gateway Arch or cheapen the riverfront.
Locals, too, were skeptical. But McDonald’s executives pressed on, signing a 25-year lease in 1979 and betting big on the power of novelty—and the draw of 3 million annual Arch visitors.
As Pat Flynn, a McDonald’s senior VP, put it at the time: “We have nothing like this in the whole world.”
And he was right. The McBoat quickly became a quirky staple, generating $100,000 in annual tax revenue and winning over even the most doubtful St. Louisans.
A Place for Memories: Stories from the Deck
For two decades, the floating McDonald’s was more than a restaurant—it was a memory-maker.
Families would ride riverboats, tie up alongside the McBoat, and climb aboard for lunch. Kids fed their fries to the fish, and generations of St. Louisans made it a tradition to visit after a trip up the Arch.
Social media is awash with fond recollections:
The floating McDonald’s became so beloved that, in a playful nod to its legacy, the Gateway Arch put out an April Fool’s press release this year joking about its grand reopening.
The End of an Era: Why the McBoat Sailed Away
All good things must come to an end, and the McBoat was no exception. The Great Flood of 1993 took its toll, and the costs of maintaining a floating restaurant eventually became too much.
On November 6, 2000, the world’s first floating McDonald’s closed its doors for good, leaving behind only photographs and memories.
Today, all that remains are those rare snapshots—some in black and white, others in the unmistakable red and yellow of the Golden Arches. The riverboat itself is gone, but the stories live on.
Floating Fast Food: A Short-Lived Trend
St. Louis wasn’t the only city to try its hand at a floating McDonald’s. In 1986, the “McBarge” (officially the Friendship 500) was built for the World Expo in Vancouver, Canada.
Image source: McBarge 2021 Update. Bright Sun Films / Youtube.
But like its St. Louis cousin, the McBarge’s glory days were short-lived. After years of sitting vacant, it recently began to sink into the Fraser River, marking the end of the floating fast-food era.
Read next: Is your neighborhood next? McDonald’s announces growth spree that you might see soon!
Did you ever visit the floating McDonald’s in St. Louis? Do you have a favorite story or photo from those days? Or maybe you remember another quirky fast-food spot from your own hometown? We’d love to hear your stories—share them in the comments below!
And if you’re feeling nostalgic, dig out those old family albums. Who knows? You might just find a snapshot of yourself, grinning on the deck of the world’s first floating McDonald’s, fries in hand and the Mississippi rolling by.
Rare photos of the world’s very first floating McDonald’s have resurfaced, and they’re stirring up a flood of memories for St. Louis locals and fast-food fans alike.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s set sail on the story of the legendary “McBoat.”
A River Runs Through It: The Birth of the Floating McDonald’s
It was March 11, 1980, and the mighty Mississippi was about to get a taste of something new.
Just south of the iconic Gateway Arch, a 702-ton cement barge—transformed into a 19th-century-style riverboat—opened its doors as the world’s first floating McDonald’s.
With seating for 134 inside and room for 200 more on the open-air decks, this wasn’t just a place to grab a burger; it was a destination.
The idea was as bold as it was unusual. McDonald’s had originally hoped to open a location inside the museum beneath the Gateway Arch, but the government nixed the plan, wary of mixing fries with federal history.
The world’s first floating McDonald’s, dubbed the “McBoat”, opened in 1980 in St. Louis on a converted cement barge, and became a much-loved local and tourist attraction before closing in 2000 due to high running costs and flood damage. Image source: @Lentra888 / Reddit.
Enter Samuel Haynes, a real estate manager with a knack for thinking outside the (Happy Meal) box. If they couldn’t go under the Arch, why not go on the river?
Skeptics, Surprises, and a City Won Over
Not everyone was lovin’ it at first. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen worried that a floating fast-food joint would compete with the grandeur of the Gateway Arch or cheapen the riverfront.
Locals, too, were skeptical. But McDonald’s executives pressed on, signing a 25-year lease in 1979 and betting big on the power of novelty—and the draw of 3 million annual Arch visitors.
As Pat Flynn, a McDonald’s senior VP, put it at the time: “We have nothing like this in the whole world.”
And he was right. The McBoat quickly became a quirky staple, generating $100,000 in annual tax revenue and winning over even the most doubtful St. Louisans.
A Place for Memories: Stories from the Deck
For two decades, the floating McDonald’s was more than a restaurant—it was a memory-maker.
Families would ride riverboats, tie up alongside the McBoat, and climb aboard for lunch. Kids fed their fries to the fish, and generations of St. Louisans made it a tradition to visit after a trip up the Arch.
Initial skepticism from locals and city officials gave way to fond memories, with many recalling childhood outings and unique experiences dining on the river. Image source: MHS Photographs and Prints Collection.
Social media is awash with fond recollections:
- “This was my favorite place growing up. So many good memories feeding the fish all my french fries.”
- “That was so much fun as a kid!”
- “This was me and my grandpa’s spot. We used to go up in the Arch and then go to McDonald’s on the boat after. Thanks for the good memory today. Needed it.”
- Took my kids up river in our old boat, tied off, climbed over the rails for lunch once. They still talk about it!”
The floating McDonald’s became so beloved that, in a playful nod to its legacy, the Gateway Arch put out an April Fool’s press release this year joking about its grand reopening.
The End of an Era: Why the McBoat Sailed Away
All good things must come to an end, and the McBoat was no exception. The Great Flood of 1993 took its toll, and the costs of maintaining a floating restaurant eventually became too much.
On November 6, 2000, the world’s first floating McDonald’s closed its doors for good, leaving behind only photographs and memories.
Today, all that remains are those rare snapshots—some in black and white, others in the unmistakable red and yellow of the Golden Arches. The riverboat itself is gone, but the stories live on.
Historic photos of the St. Louis floating McDonald’s have resurfaced, sparking nostalgia and online reminiscing about the iconic riverboat eatery. Image source: MHS Photographs and Prints Collection.
Floating Fast Food: A Short-Lived Trend
St. Louis wasn’t the only city to try its hand at a floating McDonald’s. In 1986, the “McBarge” (officially the Friendship 500) was built for the World Expo in Vancouver, Canada.
Image source: McBarge 2021 Update. Bright Sun Films / Youtube.
But like its St. Louis cousin, the McBarge’s glory days were short-lived. After years of sitting vacant, it recently began to sink into the Fraser River, marking the end of the floating fast-food era.
Read next: Is your neighborhood next? McDonald’s announces growth spree that you might see soon!
Did you ever visit the floating McDonald’s in St. Louis? Do you have a favorite story or photo from those days? Or maybe you remember another quirky fast-food spot from your own hometown? We’d love to hear your stories—share them in the comments below!
And if you’re feeling nostalgic, dig out those old family albums. Who knows? You might just find a snapshot of yourself, grinning on the deck of the world’s first floating McDonald’s, fries in hand and the Mississippi rolling by.
