The Ripley Boat Club

The Ripley Boat Club, located on what is said to be the site of Harriet Beacher Stowe crossing into freedom, was established in 1955 on somewhat different grounds then it is on now. In 1955 the average low of the Ohio river was 13.6 feet and high was 26.4 compared to today where they average low for 2012 was 27 feet and the average high was 34.5. This is due to the series of locks and dams on the river that collectively raised the average pool depth 12 feet from 1962 to 1963, more specifically in January 1963 the Markland dam was activated which raised the river level. What all this means is if they could have fun then, we can have a lot more fun with the extra amount of river we have today.
Established in 1955 and still here today that is a feat in this economy. We have always had the secret to a good business: good food, good prices, good people, and great location always seems to be the center of what makes The Ripley Boat Club stick around while not many other have and we only operate May through October. The Ripley Boat Club does have LIVE entertainment which will be a little different then in the past, we are still hammering out the details so as soon as we know, you’ll know.
The Ripley Boat Club was founded by a group of guys from Ripley and the surrounding area who wanted some place of their own to hang out when they didn’t want to be bothered by the other people in town or the county. A membership was drawn up and that’s who did and still does run The Ripley Boat Club. The drunks you see on a more consistent basis.
The Ripley Boat Club Commodore is Paul Gifford who is the man to see about anything on the property of the The Ripley Boat Club. The Vice Commodore Is Jack Pride he runs the show in the restaurant. There are about 15 more members that help out with anything and everything The Ripley Boat Club needs, and in a pinch might be able to help with some of the particulars of campground or restaurant.
I cant really explain the rest of what goes on because its always changing we don’t have the grounds for play grounds and swimming pools. What we do have is a lot of people that love to have fun and when you put a lot of, at least semi intelligent, people together they can come up with some creative ways to enjoy passing time. So come on down and visit us.