SS Columbia,

105 Childs Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

SS Columbia is a historic excursion steamship located at 105 Childs Street in Buffalo, New York. Built in 1902, it is the last remaining steamship from the turn of the 20th century, designed by Frank E. Kirby and Louis O. Keil. The vessel was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992. Currently docked at Silo City in Buffalo, SS Columbia is undergoing restoration work to bring it back to its former glory.

During its heyday, SS Columbia sailed down the Detroit River from downtown Detroit to Bois Blanc Island, offering passengers a scenic journey to the Boblo Island Amusement Park. The ship featured a ballroom, music, dancing, and snack bars, becoming an iconic symbol on the Detroit River. In 1945, SS Columbia was the setting for a historic Civil Rights battle when a young African American woman was denied entry due to her race, leading to a legal battle that reached the US Supreme Court.

In 1991, SS Columbia and its sister ship, SS Ste. Claire, were sold as a pair and later docked near the Great Lakes Steel Company in Michigan. Both vessels faced deterioration until they were auctioned in 1996. In 2006, SS Columbia was awarded to a non-profit group for restoration to serve as an educational and cultural resource on the Hudson River.

The restoration project for SS Columbia is based on the European model of maritime preservation, with plans for daily excursions along the Hudson River. The vessel was featured in the 2014 film Transformers: Age of Extinction and the music video for the 2017 single "Score The Sky" by Lost Horizons. Currently, SS Columbia is in Buffalo, New York, undergoing preparations for its eventual move to the Hudson River, where it will continue to preserve its rich history and heritage for future generations to enjoy.