Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi, left, and Paul O. Stage, U.S. Steam Lines Ltd. president pictured Tuesday at McCrea Point Park with the Chautauqua Belle. Standing in back, from left, are Bill Stevenson, Jamestown Riverfront Management Council chairman; Julia Ciesla-Hanley, city recreation coordinator; and John Williams, city parks manager. City and Chautauqua Belle officials signed the lease agreement for the Belle to use McCrea Point Park for the next five years. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

The Chautauqua Belle is docked at McCrea Point Park and will be ready to launch this weekend to take riders along the Chadakoin River to Celoron.

On Tuesday, city and Chautauqua Belle officials hosted a ceremonial lease signing at McCrea Point Park with the historic steamboat docked and ready to start taking people on trips to the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.

Paul O. Stage, U.S. Steam Lines Ltd. president, said it was always his son’s vision to pilot the steamboat around the south basin of Chautauqua Lake into the Chadakoin River like had been done by several steamboats around the turn of the 20th century in Jamestown.

“This was Mat’s vision to reconnect Celoron and Jamestown like it was done 100 years ago,” Paul Stage said of his son, Capt. Mathew Stage, U.S. Steam Lines Ltd. owner.

Paul Stage said being able to bring the Chautauqua Belle from its headquarters in Mayville to Jamestown has been something discussed for the last five years. He said Chautauqua Belle officials first had to make sure it could make it though the southern basin of Chautauqua Lake onto the Chadakoin River. He added Bill Stevenson, Jamestown Riverfront Management Council chairman, was instrumental in making it a reality.

Two years ago city officials hosted a community event at the newly remodeled McCrea Point Park. During the event, the Chautauqua Belle made its way to the city to provide rides to those who attended the activities. The Belle was originally scheduled to make only three trips around the Jamestown area, but because of popular demand five trips were made that day.

“We had a very successful day,” he said.

Paul Stage said people should visit 269belle.com to see the schedule or to reserve the steamboat for private events. He said the Chautauqua Belle will make regular trips at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday while the steamboat is at McCrea Point Park. He added that during the Chautauqua Institution season the boat will return to dock in Mayville, except for a few days during the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival when the steamboat will return to Jamestown. The Chautauqua Bell will return to McCrea Point Park in September.

“This is a dream come true for us,” said Sam Teresi, Jamestown mayor.

In April, it was announced that city officials and U.S. Steam Lines Ltd. were going to enter a five-year lease agreement for the use of McCrea Point Park. During dates in May and June and in September and October, the Chautauqua Belle will make round-trip passenger excursions on the Chadakoin River from the boat landing to the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. The lease is good between May 1 and Oct. 31 each year for the next five years, with an option for the company to lease the dock for an additional five years. U.S. Steam Lines will pay the city $250 the first year for the use of the dock. The rent will increase $25 per year to a final lease price of $350.

The city has agreed to install a 30-amp, 220-volt, 3-phase electrical service at the dock for the tenant’s use, and the tenant has agreed to pay all electricity charges for its operations. U.S. Steam Lines will also be allowed to install appropriate signage for the Chautauqua Belle operation and take any and all measures to run a safe operation.

The Belle is owned and operated by three generations of the Stage family. In 2007, US Steam Lines was formed by Captain Mathew Stage to purchase the Chautauqua Belle from the Sea Lion Project Ltd., which had put the steamboat up for scrap auction. Stage grew up on Chautauqua Lake with a passion for boats. He started working at a young age on Chautauqua Lake on public vessels such as the Celebration, Miss Rose, the Summer Wind and Frolic. At the age of 18 and with 10 years of experience in the tour boat industry, Stage formed U.S. Steam Lines and purchased the Chautauqua Belle.

Stage’s father, Paul, and grandfather, Del, have also been involved in operating the Chautauqua Belle. Taking on a multiyear restoration project, Mathew Stage attempted to keep every part of the Chautauqua Belle original, just as builder, James Webster, had done. He then developed a historical tour that was based on the late 1800s history of the Chautauqua Lake area. He has also catered dozens of parties, receptions and weddings each year on the Chautauqua Belle.

The Chautauqua Belle is only one of five operating steamboats left in North America. The Belle’s classic Steamboat lines, tall stacks and gingerbread lattice have been featured in photos all over the world.