"A Pacific Paradise on the Potomac"

At Freestone Point in July 1957, the S.S. Freestone, a gambling ship, was the main attraction of an exciting new recreational resort. Although it was illegal in Virginia at the time to gamble or sell liquor by the drink, activity on the S.S. Freestone was protected from Virginia law because the ship was moored in Maryland waters. Formerly an excursion steamer, it had been retrofitted as a floating casino with 200 slot machines on its deck, a finely furnished restaurant on the second deck, and a third-deck cocktail lounge in Hawaiian décor that featured live music and dancing. Special opening day ceremonies on July 20, 1957, included music by Johnny Long and his Orchestra, water ballet, water skiing exhibitions, races by sailing craft, fireworks, and a beauty contest to crown the Queen of Freestone Point.

Virginia · United States