Rowers from the boathouses compete at every level, including local clubs, high schools, colleges, summer racing programs, and international-level athletics.

[3] He proposed the lights after hearing talk of destroying the decaying Victorian boathouses.

In 2005, after two refurbishings, the houses were outfitted with computerized LEDs that can light up in various colors, depending on the event or season.

The history of Boathouse Row begins with the construction of the Fairmount Dam and the adjacent water works.

[6] The dam initially submerged the rapids, and later developments transformed the stretch of the Schuylkill between the dam and East Falls from a tidal river into a slack water river resembling a very long freshwater lake.

[7] The placid man-made surface was ideal for ice skating in winter and rowing in summer.

[7] A secondary effect of taming the Schuylkill was that the calm water provided a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which drove wealthy residents from their riverside mansions.

[7] The leaseholder of Lemon Hill operated a beer garden and allowed rowing and barge clubs to build frame structure boathouses on the Estate's property along the Schuylkill.

[7] At the same time, some of the established clubs wanted to regulate the sport of rowing to prevent unscrupulous practices and fixed races.