The End of the Steamboat Era

I love discovering old photographs that shed light on the history and people of the area I'm modeling! The image below features a steamboat navigating the waters of Box Canyon near Ione.  The narrow portion of the canyon in the background is where the future Box Canyon Bridge will be built when the railroad eventually comes to the area.

Below is the same boat heading south through the canyon returning from a trip to Metaline Falls. This photo really shows how treacherous the rapids could be! Later a dam will be built at the location of the photograph. That, along with the railroad rendered the steamboat a thing of the past.

An article about the end of the steamboat era read:  "old timers along the river welcomed the coming of the railroad, but many of them remember with pleasure the romantic days of the river boats. Many a big poker game and carousal were staged on [the last steamboat] in the days of her glory, and many well-known characters held the wheel and rode in her cabins."

Here is a link to more info on the subject.