Recently, Michael A. Cone, author of Connecting the Kootenays, visited your Museum. His book “chronicles the history of the Kootenay Lake ferry service from its modest beginnings in 1921 through to its 100th anniversary in 2020.” The book contains many photographs and historical information on the navigation of the lake.
Michael Cone came to the Museum to expand his research of steamers on the Kootenai River. The staff was able to give him information, along with photos of the different sternwheelers and Galena Landing (site of Search and Rescue dock).
He really enjoyed this photo of the Alberta (formerly State of Idaho) taken in 1903. It shows the sternwheeler passing through the Kootenai Valley Railway Bridge across the Kootenai River just east of Galena Landing. The center trestle of the bridge swiveled allowing traffic to pass.
Cone donated a copy of his book to the Museum collection. It is available to look at in the reading area of your Museum.