Patricia Freight Boat

The Patricia was the fifth boat built by Ole Gustafson and Wilfred Wright. Riverboats ceased to operate after the summer of 1947 when Highway 105 became suitable for carrying heavy traffic. The old water route into Red Lake closed down, and all the boats were returned to Hudson. The Patricia was brought back from Hudson, and for the first two years of construction, all materials and building supplies were floated behind the tugboat from the dock at Little Canada and down the English River to Camping Lake. Years later, the abandoned boat was located and returned to the Ear Falls Museum by road. Scott Landis and Tony Cullen spent the summer of 1975 fully restoring the Patricia. The historic boat is now displayed as a landmark and symbol at the Ear Falls Waterfront Park.