UP ONE LEVEL

In 1863, Carroll County let a contract to build a saw and grist mill at Coon Rapids and voted $6000 bonds for the purpose of building a log and earthen dam. In 1864, a man named Lamm built the saw mill and in 1865 Crockett Ribble came and built the first grist mill.

Above the dam the water backed up so that the river was about 75 feet wide and became navigable to the Galloway bridge, about two miles north of town. Two enterprising citizens, Oliver Taylor and Eb Sutton saw possibilities in this and built a steam boat christened “The Belle of Coon Rapids.”

The craft was about 50 feet long and 15 feet wide, with a pilot house on top and canopy above. Around the inside ran a bench with seating for 50 passengers. She once carried a record 68 passengers.

She was manned by a crew of two - Captain Sutten and Sam Titus, ticket taker. On Sundays, holidays and special occasions one might, for 10 cents, ride up the river and back at a speed of 10 mph. It was often chartered for Sunday School Picnics. After the boat had been in use for a short time the dam washed out, the Belle was abandoned and the lumber used to build a shed.