Built in 1866, the steamer Shoshone was meant to provide easier river travel on part of the route from the Columbia to Boise and Silver City, plying 105 miles between this place and Old's Ferry. It once explored the river for 60 miles above here, astonishing the jackrabbits with its ambitious whistle. But business was poor and firewood for the boilers was scarce, so service ended after only a few trips. In a final hair-raising ride, the 136-foot, 300-ton boat was run down through Hell's Canyon to the Columbia.