Dakota Queen Riverboat Records, 1982-2013
Collection Overview
Title: Dakota Queen Riverboat Records, 1982-2013
ID: OGLMC1628
Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 08/26/2013
Subjects: Grand Forks - Business, Sports and Recreation, Transportation
Languages: English
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Collection Historical Note
The Dakota Queen was a 65 foot, 40 ton riverboat stationed at Grand Forks, North Dakota, that operated cruises on the Red River from 1985 to 1996. It was built in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, by Skipper-line Industries and was captained by Paul Lester. On July 4, 1985, it opened to the public, with estimates of 35,000-50,000 passengers for that year. As an important part of tourism in Grand Forks, the Dakota Queen participated in events like River Boats Days and hosted parties, receptions, and weddings. Captain Lester, who graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in journalism, had dreamed of piloting a riverboat since riding one at Disney World years earlier. While the Dakota Queen appeared to be an old-fashioned sidewheel paddle riverboat, it was actually powered by three inboard-outboard diesel engines.
The idea of having a riverboat was greatly supported by the community of Grand Forks. Through ticket sales and other fundraising activities, $60,000 was raised to help with operation costs. In 1997, Captain Lester decided to retire the Dakota Queen due to vandalism and a decline in passenger rates. The boat now operates on the Great Lakes.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the Rules and Regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Acquisition Source: Paul Lester, Bonita Springs, Florida
Acquisition Method: Donation; 2013-3237
Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Dakota Queen Riverboat Records. OGLMC 1628, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Processing Information: Processed by Dawn Cleveland, Special Collections student assistant, in 2015.
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Box:
[Box 1],
[All]
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Blueprints
- Folder 2: Business Operation Documents, 1982-1994
- Folder 3: Correspondence, 1982-2013 and undated
- Folder 4: Frog Point Trip Information, 1985-1987
- Folder 5: Dakota Queen Logbooks, 1985 and 1990
- Folder 6: Dakota Queen Logbook, 1989
- Folder 7: Dakota Queen Logbook, 1995
- Folder 8: Miscellaneous
- Folder 9: Newspaper Articles
- Folder 10: Photographs
1628-1: Black & White photograph of the Dakota Queen sailing on the Red River
1628-2: Black & White photograph of passangers prepairing to board
1628-3: Colored photograph of the Dakota queen docked
1 postcard (three copies) of the Dakota Queen
3 Black & white photographs of old time riverboats
22 photographs of the Dakota Queen (including construction/maintenance)
5 interior photographs of the Dakota Queen
18 photographs of people and activities
- Folder 11: Promotional Materials
- Folder 12: Scripting Information
- Folder 13: Slides
- Folder 14: Thank you notes from children to Captain Lester
- Folder 1: Blueprints