Jean Cameron Kelley, an early resident of Peace River Crossing, had fond memories of the steamboats on the Peace River:

"The trading companies had boats plying on the Peace between Hudson's Hope and Fort Vermilion. The steamers were all stern-wheelers for while the river is wide the channel is too narrow for a side-wheeler. In 1914, the Hudson's Bay steamer was the old "Peace River," which was replaced the following year by the "Athabasca River". We sometimes had dances in the dining rooms of these boats, and another pleasurable occasion was when they ran a twelve mile excursion. Whenever the familiar deep throaty hoot was heard down the river, everyone dropped everything and tore for the Hudson's Landing to see who had come in from Hudson Hope or Fort Vermilion. The stern-wheelers only travelled during daylight so at night they were tied up."

Jean Cameron Kelley. 'Peace River Crossing, 1914.' "I Remember" Peace River, Alberta. Edited by Katharine Hoskin. Published by the Women's Insitute of Peace River, Alberta, 1975-6.