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An Outing on the River

Sepia photograph of people standing on a dock looking at motorboats on the river. In the background, a train bridge spans the river.

Dock on Des Prairies River with a view of the Canadian Pacific Bridge, Property of Jeanne Drolet.

Boat-building technology developed extensively in the 20th century. Pleasure boaters no longer had to row to enjoy the water—they just had to start their outboard motors! With this invention, motorboating was born. One island resident in particular was an important player in this new recreational activity. Elzéar Drolet was a naval architect and boat builder whose shipyards and engine repair shop were located in Laval-des-Rapides. He can be seen in the photograph aboard La Mouette, his boat, on the Des Prairies River in 1928.