Crusader Fishing Vessel
The Crusader II, built by Rubin Hill in his Larsmont, MN shop, was donated to the Lake County Historical Society by the Two Harbors Area Economic Development Corp. in 1990.
The Hill family had a long history of master boat building on the North Shore. Reuben who worked as a carpenter for the Duluth &Iron Range Railroad learned boat building from his father Charles. With his family, Reuben Hill continued to build quality craft by hand late into the 20th century.
The 35-foot fishing boat, was built in 1939 and christened in Knife River by the reigning Crown Prince of Norway. It was restored in 1991 by boat builder Larry Ronning and repainted in 1999 by Ray Widen. Restoration was possible through a grant from the Lake Bank. The Crusader II rests on lighthouse point with the bow towards the home port of Knife River.
