|
During the days of the road toll (see Ferryman's Cabin
tour page), the truck drivers built a warehouse on Rika's property
to store goods while waiting to bootleg freight across the river
at night. When the toll ended, the building became Rika's property.
She moved it onto a foundation, divided it into rooms, painted
the outside pink, and moved in.
In the winter of 1965, 89-year-old Rika was confined to a wheelchair
because of a hip injury. During the night, her house caught fire.
She had to get out of bed, climb into her wheelchair, and roll
out into the freezing night. It was -40°F. Her neighbors saw
the flames and rescued her from freezing to death.
All that remains today of the pink house are the concrete steps.
|
