The Midwest Still Has Ferry Crossings: Mississippi River

From the August 8, 2015, Chicago Tribune "Midwest still home to unique ferry crossings" by Mary Bergin.

About 130 bridges cross the Mississippi River which is one of the longest rivers in the world at 2,300+ miles.

Unknown to many, ferries still are a mode of transportation across the river, but becoming increasingly rare because of new bridges, funding cuts, weather and floating debris.  The Mississippi's oldest continually operating ferry began service in 1853 between Canton, Mo., and Meyer, Ill.  Service stopped in 2014 because it was deemed too expensive to repair.

Only 11 public ferries still cross the Mississippi.  One of them is the Pride of Cassville which takes 17 minutes to cross between Cassville, Wi., and Clayton County, Iowa.  ferry service began there in 1833 when a flat, wooden boat was oared across until ywo horses on a treadmilled started propelling it 25 years later... Everything crossed by horsepower until engines replaced the horses around 1912.

Operations ceased for 40 years until 982.  The village owns and operates the ferry from May through October.  It costs $2 one-way for a walkon rider and $12-$15 for car or van.

A Ferry We Will Go.  --RoadDog