The Southwest Ferry Project was established to locate, describe and interpret the historic river ferry crossings that operated either on a commercial basis or that were set up by the military in the Four Corners states and to present that information to academia and to an interested public in a form that will contribute to the collected knowledge of the history of the great Southwest. 

Ferries were critical bottlenecks of commerce and travel across the major rivers of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah from the frontier period through the 1960s. Although the Southwest is an arid region, over 50 commercial ferry crossings are known to have existed on rivers such as the Colorado, Rio Grande, Arkansas, and others. Changing economic priorities and the construction of modern highway and railroad bridges eventually eliminated the need for them. Only one ferry remains in use today, operated by the Utah Department of Transportation, at historic Hall’s Crossing on Lake Powell in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

It is our hope this project will stir interest in the people of the Southwest to research and document ferries and ferry operations in their locales. Work with the Southwest Ferry Project or your local historical associations to document and catalog previously unknown ferry crossings. Ultimately, perhaps, you can persuade your state government to erect historic markers at these sites.

Join our Facebook group and be a bit more interactive with us and the growing group of people that do believe in ferries. Check us out on Facebook here.

In the meantime, enjoy our site, stay in touch and always remember to believe in ferries.

Meet our researchers

Originally from Louisiana, they developed a love for ferries early in life. Seeking out ferry locations in Louisiana and southern Arkansas, they would travel miles out of their way, much to the dismay of their fellow passengers, just for the opportunity to ride across some sluggish bayou or rapidly flowing river on an outdated mode of transportation called a "ferry boat." Living in the southwest since the '70's, Bryan and Gary spend as much time as possible running rivers when they aren't trying to make a living. Early in 2009, Dr. Brown proposed to Cash that they "research ferries in the southwest. Maybe come up with a book or something." And so the adventure began.

Gary Cascio

Graphic Designer & Photographer at Late Nite Grafix, Inc.

GARY CASCIO is a graphic designer and photographer living and working in Santa Fe. While he has never written a book, he has read quite a few. And, in his 30+ years as a designer, he's designed one or two. Born in Louisiana from a union of southern Mississippians and Sicilians from Cefalu, Sicily, he headed west to New Mexico after deciding he and his darling child bride could save a lot of money on gas if they moved there instead of visiting constantly. When not running his design firm, Late Nite Grafix, Inc., he can usually be found running rivers with his old pal, Dr. Gonzo.

Bryan Brown

Southwestern Biologist

BRYAN BROWN is a retired biologist living in Salt Lake City who appreciates history and rivers. He has worked for the National Park Service, various universities, and as an environmental consultant. Books written by him include "The Colorado River Through Grand Canyon: Natural History and Human Change" (1992) with Steven Carothers and "Grand Canyon Birds: Historical Notes, Natural History, and Ecology" (1987) with Carothers and Roy Johnson, both published by the University of Arizona Press. He has a Ph.D. in wildlife ecology from the University of Arizona. He was born in Louisiana.

Southwest Ferry Blog

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