Nooksack Ferry crossing, Whatcom County, Washington, circa 1875-1892

• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: Washington State Library
• Subjects: Ferries; Fords (Stream crossings); Rivers; Transportation & Travel; black-and-white photographs; Hudson Bay; Canada; Indian; Hudson; British Columbia; Hudson Bay Post; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.washingtonruralheritage.org:2012/u?/nooksack,154

A shallow spot in the river, about one mile west of present Everson had long been a favorite crossing for the native Indian people. From the crossing, trails led off in several directions. One went north to Fort Langley, where furs were traded at the Hudson Bay post, for other goods. In 1856-57 the survey crew, which established the boundary between the United States and Canada used this trail and crossing to reach their project. When gold was discovered in the Cariboo,the rush was on and many came this way to the gold fields. In 1867 a telegraph line was begun to connect London, New York and other cities by an all land route. The line was to come up the coast from San Francisco, thru British Columbia, Alaska and the mainland of Asia. Locally the line ran from New Whatcom, to the Crossing, and on to Canada. Laying of the Atlantic cable ruined these grand plans, and the project was abandoned. Portions of this road are still in use, known as the Telegraph Road. To move supplies for the undertaking, the trail was improved to pack horse quality, and traffic was up sufficiently for an enterprising citizen to start a ferry in 1875. The Ferry utilized the current of the river as locomotive power, and by changing the angle at which the force of the current struck the Ferry, they were able to cross in either direction. The Ferry operated here until 1892. CONTEXTUAL NOTE: This image is part of the presentation, Our Little Corner of the Valley, made in 1976 as a Bi-Centennial project of the Everson Senior Citizens. Edited, arranged, and narration written by Vernal Walker. SEE: WMVideo0001 for video recording of entire presentation.