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The Ferry at Bonners Ferry Sesquicentennial
Birthday
1864 -2014 |
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December 11, 2014 |
by Howard Kent
Historian, Boundary County Museum
Did you know that on December 22, 2014, the
Ferry at Bonners Ferry will be 150 years old?
Following is a brief history how the event came
about.
In 1863, gold was discovered in Wild Horse Creek
in British Columbia. The following year a
northward rush was in full swing. One of the
routes taken by the gold seekers was a trail
that had been established earlier by the
Boundary Commission when they were surveying out
the 49th Parallel. Soon, this route became known
as the Wild Horse Trail, passing through today’s
Boundary County.
When the prospectors got to the Kootenai River
they were temporarily stopped until they could
secure passage across the river. Most were being
taken across by members of the Kootenai Tribe in
their sturgeon-nosed canoes. The canoes were
limited in how much weight they could carry, so
depending on the amount of supplies carried by
the prospector, many back and forth crossings
may have been taken. Also, the horses had to be
guided across.
It was this scene that greeted a merchant from
Walla Walla along with his associates. Edward L.
Bonner, John W. Walton, and Richard A. Eddy were
heading for the Wild Horse strike to check out
the business opportunities. As they observed the
situation at the river crossing, they saw an
opportunity that was good as gold. They
concluded that a substantial ferry could carry
men, horses, and supplies more readily than
canoes. Also, why not have a trading post to
serve travelers as well as the Native Americans?
Their plan was good, but first they had to
obtain permission for using the land on both
sides of the river. Negotiations with Chief
Abraham of the Kootenai Tribe proved successful.
Next, a license to operate a ferry and a trading
post had to be obtained from the Idaho
Territorial Legislature when it met in Lewiston
during its second session. In the meantime
necessary supplies and equipment would be needed
for the initial startup.
 Finally,
on December 22, 1864, the license was granted,
and Bonners Ferry was born. A ferry was
constructed from whip-sawed lumber and a log
trading post was built. John Walton became the
ferry and trading post operator. Edward L.
Bonner went on to Missoula where he earned his
fortune through a variety of investments. The
ferry continued to operate for 51 years until a
wagon bridge was built.
In light of this occasion, there will be a 150th
Birthday Party on Saturday, December 20th at
1:00 p.m. at the Boundary County Museum. The
program will include a proclamation by the
Kootenai Tribe, County Officials, and City
Officials declaring December 22, 2014 as the
Sesquicentennial of the Ferry at Bonners Ferry.
Come enjoy a piece of birthday cake in honor of
this day. |
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