Mississippi River Old Ferry Landing

Marker Name

Mississippi River Old Ferry Landing Port Allen, Baton Rouge Site 1820 through 1968

Marker Dedicated

November 14, 2004, during the annual Ethel Claiborne Dameron Lecture Series.

Marker Sponsor

The City of Port Allen 2003

Marker Location

The marker is on top of the levee at the Old Ferry Landing; Court Street at the Mississippi River; Port Allen, LA 70767

Pictures

View images of the unveiling of the Mississippi River Old Ferry Landing Historical Marker.

Marker Text

Horses and wagons first used the ferry, then gradually giving way to cars and trucks. Pedestrian traffic was always an important part of the ferry service. At one time all east-west traffic traveling on U.S. 190 crossed the Mississippi River at this site.

Background

Former Port Allen Mayor, Lynn Robertson, worked for many years with a multitude of folks to bring the Port Allen levee top improvements to reality. The Mayor was approached in 2003 to provide a historic marker to share the history of this important site with residents and visitors.

Dedication

During the annual Ethel Claiborne Dameron Lecture Series, Harold C. “Coley” Hill, Jr. shared his fascinating stories about life on the ferries; Port Allen native Susan Hymel recounted her research on George West, alas the River Preacher, who would dress in white and greet the ferry riders; and Sharon Boudreaux-Stam, Director of West Baton Rouge’s Tourist Information Center, talked about the Old Ferry Landing as a tourist attraction. A very special guest for the event was Keisha West, the great niece of George West, who had recently completed a painting of her great uncle.

Unveil the Marker

Port Allen City Councilman Ralph Bergeron was on hand along with West Baton Rouge (WBR) Historical Association President Ellis Gauthier to unveil the marker perched high atop the levee. “Coley” Hill worked with Mary Helen and Jim Charleville to develop the marker wording. Both Coley and Jim’s fathers had served many years with the ferries and have lots of wonderful stories and memories atop the landing. Now the old Ferry Landing, where thousands of cars and people traveled daily, can be remembered for years to come. What a beautiful view of the river and Baton Rouge from the Westside levee top.

Literature

Familiarize yourself with the Mississippi River Old Ferry Landing by reading the following texts:

  • The Baton Rouge/Port Allen Ferries by Harold C. Hill, Jr. April 2004
  • The Advocate, April 15, 2004
  • Along the River Road by Mary Ann Sternberg, page 202
  • Chronicles of West Baton Rouge by Elizabeth Kellough and Leona Mayeux, 1979, pages 167-168
  • Country Roads Magazine, River Preacher article by Susan Hymel, October 2004
  • Program dedication November 14, 2004
  • Reference files at the West Baton Rouge Museum and Library
  • Riverside Reader Currents, Volume 10, No. 41, June 14, 2004
  • State Historic marker files at the West Baton Rouge Museum
  • State Times, June 24, 1968
  • Sunday Advocate, June 6, 2004
  • West Baton Rouge Historical Association (collection photographs)
  • West Side Journal July 10, 2003
  • West Side Tri-Parish Shopper, April 19, 2004
  • West Side Tri-Parish Shopper, Volume 1, No. 34 June 7, 2004
  • Morning Advocate, September 11, 1960