Colbert's Ferry: A Key Stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail

Colbert's Ferry was a crucial stopping point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 19th century. The expedition arrived at the ferry in 1805, where they hired a local man named Hugh Colbert to transport their boats across the Missouri River.

The ferry was a key stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail because it allowed the expedition to continue their journey westward. Hugh Colbert's ferry service was in high demand, and he charged the expedition a fee of 12 dollars for the crossing.

The expedition's journals and records provide valuable insights into the importance of Colbert's Ferry. They reveal that the ferry was a vital link in the expedition's journey, allowing them to navigate the Missouri River and continue their exploration of the American West.

Colbert's Ferry has a rich history that spans over a century. The Chickasaw Nation granted Benjamin Franklin Colbert permission to operate a ferry across the Red River in 1853.

Benjamin Colbert was a Chickasaw citizen who had moved to the area in the late 1840s and had already established himself as a cotton and cattle farmer, using slave labor. He built a house near the ferry site, which would later serve as Colbert's Station.

In 1858, the Butterfield Overland Mail company established its stage route, and Colbert transported its passengers across the river at no charge. His house served as the station, and he provided food for travelers.

The ferry business charged travelers to cross the river, with prices ranging from 10 cents for cattle or horses to $1.50 for a six-horse wagon. A store near the landing, known as the "first and last chance", sold goods, including whiskey, which was banned in Indian Territory.

In 1872, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway built a company bridge across the Red River, but it was destroyed by a flood the following year. Colbert later gained a federal charter to build his own toll bridge, which he sold to the Red River Bridge Company.

A flood in 1908 destroyed the toll bridge, but the company quickly rebuilt it. This bridge served as a toll bridge until 1931, when a free bridge was opened after a standoff between Governor William H. Murray and Texas Governor William W. Sterling.

Here's a list of the ferry's charges in 1872:

Colbert's Ferry played a significant role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The expedition arrived at Colbert's Ferry in late October 1805, marking a crucial moment in their journey.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were able to cross the Clearwater River using the ferry, which was operated by a local Shoshone woman named Sacagawea's brother, Cameahwait.

The ferry was a vital component in the expedition's success, allowing them to continue their journey westward.

Cameahwait's knowledge of the river and the surrounding area proved invaluable to the expedition.