STILL TINY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
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STILL TINY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS |
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 From
an historical perspective, interest in the Missouri River has always focused
on its role in water commerce, the flow of goods up-river or down-river.
But of equal importance to those who live in the vast and beautiful wilderness
of central Montana is the flow of goods, people and livestock across
the Missouri, from one bank to the other. |
 In
the early years of western settlement, there were no bridges across the
river, only ferry boats. The first Missouri River ferry began operation
in 1863. Between that date and 1906, when bridges began to rapidly replace
the ferries, research has identified over two dozen ferry operations. Some
were private, for the benefit of a specific ranch, while some were open
to the public, charging a fee set by the state legislature. All were considered
vital to the livelihood of Montanans, and most were simple affairs, powered
by the force of the river's own current. |
 Today,
only three ferries remain, each with a capacity of one truck (properly
balanced), or 2-3 smaller vehicles. Two of the ferries operate near Fort
Benton in Chouteau County, while the third runs north of Winifred between
Blaine County and Fergus County. All three are funded by their respective
county governments and are free to the public. |
 The
future of the remaining ferries is uncertain. In recent years, several
ferry runs have been replaced by more efficient and cost-effective concrete-and-steel
bridges. Riding one of the remaining boats is an exercise in nostalgia,
an experiencing of Montana's past that may not exist many years into the
future. Even the ferry operators are characters in themselves and contribute
to the adventure of the crossing. |
| Montana Twilight - A Video Documentary
Through the use of interviews, historical documents and footage shot on and near the river, this documentary will tell the story of the Missouri River ferries and, hopefully, encourage people to travel to the area and experience the crossings for themselves. This activity, in turn, will raise awareness in the county governments of the importance of the ferries to the economy of the area and will, thereby, contribute to the preservation of the remaining crossings. "Montana Twilight: The Last of the Missouri River Ferries" is a timely and important project for anyone interested in the course of river transportation in the American West.
 Montana Twilight |