FERRIES near PORTLAND

There are three ferries within 50 miles of Portland. Back between 1800-1930 there were 100s of them across the Willamette River between Portland and Eugene Oregon. Portland had some and the last one was a few feet north of the Sellwood Bridge in the Sellwood section of Portland. This present day bridge is going to be replaced soon (when ever they make up their minds).
The Sellwood ferry was replaced with a covered bridge that had a bar on both ends and in the center. This covered bridge was replaced with the bridge that is in use now. You can see the ramps for the old ferry on both ends of this bridge by looking a few feet north.
All the other ferries beside the three that are listed here were replaced by bridges. Bridges could moved a lot more people. The counties that have these three do not see the need to spend a lot of money to build bridges because not a large number of people use the ferries. If some thing should happen and they have to replace one of them they may not do it. The people would then have to go around. These three are 20 miles apart and the first one is about 20 miles south of Portland.
.
CANBY FERRY
Canby Oregon is about 8 miles south of Oregon City . Oregon City is about 6 miles south of Portland on the east side of the Willamette River. 8 miles south of the US 99E underpass (going under the railroad) at the south end of Oregon City you will come to a road the has a sign saying "Canby Ferry" Turn right and go about 3 miles you will come to the Canby Ferry. On the west side the road goes to Interstate 5 and I- 205.
The first ferry was built here in July 1914 and was made of wood. It did not have any power and only went where the current went. The first ferry that had power was built in May 1917 and was destroyed in 1946 when it was swept from its moorings by flood waters.
There was no ferry until a new one was built and opened on July 3, 1953. At that time they installed a cable on the river botton and the ferry was hooked up to it so that it could not go any place but across. Because of this if a large boat came up the river they had to stop so that the boats would not get hung up with the cable. In 1996 the ferry was shut down because of a flood and because of the condition at that time, it was shut down and in June 1997 they received a new one that is working now.
This ferry is the largest one on the River and can load 6 cars on a trip of 800 feet across. There is a charged of $1.25 for a car, .75 for a cycle and more for trucks. The ferry will work from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM every day except Veterans Day, Christmas, and Memorial day. It is run and owned by Clackamas County and they say that the tolls pays all the expense. If something happen to this ferry it may not be replaced.
.
WHEATLAND FERRY
The Wheatland Ferry is about 20 miles up river from the Canby Ferry. It is owned by Marion-Yamhill Countries. This ferry is smaller than the above ferry but is made the same. It is a cable ferry that takes their power from the power company. You can get 4 cars on it at a time and the charged is $1.00 for a car, .50 for a cycle and more for a truck (if they ever get one). This ferry is about 6 miles south from St Paul Oregon on a little used road. After crossing over the ferry you will be on some back roads for a time until you come to Newburg , etc. For direction stop in St Paul and they will tell you the house to turn right on to come to the ferry. It is a nice trip.
.
BUENA VISTA FERRY
Buena Vista Ferry is about 20 miles south of the Wheatland Ferry and is only open from May to Oct. It is on a back road and is used for the people out for a drive. This ferry is operated by Marion and Polk Counties and is near Independence Oregon. The last time I was on it the toll was $.50 but it may be more now. Do not go to look for it until you stop in Independence and check to see if it is working. In Nov., 2000 it was closed down for the winter.
For directions stop in Independence.
.
As you can see these three ferries are out of the way and would make a nice day trip and people can get some good pictures if they want to. You will travel on some of the back roads in Oregon. You will not be able to travel fast as these roads are not strait and are not wide. The road from the Wheatland Ferry is not even a full 2 lanes. These three ferries would make a nice Sunday auto trip and would not cost a lot beside the small tolls. There are NO fast food or stores near them so get your food before going. The first two have a small state park on the east end that you can stop at.
.
Any Comments, Questions, or Inquiries: e_Mail is- w7wwg@jps.net
To go back to the menu : click here.
Ted Peterson.