Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Crossing the Mississippi
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017
1. Crossing the Mississippi Marker
Inscription.
Crossing the Mississippi. . Prior to the construction of a bridge in 1930 across the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, train cars crossed to Louisiana on "ferries for trains" called transfer boats. The inclines at Kleinstown in Vicksburg and Delta Point in Louisiana were constructed from June to October 1885, with the first train crossing the Mississippi by transfer steamer on October 27, 1885. These inclines were constructed with a "cradle" that could be raised or lowered with the rise and fall of the river. The first two transfer boats, used until the turn of the century, were the "Northern Pacific" and the "Delta." The Louisiana and Mississippi Valley Transfer Company later operated two vessels at Vicksburg, the "Pelican" and the "Albatross." The "Pelican" was built in 1902 by the Iowa Iron Works at a cost of $280,000. It was followed by the "Albatross" which was built in 1907, also by the Iowa Iron Works, and was 308 feet long by 53.8 feet wide with a draft of 7 feet 6 inches and powered by six boilers. Trains were ferried across the river night and day with these boats until the highway rail bridge was completed in 1930, making it faster and safer to cross the Mighty Mississippi.
Prior to the construction of a bridge in 1930 across the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, train cars crossed to Louisiana on "ferries for trains" called transfer boats. The inclines at Kleinstown in Vicksburg and Delta Point in Louisiana were constructed from June to October 1885, with the first train crossing the Mississippi by transfer steamer on October 27, 1885. These inclines were constructed with a "cradle" that could be raised or lowered with the rise and fall of the river. The first two transfer boats, used until the turn of the century, were the "Northern Pacific" and the "Delta." The Louisiana and Mississippi Valley Transfer Company later operated two vessels at Vicksburg, the "Pelican" and the "Albatross." The "Pelican" was built in 1902 by the Iowa Iron Works at a cost of $280,000. It was followed by the "Albatross" which was built in 1907, also by the Iowa Iron Works, and was 308 feet long by 53.8 feet wide with a draft of 7 feet 6 inches and powered by six boilers. Trains were ferried across the river night and day with these boats until the highway rail bridge was completed in 1930, making it faster and safer to cross the Mighty Mississippi.
Erected 2004 by the City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts
Location. 32° 21.065′ N, 90° 53.032′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Levee Street north of Clay Street, on the left when traveling north. The Vicksburg Riverfront Murals are located on the Yazoo Diversion Canal levee wall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Levee Street, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 433 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
