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. 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

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Erected 2004 by the City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1885.

Location. 32° 21.065′ N, 90° 53.032′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Natchez Trace Corridor

and in Greater Jackson.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate

Crossing the Mississippi, Last of the Ferries "The Connection of East and West at Vicksburg" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

2. Crossing the Mississippi, Last of the Ferries "The Connection of East and West at Vicksburg"

States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Washington Street (here, next to this marker); Dedication of the Illinois Monument (here, next to this marker); Teddy Roosevelt Bear Hunt (a few steps from this marker); Joseph Biedenharn and the First Bottling of Coca-Cola (a few steps from this marker); Vicksburg Waterfront Circa 1907 (a few steps from this marker); "New Beginnings & Lasting Legacies" (a few steps from this marker); Sisters of Mercy (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sultana's Last Voyage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg.

Also see . . . The Vicksburg Riverfront Mural website. (Submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Vicksburg, Mississippi waterfront levee wall murals. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017

3. Vicksburg, Mississippi waterfront levee wall murals.

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 1,013 times since then and 140 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.