Page in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Upper Ferry Site

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

1. Upper Ferry Site Marker

Inscription.
Safer and easier crossings made possible by moving the landing site here

Completed 1899
Improvements included a new ferry launch site, new ferry boat mounted on permanent track cable, and new road.

James Emett took over as lead ferryman in 1896 and requested major changes. Previous operators fought their way upstream rowing boats across the river, but the new cable system let the river current do much of the work.

The cable was anchored in a log tower filled with stones. See the remaining pile of rocks behind you.

Erected by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.

Location. 36° 51.816′ N, 111° 34.643′ W. Marker is in Page, Arizona, in Coconino County. It can be reached from Spencer Trail. Marker located along the Historic District River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marble Canyon AZ 86036, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Flagstaff & High Country,

in the Navajo Nation,

and in Hopi.

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It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: "Louse House" and Johnson Cabin (here, next to this marker); Spencer Steamboat (approx. ¼ mile away); Lee's Backbone (approx. ¼ mile away); Spencer Trail (approx. ¼ mile away); Water Intake (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lees Ferry (approx. 0.4 miles away); Spencer Boiler (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mining the Chinle Shale 1910-11 (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Page.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Charles H. Spencer “Paddlewheel” Steamboat (was approx. ¼ mile away but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

2. Upper Ferry Site Marker

Shows direction of ferry toward oppostite bank tower.

Upper Ferry Site Tower image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

3. Upper Ferry Site Tower

Tower on opposite bank the ferry cable was attatched to.

Upper Ferry Site Abandoned Cable image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

4. Upper Ferry Site Abandoned Cable

Cable from the Ferry abandoned after the Navajo Bridge opened in 1929.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, December 7, 2025

5. Upper Ferry Site Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. This page has been viewed 33 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 2, 2026, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.