Near Salem in Yamhill County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)

The Wheatland Ferry

Photographed by Diane Smith, August 6, 2023

1. Closeup: The Wheatland Ferry Marker

Inscription. Captain Daniel Matheny (1793-1872) and his wife Mary Cooper Matheny (1800-1856) came to Oregon in the first wagon train arriving in 1843. Daniel built the first ferry to carry an ox and wagon across the Willamette River in 1844. Since its beginning, the ferry has carried wagons, farm produce to processing plants, and commuters across the river. The original ferry was a current-powered drift ferry. Later ones were rope-pulled, gas and diesel-powered, and electric as is the current Daniel Matheny V Ferry. The Wheatland Ferry has crossed the river between Yamhill and Marion counties continuously from 1844 to today. It is the oldest ferry in the State of Oregon.

Erected 2023 by Oregon State Society Daughters of the American Colonists and J. Elaine Warmington Wagner State Regent, 2021-2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 45° 5.497′ N, 123° 3.003′ W. Marker is near Salem, Oregon, in Yamhill County. It is on Wheatland Road Northwest west of Magness Road NW, on the right when traveling west. The marker

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is just off Wallace Road NW in Yamhill County, across the highway from the Maud Williamson State Recreation Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18225 Wheatland Rd NW, Salem OR 97304, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oregon Wine Country,

in the Willamette Valley,

and in Greater Portland Area.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Madame Marie Dorion (approx. 5.7 miles away); a different marker also named Madame Marie Dorion (approx. 5.7 miles away); St. Paul Roman Catholic Church (approx. 9 miles away); Pioneer Park and Blockhouse (approx. 9 miles away); Courthouse Square Park (approx. 9.1 miles away); Yamhill Blockhouse (approx. 9.1 miles away); The Most Reverend F. N. Blanchet (approx. 9.1 miles away); Herbert Hoover Boyhood Home (approx. 9.2 miles away).

The Wheatland Ferry Marker flower garden. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Smith, August 6, 2023

2. The Wheatland Ferry Marker flower garden.

Oregon DAC members image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Smith

3. Oregon DAC members

About 75 people attended the dedication ceremony. Here are the Oregon State DAC members who attended.

It's been crossing the Willamete since 1844. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Smith

4. It's been crossing the Willamete since 1844.

Marking the site image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of Oregon State Society DAC, August 6, 2023

5. Marking the site

Honorary National President and Western Section Marker Chairman Jacke Barnes and Oregon State Regent J. Elaine Wagner mark the site of the Wheatland Ferry.

More DAC members - leadership image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Diane Smith, August 6, 2023

6. More DAC members - leadership

Carole Holt, Jacke Barnes, Penny Genise, Diane Smith

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. This page has been viewed 70 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 1, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. 6. submitted on February 2, 2026, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.