Glenns Ferry in Elmore County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

Glenn's Ferry

Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, October 2, 2009

1. Glenn's Ferry Marker

Inscription. After the golden spike was driven at Promontory Utah in 1869 the nearest railroad station to Boise was Kelton on the north shore of the Great Salt Lake. A ferry was built 1/2 mile up on the river as a joint effort by Gustavus Glenn, a local rancher who operated freight wagons in the area and Ken Lewis, to service traffic on the Kelton road. Stage coach operators preferred the more northerly route over King Hill and a crossing near Thousand Springs. Operators of heavy freight wagons preferred the local route and in 1870 Glenn bought Lewis out. A post office was established in the ferry house with Glenn as postmaster. The Kelton road was used only until 1883 at which time the Oregon Short Line Railroad was completed through here. After that time the ferry was used to service farms and ranches south of the river well into the twentieth century by the McAnulty, Rosevear and Eicholz families, having been refurbished a number of times.

Erected by Glenns Ferry Area Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles

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• Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 42° 56.853′ N, 115° 17.865′ W. Marker is in Glenns Ferry, Idaho, in Elmore County. It is at the intersection of South Commerical Street and West Madison Avenue, on the left when traveling south on South Commerical Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Glenns Ferry ID 83623, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Snake River Plain

and in Greater Boise.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Oregon Trail (here, next to this marker); Rosevear's Ferry (within shouting distance of this marker); Site 1 ★ Two Island Crossing (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gorby Opera Theatre (1914) (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named The Oregon Trail (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Three Island Ford (approx. 1.3 miles away); Idaho's Bicentennial Wagon

Oregon Trail Markers in Glenns Ferry, Idaho image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, June 1, 2010

2. Oregon Trail Markers in Glenns Ferry, Idaho

(approx. 1.3 miles away); To All Pioneers (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glenns Ferry.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2010, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. This page has been viewed 1,658 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2010, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.