The River

Title: Ferry Near Red Wing
Type: Photograph
Date: before 1895
Source: Goodhue County Historical Society

Description: Ferries like this one were used to cross the river near Red Wing before bridges were completed in the area.

Activities:

1. Why might people need a ferry to carry them across the river?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Bridges were not built across the river until 1895 in Red Wing, so ferries were the easiest way for people from Wisconsin to cross over to Red Wing to do business andvisit friends.
2. From the information in this picture, what did people bring on the ferry when they traveled?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The ferries were able to carry horses, wagons and carriages across the river with their owners.
3. Looking at the photograph of the ferry, how do you think the ferry moved across the river?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: There were a series of ropes and pulleys that allowed them to travel in a straight line from one side of the river to another.
4. If we didn't know the date of this photograph, what clues might help us determine when it could have been taken?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Looking at the clothes of the riders and the design of the wagons and carriages can give us some indication of the time period involved.