Bonelli's Ferry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bonellis Ferry, Nevada
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View of the landing in 1890
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 Bonellis Ferry, Nevada
Location in Nevada
Bonellis Ferry, Nevada
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nevada |
| County | Clark |
| Elevation | 1,204 ft (367 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 863137 |
Bonelli's Ferry was a special boat service that carried people and wagons across the Colorado River. It connected the areas of Arizona and Nevada. The ferry was located just above the Virgin River, near a place once called Junction City. This area later became known as Rioville, Nevada. Today, both the old ferry site and Rioville are underwater. They were covered by Lake Mead after a large dam was built on the Colorado River.
History of Bonelli's Ferry
Bonelli's Ferry took over from an older service called Stone's Ferry. Stone's Ferry was a simple flat boat that started carrying people in 1871. It was located about two miles downriver from where Bonelli's Ferry would later be.
The right to run Stone's Ferry was first sold to James Thompson. In 1870, Thompson then sold these rights to Daniel Bonelli. Daniel Bonelli was a man from Switzerland who was also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He came from a town called St. Thomas, Nevada.
In 1876, Daniel Bonelli moved his ferry business upriver. He set it up near Junction City, which was at the mouth of the Virgin River. Crossing the river wasn't free! It cost $10 for a wagon and two people to cross. Each extra person cost 50 cents.
The ferry was very important for travel and trade. It linked roads that led to busy mining towns in Arizona, like Cerbat and Mineral Park. It also connected to the main road between Hardyville and Prescott. On the other side, it connected to roads leading to farming communities in Nevada and southwestern Utah. These communities grew food and supplies for the mining camps.
Sadly, a big flood destroyed Bonelli's Ferry in 1904. This was the same year Daniel Bonelli passed away. However, his son rebuilt the ferry and kept it running. The ferry continued to operate at this spot until 1935. That year, Lake Mead began to fill up behind a new dam on the Colorado River, covering the ferry site.
Bonelli's Ferry Today
The places where Bonelli's Ferry and Rioville once stood are now completely underwater. They are part of the large Lake Mead.
