Ferries and steamboats of Lake Crescent, Washington facts for kids
Ferry Storm King disembarking passengers at Piedmont on Lake Crescent
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| Waterway | Lake Crescent, Washington |
|---|---|
| Route | East Beach – Fairholm |
| Began operation | 1914 |
| Ended operation | 1922 |
| Successor |  U.S. Route 101 |
| System length | 12 miles |
| No. of vessels | multiple (Storm King and others) |
Before roads were built, ferries and steamboats were super important for getting around Lake Crescent. These boats carried people and goods across the lake. They were the main way to travel from Port Townsend to the northwestern part of the Olympic Peninsula.
These boats were used until 1922. That's when the Olympic Highway was finished. This new road was built along the south shore of the lake.
Contents
Where the Ferries Went
Before roads, many popular spots around Lake Crescent could only be reached by boat. Ferries and steamboats made it possible for people to visit these places.
Lake Crescent Lodge
The Lake Crescent Lodge is a famous place on the lake. It was first called Singer's Lake Crescent Tavern. Avery J and Julia Singer built it a long time ago. Ferries would pick up and drop off people at the East Beach dock, which was close to the lodge.
Ovington's Resort
Ovington's Resort was another popular spot. It was on the north side of Lake Crescent. Edward J. "Ned" Ovington and his wife Emily built it in 1905. Guests would arrive at Ovington's by boat. This was before any roads were built along the north shore.
Marymere Hotel
The Barnes family built the Marymere Hotel in 1906. It was located at Barnes Point, a narrow part of the lake. This hotel was at the bottom of Mount Storm King. Just like the other resorts, guests came to the Marymere Hotel by boat. Sadly, the hotel burned down around 1914.
Building and Using the Ferries
Many different boats were built to travel on Lake Crescent. They helped people get around and move supplies.
Early Boats on the Lake
The very first powered boat on Lake Crescent was called the Lady of the Lake. Paul Barnes built it, and it started running in 1891. It traveled between Fairholm and Piedmont. A faster boat, a steamer named The Flyer, arrived on the lake in 1893.
The Betty Earles
In 1913, Michael Earles built a special boat. He owned the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort. His boat was a gasoline-powered launch named Betty Earles, after his daughter. It took guests from one end of the lake to Fairholm. From there, guests would ride buses to his resort. The Betty Earles was a big boat for the lake. It was 65 feet long and had a powerful 80 horsepower engine.
After Michael Earles' resort burned down around 1918, the Betty Earles moved. It started working on Puget Sound as a tugboat. Amazingly, the Betty Earles was still working as a tugboat in 1958!
The Marjory Ferry
In 1914, Captain O.D. Treiber designed a new ferry for Clallam County. It was called the Marjory. This ferry was powered by gasoline and had side wheels. The Marjory was 65 feet long and could carry seven cars and 50 passengers. It traveled the same route as the Betty Earles.
The Storm King Ferry
Captain Treiber also designed an even bigger ferry for Lake Crescent. This one was named Storm King, after a mountain nearby. Like the Marjory, the Storm King had side wheels. But it was much larger! It was 112 feet long and had a 40 horsepower engine. The Storm King was probably the biggest boat ever on Lake Crescent. It could carry 21 cars and 150 passengers. That's three times more than the Marjory!
Other Lake Crescent Boats
Lake Crescent also had other smaller boats. These were steam and gasoline-powered launches. They had cool names like Olympus, Greyhound, and Flyer. These boats helped connect different parts of the lake before roads made travel easier.
