Stone's Ferry, Nevada facts for kids
Stone's Ferry was an old settlement and a place where people could cross the Colorado River. It was located between Nevada and Arizona, in Clark County, Nevada, United States.
This crossing was important for early settlers, especially members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It helped them travel between different areas.
The ferry's exact location changed a few times. It was sometimes near the mouth of the Virgin River. Other times, it was about 6 miles downstream. The area opposite the ferry, called Detrital Valley, was a good path. It made it easier to get in and out of the Colorado River canyon. This path also connected to Nevada and Utah through the Virgin and Muddy Valleys. Later, the ferry moved upstream. Its final known location was opposite Detrital Wash, as recorded in an 1875 survey.
A Busy River Crossing
Stone's Ferry first served as a way to cross the Colorado River. It connected Mormon settlements in Pah-Ute County, Arizona, like those near the Virgin and Muddy River, with the rest of Arizona Territory. A road from the ferry went south to important mining towns. These towns included Chloride, Mineral Park, and Cerbat. It also connected to the road between Hardyville and Prescott.
At first, the ferry was not a formal business. People just used boats left there to cross the river. This continued until Brigham Young, a leader of the Latter-day Saints, visited the settlements in 1870. Stone's Ferry was also a stop for barges. Captain L. C. Wilburn used these barges to carry salt. He brought salt from the Mormon salt mines in the Virgin River valley. This salt was then used in the mills of El Dorado Canyon to process silver ore.
A New Owner and a New Name
In 1870, the Mormon colonists decided to leave their settlements in the Muddy and Virgin valleys. However, Daniel Bonelli of St. Thomas was the only one who chose to stay. He moved his family and bought the ferry boat. He then started a business offering ferry services at Stone's Ferry.
At first, his ferry was located about 6 miles downstream from the mouth of the Virgin River. Later, the ferry moved upstream. It ended up about 2 miles below the Virgin River mouth, across from Detrital Wash. In 1876, Bonelli moved the ferry and his family again. They went upstream to an area near the old settlement of Junction City, just east of the Virgin River's mouth. At this new location, he renamed the ferry Bonelli's Ferry.
What's There Today?
The original site of Stone's Ferry is now underwater. It is covered by the Virgin Basin, which is part of Lake Mead.
