Historic ferries of the Atlanta area

There were several historic ferries around the metro Atlanta, Georgia area, for which many of its current-day roads are still named. Most of the ferries date back to the 1820s and 1830s, to carry travelers over the area's rivers, most often the Chattahoochee River.

Bell's Ferry

Bell's Ferry was a ferry across the Little River in Cherokee County, Georgia. Bells Ferry Road runs from Marietta, Georgia north to Canton, Georgia, west of and parallel to former State Route 5 (now renumbered onto Interstate 575). Within the city of Marietta, street signs use "Bell's" rather than "Bells". Until 1984, the section of this road from Oak Grove to Canton in Cherokee County was designated as State Route 205.

Johnson's Ferry

Johnson's Ferry or the Johnson Ferry was built by Johnson Garwood. Johnson Ferry Road (sometimes called "Johnson's Ferry Road") is a major thoroughfare between Cobb County and Sandy Springs.

Jones Ferry

See Jones Bridge.

Montgomery Ferry

Montgomery Ferry was located on the Chattahoochee near Fort Peachtree where the Western & Atlantic Railroad crosses the Chattahoochee, and was built by Major James McConnell Montgomery. [1]

In 1853 it was taken over by Martin DeFoor and became known as DeFoor's Ferry.

Nelson Ferry

John B. Nelson (father of Allison Nelson) operated this ferry where Sandy Creek flowed into the Chattahoochee (the up-river part of Fulton County Airport). He ran it from 1820 until his murder in 1825. historical marker

Pace's Ferry

Pace's Ferry belonged to Hardy Pace, one of Atlanta's founders. Paces Ferry Road is one of Atlanta's best-known streets, and is the address for the Georgia Governor's Mansion as well as many of Atlanta's other wealthy and well-to-do in the Buckhead area. East Paces Ferry Road runs as far east as Dunwoody, passing along the southeastern edge of Lenox Square mall. West Paces Ferry Road runs as far west as Vinings (formerly Paces), just across the Chattahoochee River. Paces Mill Road is a small spur route off of the much busier Paces Ferry Road there. The east/west division is at Roswell Road (Georgia 9) in Buckhead (Atlanta).

There was also a Battle of Pace's Ferry during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War.

Powers Ferry

The Powers Ferry, built by James Powers, was another route from Atlanta into Cobb County, upstream from Pace's Ferry. Powers Ferry Road road ends in Marietta at Georgia 120.

Shallow Ford

The Shallow Ford was indeed a shallow ford across the Chattahoochee. Shallowford Road now takes this route.

Vann's Ferry

Vann's Ferry was the first ferry across the Chattahoochee, starting in 1804. It was named for Cherokee leader James Vann (builder of the Vann House, and crossed the river from Hall County to Forsyth County, at a point now under Lake Lanier. There is no longer a road by this name, and the area is now becoming an exurb of metro Atlanta.