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 named. Most of the ferries date back to the 1820s and 1830s, to carry travelers across the Chattahoochee River or several other smaller rivers.

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 incorrectly referred to as "Johnson's Ferry Road") is a major thoroughfare between Cobb County and Sandy Springs.

Jones Ferry

See Jones Bridge.

Heard's Ferry

Heard's Ferry was operated by John Heard (1835-1931).

Isom's Ferry

Isom's Ferry was operated in the 1860s by James Isom. The ferry went by many names, include Isham's Ferry, Isham's Ford, Phillip's Ford, and Cavalry Ford. John Heard took over Isom's Ferry in 1868 and operated it until 1890. [1]

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. [2]

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 connects historic Vinings in the west, on the Chattahoochee River in Cobb County, to the western edge of Atlanta's Buckhead area in the east. From this end, West Paces Ferry Road, one of Atlanta's best-known streets, traverses east through some of Atlanta's oldest and wealthiest Buckhead neighborhoods, and serves as the address for the Georgia Governor's Mansion. Continuing east, West Paces Ferry Road becomes East Paces Ferry Road after intersecting Peachtree Road in Buckhead's entertainment and nightlife district. East Paces Ferry Road runs as far east as Lenox Square mall, after being broken up by Georgia Hwy 400. Paces Mill Road is a small spur route off of Paces Ferry Road connecting Vinings east to Cobb Parkway U.S. Route 41. There was also a Battle of Pace's Ferry during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War.

Powers Ferry

The Powers Ferry was another route from Atlanta into Cobb County, upstream from Pace's Ferry. Powers Ferry Road road ends in Marietta at Georgia 120. It is named after James Powers, a plantation owner who ran a ferry across the Chattahoochee River here in the early 1800s.

Shallow Ford

The Shallow Ford was indeed a shallow ford across the Chattahoochee. It was established by Jacob Brooks in 1824. 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.

References

• Golden, Randy. "Ferries of Cobb County". About North Georgia. Retrieved 2008-03-30.