2/23/2009:
Progress, it seems, is all about direction. Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, "The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving."
When North Dakota was relatively young, many traveled in a westerly direction for land, opportunity, and a different life. Later, as more and more communities sprang up in North Dakota, the people around Bismarck sought a way to go in both directions-across the wide Missouri, that is.
In 1911, on this date, the people of Bismarck were eagerly awaiting the newest form of progress - a ferry service.
The Bismarck Commercial Club members met over the advisability of such a commercial endeavor. The meeting was well-attended by business leaders of every kind-doctors, car dealers, liverymen, merchants, wholesalers, and practically every other industry had some form of representation. Everyone liked the idea of Bismarck getting a ferry, and the time seemed right.
The proposition was for a 30 or 40 horsepower, gas-powered boat to be operated across the Missouri River, south of the Northern Pacific railway bridge. The ferry would be able to carry at least four two-horse-and-wagon teams at a time. One man would be in charge of it at all times, and it would travel any hour, day or night.
The commercial club would sponsor the ferry, but it was not supposed to be a money-making effort completely; in fact, the rate for transportation was to be minimal, enough to cover costs. The main benefit they hoped to reap from their effort was that of trade. The ferry predated the Memorial bridge by about ten years. Without a bridge, the Missouri was a barrier. The ferry served as an easy and direct means of travel back and forth, from one community to another, and would allow their businesses to prosper.
After all, Bismarck was becoming a leading city in the area, and wholesome, steady growth of business was essential. It was a way to grow, to develop, to reach another level.
For, as Ben Franklin said, "Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning."
By Sarah Walker
Sources:
Bismarck Daily Tribune, Wednesday, February 22, 1911, p.8