JPG: Photos: "Crossing the Colorado River -- Lee's Ferry (1871)" by Richard Knight

Crossing the Colorado River -- Lee's Ferry (1871)

Hot! In Ripple Effect

by Richard Knight

Uploaded 23 Oct 2009 — 39 favorites

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Lee’s Ferry, Arizona [On U.S. Highway 89A]

For History Buffs [Part 1 of 3]

The Colorado River separates Northern Arizona (“The Strip”) from the rest of the state. Before the Hoover Dam (1935), the Colorado River was wild and untamed, making a crossing anywhere in Arizona a dangerous mission. Many tried, and many failed. Arizona was isolated.

Finally, Brigham Young, President of the Latter-Day Saints, ordered John D. Lee to establish a ferry service near the confluence of the Colorado and Pariah Rivers, slightly upstream from the Marble Canyon.

Lee and his wife, Emma, began service on Christmas Day, 1871. Lee’s other wife, Rachel, joined them several days later.

John D. Lee was a most curious choice. Lee was the highest ranking militiaman at the infamous “Mountain Meadows Massacre,” where 120 men, women, and children were killed, in 1857. Seventeen years later, in 1874, Lee was arrested for his role in the massacre. He was executed in 1877. In his absence, Emma operated the ferry.

It was not long after Lee’s demise that Warren Johnson, his wives, and their children arrived at Lee’s Ferry and relieved Emma of her responsibilities. I will say more of the Johnsons, later.

What you see in this diptych is the Lee’s Ferry Fort (1874) and the Colorado River just below the crossing. The River is gentle now, in contrast to the rampaging river that carved the Grand Canyon. The ferry operated for almost six decades, until construction of the first Navajo Bridge in 1929.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre was the subject of an excellent documentary, “Burying the Past: Legacy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre” (2004), and a highly controversial dramatic film, "September Dawn” (2006). Netflix has them both.

In the Crossing the Colorado River photo essay.

39 responses

daniele castellucchio gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Simply fantastic!!!!!
Kathleen Mercado said (23 Oct 2009):
Fabulous Richard...and the history is much appreciated!:)
dp * gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Very nice Richard ! Great read and lovely tych. dp
Karen Foto Fiddler gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Excellent history on this location! Could you imagine crossing a raging water like this and be a woman? You have named some strong women in your photo lessons. Makes me want to be a stronger lady!
John Tanner gave props (23 Oct 2009):
great piece of history to go with the photo!!
Judy Wanamaker gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Two very beautiful panoramas. What a colorful history this place has. Thanks for the narrative, Dick.
Warren ~Mangione~ gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Liked the history and the photos are well done.
Betty Maxey gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Wow, what a history lesson, and what photos....I love the stone work...and I love the river shot....excellant shots!!! Thank you!!!
Litz Go gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Outstanding in everyway RV! You are not only a talented knowledgeable historian, but a good photographer, too! Kudos to you, Mr. Knight in shining armor.
Mary Brown gave props (23 Oct 2009):
You're getting to be a pro at those diptychs! Great job! Thank you for the fascinating history. I need to rent the two DVDs.
Susan Littlefield gave props (23 Oct 2009):
So this is what you were talking about!! Wonderful photos, and a very interesting story.
JOE FAILK gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Great shot and an interesting bit of history
Jack Sills gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Marvelous!!!!
Al Gieryna gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Two fantastic images for the price of one
Stefi Failk gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Al hiy the nail on the head!
Latrenia Bryant gave props (23 Oct 2009):
Heeeey.. I looove this shot! Outstanding indeed :)
Andrea Petersen gave props (23 Oct 2009):
You are doing very well with these diptychs..It would be nice if JPG could make that a theme...Your essays are as always very concise and you bring history to us in an interesting way.
stuart s gave props (24 Oct 2009):
What a great shot and story.
eithne mythen gave props (24 Oct 2009):
Fabulous history Richard,always lovely to know what you are looking at, great diptych, love the shadow on the building, the view of the river is gorgeous I love it..
John Linton gave props (24 Oct 2009):
Diptastic.
Karen K Smith gave props (24 Oct 2009):
A beautiful image and great history!
Christopher J Chalk gave props (24 Oct 2009):
Great reading, great images!
Michael Ball gave props (25 Oct 2009):
Wonderful history lesson! Two fantastic shots!!
Regenia Brabham gave props (25 Oct 2009):
I love the lesson and must learn more!! These are both terrific captures and a great diptych!!!
Tori Lindo gave props (25 Oct 2009):
beautiful!
JamesHarmon McQuilkin gave props (25 Oct 2009):
I had to look twice---unique approach---love the contrast and earth colours
Zerina Phillip gave props (25 Oct 2009):
Nice history behind this photo. Great work.
Dawn Duffield (Deleted) gave props (26 Oct 2009):
Such a sad story; yet beautiful images. Very well composed and informative!
Patty Gross gave props (26 Oct 2009):
Very interesting piece of American history....with lovely photos accompanying it. Thanks so much for sharing!!!! Very nicely done, Richard!
david ong gave props (26 Oct 2009):
great info, and BEAUTIFUL shot R!
Deborah Downes gave props (26 Oct 2009):
Fascinating history and beautiful shots, Dick.
Joseph Rotindo said (26 Oct 2009):
loved the history lesson! and the photos to boot...with the text, it creates an infinitely more fathomable scenario.

a lot of times, i deal with abstract stuff (of my own choice), but I do appreciate it greatly when a concrete subject is broached in an artistic manner such as this.

excellent work!
Manon Boily gave props (27 Oct 2009):
great story Richard! with you I will understand more about usa. I want to know... before the Hoover Dam was built, the level of the water was higher? sorry if it's a stupid question. lol
Richard Knight said (27 Oct 2009):
Manon -- That is a very good question. Before the Hoover Dam was constructed, the water level was lower, but that is because the Colorado River was very fast moving. With the construction of the Hoover Dam, the 200-mile Lake Mead was created behind it (in other words, upstream). That raised the water level by creating a large reservoir. Thirty years later and farther upstream, the Glen Canyon Dam created 185-mile long Lake Powell. Before the dams, the water could not be effectively managed, and there was often flood or drought. Of course, construction of the dams resulted in hundreds of miles of interesting geology slipping below the surface never to be seen again.
Manon Boily said (27 Oct 2009):
thanks a lot Richard!
Donald Garrett gave props (1 Nov 2009):
Excellent capture! Thanks for all that great info
Rob Roy gave props (6 Nov 2009):
AWEsome entry! ...2 SUPER shots +++ EXCELlent text!!
Lise Utne gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Good photos and diptych; fascinating piece of history!
Richard Knight gave props (26 Nov 2009):
Thank you very much for your comments! I am only sorry that we cannot see the current (waves and ripples) before the river was tamed by the Glen Canyon and Hoover dams!