C'mon over the Willis Bridge over the West End of Lake Texoma now, and as you drive over it you will surely enjoy some history shared in this article. You'll probably start by imagining some folks using a pole to guide a wooden ferry across the Red River, long before Lake Texoma was a lake at all.
Actually, the Willis Ferry was located approximately half a mile east of the existing 5,425 foot-long, 28' wide Willis Bridge that was completed in 1960. But back in the 1880s, the Red River was only about 100 yards wide where a cable stretched 20' above the water level for a rope and pulley system that powered a wooden ferry, along with the natural east to southeast current in this particular location. When a rope became taut on either the Oklahoma or Texas side of the river, it would become slack on the other side, providing the opportunity for ferrymen to pole the barge ferry and keep the current pushing it to its destination.
Perhaps you're wondering what secured the cables on either side of the river? Good question. A gigantic cottonwood tree formed the base support on the Texas side, and two structures leaning towards the north at a 45 degree angle anchored the ferry cable on the Oklahoma side. Wooden planks were placed across either end of the ferry, depending on whether it was alighting at the Oklahoma or Texas end of its route, which allowed the passengers, wagons and freight to load and unload. Passage cost fifty cents for a one-way trip and seventy-five cents for a round trip. Two horse-drawn wagons with passengers and cargo could fit on the ferry each trip.
The US Government, through its Corps of Engineers furnished living quarters, a team of horses and a newly-invented Fresno Scraper for maintenance of the river channel in dry weather. These horse-drawn scrapers became famous for their use in construction of the Panama Canal during the late 1800s , having the capacity to scoop up soil and discharge it at a controlled depth, approximately four times more efficiently than shoveling by hand.
A series of ferrymen tended the ferry over its years of operation, and responded to the big iron bell which rang whenever a customer arrived and was ready to cross. Eventually early automobiles rode the ferry across the Red River, too, requiring more sturdy, secure landings and diligent maintenance.
The recent and proposed maintenance and expansion of the Willis Bridge over Lake Texoma is a far cry from the humble Willis Ferry, but it's good to remember the old days, isn't it?
Of course there were several other ferry barges traversing the Red River back in the day, and this would be a great place to post stories and photos about them.
