Dawdy's Ferry

Historical marker location:

Hutchins, Texas

( New Dawdy Ferry Road, about 1.3 miles E of IH-45 (right before bridge on N side of road), Hutchins)

Marker installed: 1986

Illinois native Alanson Dawdy (1826 - 1901) came to Dallas County in 1847. In 1854, he was granted a license to operate a ferry at this site on the Trinity River, the southernmost crossing at the time. An important route for citizens living on both sides of the river, the ferry continued in operation until about 1876. Ferry charges included one dollar for a wagon with four or more animals, ten cents for a man and horse, and five cents for a person on foot. The first permanent bridge was installed at this site in 1888. Dawdy was a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars.

Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986.

roads boats, ships, ferries, barges, and other marine vessels water topics

The first oil well in the United States was drilled in Texas in 1859. The discovery of oil transformed the economy of the state and helped to make Texas one of the wealthiest states in the nation.