Dawdy’s Ferry Plaque

A ferry for a dollar. Can you imagine? Right here at Dawdy’s Ferry, that was the going rate for a wagon and four animals to cross the Trinity River. Dawdy’s Ferry Plaque commemorates this vital crossing, a bustling hub of activity in the 19th century. Alanson Dawdy, an Illinois native, arrived in Dallas County in 1847. He secured a license to operate his ferry in 1854. This was the southernmost river crossing at the time, a crucial link for communities on both sides. The plaque at Dawdy’s Ferry tells us the ferry ran until around 1876. Imagine the clatter of hooves and wagon wheels as people and goods traversed the river. A man and his horse could cross for a mere ten cents. Pedestrians paid even less, just five cents. The ferry wasn’t the only thing Alanson Dawdy was known for. He was a veteran of both the Mexican and Civil Wars. He served under Colonel Hardin at the Battle of Buena Vista and later under Captain Perry in Darnell’s regiment during the Civil War. Dawdy’s Ferry played a crucial role in the growth of Dallas County, connecting communities and facilitating trade. The first permanent bridge was built here in 1888, marking the end of an era for the ferry. But the legacy of Alanson Dawdy and his ferry lives on, commemorated by this plaque. It stands as a reminder of the ingenuity and resilience of early settlers and the vital role Dawdy’s Ferry played in shaping the region.