The Story of the Bonner County Ferries
By Paul Rechnitzer
91 pages, black & white photos
8.25" x 10.75" softcover
Always On The Other Side has been reprinted in a limited edition with some new tales and digitally enhanced photographs and news reports of the time. The book is the most comprehensive work ever about the many ferry crossings in Bonner County during their 100-year history beginning in the mid-1800s. The work is dedicated to the many volunteers who are part of the Bonner County, Idaho and Pend Oreille County, Washington historical societies.
This book began as a newspaper article, but as the author uncovered piles and piles of previously unknown information during his research, it turned into much more. It opens with the fascinating history of ferries in Bonner County, including rivalry with roads, evolution of the boat, hazards on our wild and unpredictable waters, gossipy ferrymen and a map of ferry routes between 1850 and 1957.
Nine ferry crossings are then almost scrap-booked, with a few-page history combined with essays, diary entries, copies of things like an original ferry license and schedule, newspaper clippings, and maps. The pages are heavily decorated with black and white photos of familiar areas that inspire a nostalgic feeling. An additional section of ghost ferries, "those that left only paper trails," tells a brief history of a few more ferries.
At the end of the book is an appendix enthralling in itself, with newspaper articles, technical drawings and plans, letters and other writings, and pictures of important people and places. Following is a name index, to quickly pinpoint information about dozens of people.
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