Historic Bridges of the U.S. | Colsac III Ferry

Contact webmaster

On this page: Photos · Map · Facts · Categories · Update Log · Sources · Comments

Photos

< Previous (1 of 14) Next >

The Colsac III Ferry

The Colsac III ferry operates from mid-April to November 30, each year, weather permitting and operates 24/7 in season. "Colsac" is a phonetic combination of the names of Columbia and Sauk Counties, separated by the Wisconsin River. A ferry has been in operation at this site since 1844, four years before Wisconsin became a state.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (2 of 14) Next >

Cars Que up on the Okee (east) side of the river

Okee is nearby, the ferry docks are in the Town of West Point. (Yes, West Point is on the east side of the river.)

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (3 of 14) Next >

Departing Okee for Merrimac

The Colsac III carries three lanes of of five cars, a total of 15 cars.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (4 of 14) Next >

Hydraulic ramps allow entrance and exit

Here cars depart the ferry on the Merrimac side.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (5 of 14) Next >

Cars Que in 3 Lanes

This is the que on the Merrimac side.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (6 of 14) Next >

Guide cable anchor

The ferry is guided by two outboard cables, a center cable is used for propulsion.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (7 of 14) Next >

Ferry arrives on Merrimac side

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (8 of 14) Next >

NRHP and State historic plaques

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (9 of 14) Next >

Safety Devices

Wisconsin law requires life preservers for all passengers. The law also requires a life boat, which looks suspiciously like a typical fishing boat.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (10 of 14) Next >

Builder's Plaque

The Colsac III went into service in 2003, replacing the aging Colsac II that only carried 12 automobiles. Colsac II replaced the original Colsac in 1963. Colsac was built in 1924 and was operated by the two counties as a fee ferry until 1933, when it was turned over to the state.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (11 of 14) Next >

The superstructure and bridge

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (12 of 14) Next >

Guide cable

The north side guide cable.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (13 of 14) Next >

State of Wisconsin Historical Marker

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

< Previous (14 of 14) Next >

Ferry Warning

In the event that the ferry is not operational, these warning signs are placed at strategic locations to advise motorists to revise their routes. Drivers may also call (608)246-3871 to check availability.

Photo taken by J.R. Manning in October 2007

Map

Vicinity Map

Vicinity map

Map links:

Facts

Overview: Ferry across Wisconsin River on Wis 113
Status: Open to traffic
History: Privately owned, fee ferry from 1844 to 1923, operated by State of Wisconsin since 1933 as a free ferry
Design: Ferry
Approximate latitude, longitude: +43.36780, -89.62360 (decimal degrees)
43°22'04" N, 89°37'25" W (degrees°minutes'seconds")
Inventory number: BH 36174 (Bridgehunter.com ID)

Update Log

February 5, 2008: Added by J.R. Manning

Sources

J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

Post a comment here · Contact webmaster

Comments

Colsac III Ferry

Posted February 5, 2008, by J.R. Manning (thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net)

During WWII, the ferry was a bottleneck for workers communing to an ordnance plant in Baraboo. The US Government offered to pay half the cost of a bridge, but the governor vetoed the idea, saying that if the US Government wanted a bridge here, they could pay for the whole thing.

In the 1960's, service complaints stacked up because the original Colsac, built in 1924 for cars the size of a Model T Ford, could only carry six modern cars. I-94 crossed the Wisconsin River just 12 miles up the road, and it was thought that most tourists would rather travel the Interstate than the anachronistic ferry. The state proposed building a bridge here. Local interests had seen how tourists gladly traveled 12 miles out of their way to take the ferry, so they started a local protest.

Buttons proclaiming "I believe in ferries" was the basis of the campaign. The state gave in, and the Colsac II went into service in 1963.

According to the Wisconsin DOT, the ferry continues to carry over a quarter of a million vehicles each year, including 316,819 in 2004. Link: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/water/merrimac-history.htm

The Colsac III is a nostalgic trip across the river, the last ferry on the state trunk highway system. At one time, there were over 500 ferries in operation in Wisconsin. Ferries carry cars and people into the state but this is the last ferry operating within the state of Wisconsin.