National Register of Historic Places

Merrimac Ferry

Merrimac, Columbia County, Wisconsin
Listed
December 31, 1974
Type
Site
Period
Listed
Ref No.
74000330

About this property

The Merrimac Ferry is a cable ferry that crosses the Wisconsin River between Columbia and Sauk Counties in Wisconsin. Its western point is located near the village of Merrimac on State Highway 113 and United States Bicycle Route 30. The eastern point is located in Okee, Wisconsin. The Merrimac Ferry is both a functional regional crossing and a tourist attraction. There are ice cream stands at queue areas on either side of the river. It is the state's only free ferry, as well as the only ferry left on the Wisconsin State Trunk Highway System. The ferry is close to the head of Lake Wisconsin, as well as regional recreation areas, including Devil's Lake and Wisconsin Dells. Peak traffic coincides with the tourist season and weekend getaway schedules.

Location

Merrimac, Columbia County, Wisconsin
43.36812, -89.62404

Categories

TRANSPORTATION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Everything a full report reveals about Merrimac Ferry

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Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Spotlight
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
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Nearby Historic Sites

Durward's Glen
Listed
5 mi
Robertson, John A. and Martha, House
Industrial
5.7 mi
Lewis, Frank T. and Polly, House
Industrial
5.8 mi
Mills, Richard W. and Margaret, House
Industrial
5.9 mi
Lodi Street-Prairie Street Historic District
Listed
6.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Merrimac Ferry listed on the National Register?

Merrimac Ferry was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1974.

What type of historic resource is Merrimac Ferry?

Merrimac Ferry is classified as a site in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Merrimac Ferry?

The period of significance for Merrimac Ferry is recorded as the listed era.

Can I research the history near Merrimac Ferry?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Merrimac Ferry will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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