Memories from the Homestead: Vintage view of the Compton Ferry

In the time before bridges began to make their appearance on the White River, the ferry was the most common way to complete a river crossing. Several were well known in our area. There was one near Protem, one at Forsyth, another near Bull Creek, and for those who needed to get to Hollister from Branson, there was the Compton Ferry.

Photo courtesy Branson Centennial Museum

Only a handful of photos of this operation exist, and in 1909, George Hall took this photo on the Hollister side of the river. This particular location is just above the current railroad bridge looking west.

The men in this photo have been confirmed to be at left, Henry Compton, next to him is Harrison Collins, and in the wagon, his grandson William Harrison Collins. Both of the Collins men were Baptist preachers.

Henry Compton operated this ferry for several years. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, February 14, 1857. He married Annie Casey in 1877 and they raised five daughters. They sold the ferry in 1912 to the developers of Powersite Dam. He died near Branson on June 17, 1912, at the age of 55 and was laid to rest at the Mountain Grove Cemetery, which is four miles down T Highway today.

Harrison Collins was born November 6, 1838, in Morgan, Indiana, later moving to Douglas County, Missouri, and later Marion County, Arkansas. He and his wife Tarissa moved to the Kirbyville area prior to 1910. They raised seven children. He died in Kirbyville, April 16, 1915, and is also buried in the Mountain Grove Cemetery. 

Harrison's Grandson William, seen in the wagon, lived an impressive life. Born to Searl and Nancy Collins in May 1888, he followed his family's legacy as a circuit preacher and had a long career. He lived to age 101, passing May 27, 1989 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

By the time of the construction of Powersite Dam, many of these ferries were closed as roads and bridges would be constructed. George Hall captured a great photo here, one of hundreds that he took of our area after the arrival of the railroad.

This particular photo was courtesy of the Branson Centennial Museum. Drop by and pay them a visit. Their Hall Photo collection is quite impressive. Located at 120 South Commercial Street, they're open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Happy trails, everyone!