Before the John Snodgrass Bridge was completed in 1958, people living across the river in the valley and on Sand Mountain only had access to Stevenson by crossing the Caperton Ferry.
Art Williams and Jim Payne were school bus drivers that would pick up the valley students and take them to the ferry crossing. All the students would get off the bus and stand on the ferry in rain, sleet, snow, or sun to make the 10-15 minute ride across the Tennessee River. On the other side of the river another bus would be waiting to take us to the school. Never did a child fall into the river. Imagine today's parents allowing students to ride the ferry (without life jackets) twice a day to school.
For any emergencies after dark, the ferryman had to be awakened to get people across the river.
The last ferryman was Gander Owens. He lived in a house next to the ferry crossing so he would available 24/7.
