By all means do read the descriptions – great stuff.

I read the description of the photo of John Hartford, in overalls, grinning up from the deck of the Julia Belle Swain, and found out that her steam engine came from the ferry City of Baton Rouge and that ferry itself is still used as a wharf boat. This was fascinating information to me because I frequently rode the City of Baton Rouge while growing up in Baton Rouge, especially one summer when I worked across the river in Port Allen.

And in those days, before universal air conditioning, the ferry was a great place to end a date. You paid your dime or whatever and you could ride back and forth all night. Chugging along in the cool breeze with the moon reflecting off the water just might turn a southern girl's mind to… but I digress. What I meant to say was thanks to Art for letting me know what became of that part of my history, and for all the other pictures and descriptions.

By the way, the City of Baton Rouge had a sister ship, the Louisiana. During the day they were always crossing the river in opposite directions, passing in mid-river. I wonder what ever became of her? The last night I lived in Baton Rouge I rode the Louisiana back and forth with a girl named Virginia. I wonder what ever become of her?

- Phil