Brookhill Ferry Shipwreck Site in Baton Rouge Revisited

 Last October I visited the site of the Brookhill Ferry shipwreck site on the banks of the Mississippi River just off downtown Baton Rouge. At the time the water level of the river was at a all-time low and the site of the wreckage had been exposed for the first time in many years. The site drew a lot of visitors wanting get a look and unfortunately steal pieces of the old ship as souvenirs. Eventually the water level rose and the wreckage disappeared back into the murky Mississippi.

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Yesterday I decided to revisit the site when I learned that the river had subsided enough to expose the shipwreck once again. What I discovered on my return was rather depressing to say the least. What remains of the Brookhill Ferry is now filled with thick mud and is quickly being consumed by vegetation. That of course would seem to be a natural progression of the state of the site due to its close proximity to the river. 

That actually wasn't the true source of my angst however.

What got my goat was the nearby sign that stated that there were no plans to extract and preserve the old Brookhill Ferry for future generations to view and learn more about. 

So it seems that the state of Louisiana is perfectly content to let another piece of its history simply rot and vanish into the vegetation without lifting a finger. I have to say that sadly stuff like this goes on around here all the time. Just recently I learned that an old steam locomotive that was once on display across from the Old State Capitol that had been abandoned in Tioga for years left the state to restored in Ohio. You can only assume from these actions, or in this case lack of action, that the state of Louisiana doesn't give a crap about its historical artifacts. 

They will waste millions to restore wetlands but not a penny for preserving anything historical!

What can be seen today is one of the two pontoon-like boats that formed the bottom of the ferry. There was a flat deck on top for transporting goods and passengers. The boiler for the ferry can be seen in the mud just a few yards north of the main wreckage.

The Brookhill Ferry was reportedly sunk during a violent storm on the Mississippi River in June of 1906. 

If you want to see this interesting site I suggest you do it soon because I feel that a year from now you probably won't be able to find it.

UPDATE: People are asking how to find the site so here are some simple directions: There is a parking lot on the river side across from the capitol building complex. Park on the far south end. Cross the railroad tracks and down at the end of the treeline is a narrow path through the weeds that leads directly to it.

Here are my photos:

Check Out:

Louisiana Through My Lens - Brookhill Ferry Shipwreck Site in Baton Rouge

The now exposed wreckage is believed to be of the Brookhill Ferry that used to transport people and horse-drawn carriages across the Mississippi River in the late 1800s and early 1900s before any bridge in the area ever existed. According to newspaper records the ship went down in a severe storm way back in June of 1906. - READ MORE

Louisiana Through My Lens - Why is there a Cannon embedded in a Baton Rouge Sidewalk?

Anyone walking down 3rd Street in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana may (or may not) notice a strange cylindrical metal object sticking out of the sidewalk. The object is rather obscure and one would be lead to believe that it my be some sort of old sewer pipe or something like that. Most people that pass by this object and generally don't give it a second thought. - READ MORE

Beautiful Louisiana - A Rainy Day Walk Through Downtown Baton Rouge

Directly across the street was the picturesque First Presbyterian Church and in-between was a lovely tree-lined green belt walking path. I ventured onto the path and began my walk westward toward the Mississippi River. Almost immediately I can upon the beautiful white house and property that once served as the original Louisiana Governor's Mansion. Further down the way - READ MORE