Postal History Corner: North Bend Aerial Ferry

From 1940 to 1986,the only aerial automobile ferry in North America, the North Bend -Boston Bar Aerial Car Ferry, operated between the communities of North Bend and Boston Bar located on opposite sides of the Fraser River in the British Columbia Fraser Canyon region.

Satellite view of North Bend and Boston Bar with Cog Harrington Bridge spanning the Fraser River

Prior to 1940, the only way to get directly from Boston Bar to North Bend was to cross the Fraser River by boat. The North Bend Aerial Ferry was opened in March, 1940, to transport vehicles and people more conveniently

A gondola car capable of holding a single motor vehicle or 40 passengers was carried on two steel cables 1200 feet across the river. In its years of operation from 1940 to 1986, the North Bend Aerial Ferry carried 2,037,579 vehicles, 6,092,434 people and made 1,610,789 round trips. In 1986 the Cog Harrington Bridge replaced the Aerial Ferry because of increasing timber volumes and a higher demand for faster transportation.

Cog Harrington Bridge spanning the Fraser River

Although the Aerial ferry is no longer in operation, the gondola has been restored and is on display along the Trans-Canada highway in downtown Boston Bar.

Restored Aerial Ferry

North Bend

North Bend was founded during the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1880s and was the site of various Canadian Pacific Railway company offices and housing. The town prospered until the era of highway travel, when it became isolated, connected to the Trans-Canada Highway only by the aerial cable ferry.

A.A. Carlson

Almar Carlson operated general stores in North Bend and Boston Bar. His business stationery featured a lovely cachet of the aerial ferry.

1947