In the mid1960s, the ferry was owned by Orville Albert. He was a local man of French and Indian heritage, born and raised in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois,. His mother, Mary (Pelate) spoke only French until she entered school. Orville was a business owner with an earth-moving company. Randy Albert used to pilot the ferry to Ste. Genevieve on Sunday afternoons in the late 1960s, although he never was licensed as a riverboat pilot. Randy was a locally famous musician and one of the bands he formed was called “Modoc Ferry.” He stole all the road signs leading to the ferry for the band.

Orville used to tell the story of a former owner of the ferry, name untold, who took a car across the Mississippi on one late afternoon, the last trip to Missouri before docking for the night. A man and his wife stayed in the car once on the ferry. Halfway across the river the man started the car, crashed through the chains and both drowned at the bottom of the Mississippi, leaving seven orphans. A suicide note was later found declaring his intent because he had discovered his wife had been unfaithful. 
source: The Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal

The Sainte Genevieve-Modoc ferry provides the only Mississippi River crossing between Chester and Columbia

The Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry is one of the last remaining ferries on the Mississippi River, with a history dating back to at least 1798. The ferry is crucial for connecting Ste. Genevieve, Missouri—the state’s oldest city—with southern Illinois, providing access to historic sites like Fort de Chartres and serving as a vital link for truckers, farmers, and cyclists. The ferry has a multi-faceted past, including transporting railroad cars in the mid-20th century before its operations resumed as a passenger ferry in 1997, offering a scenic and direct route across the river.

Early History and Development

1798:
The ferry’s continuous existence at the location can be traced back to this year through written records from the French colonial era. 

1904:
The Missouri-Illinois Railroad operated a “Sainte Genevieve” ferry, using a specific “cradle” system of rails and a ramp to transfer entire train cars across the river. 

1961:
The railroad ferry service ended when Missouri Pacific Railroad chose to route trains via their bridge at Thebes. 

Modern Operations

1997:
The current Ste. Genevieve-Modoc passenger ferry began operation, establishing itself as a vital connection for the communities on both sides of the river. 

2012:
Severe drought caused the Mississippi River to become too low, forcing the ferry to cease operations for over a year. 

2023:
The ferry resumed full operations after the low water levels from the drought had receded, once again offering a vital transportation link between Missouri and Illinois. 

Significance

Historical:
The Ste. Genevieve-Modoc Ferry is a living link to the region’s French colonial past and a piece of westward expansion history, with a legacy spanning over two centuries. 

Economic:
It serves as a crucial point of access for local farmers, truckers, and industries, reducing travel time significantly compared to crossing at other locations. 

Tourism:
The ferry is a popular route for tourists and cyclists, offering direct access to historic sites such as Fort de Chartres and the Pierre Menard Home, and it is a unique part of the local experience along the Great River Road