What a better time to be outside in Oregon, enjoying the clean waters of the Willamette River and the abundance of wildlife and vegetation. Join the Rotary Club of Salem Creekside this fall as we clean up Halls Ferry State Park, on River Road past Illahe. A wonderful time to relax with friends and nature. 
Halls Ferry operated in Oregon Country, Oregon Territory and the state of Oregon. The ferry allowed people to cross the Willamette River, in order to transport goods, move people and further communications until permanent bridges were built to allow faster crossing of the waters. The early ferries were used by wagons and pedestrians, while later ones transported trains and then automobiles. Oregon has a few automobile ferries still in operation. Halls Ferry operated beginning in 1868 about six miles south of Salem. Halls Ferry Road still exists today. The ferry was started by Isaac Leabo, who sold it to Benjamin Franklin Hall either in 1882 or 1884, when it became known as Halls Ferry. B.F. Hall’s father, Reason B. Hall was the founder of the Buena Vista Ferry in 1852, which still operates. Halls Ferry changed hands twice and was subsequently renamed, first to “Croisan’s Ferry” and later to Pettyjohn’s Ferry. It is not certain when the ferry ceased operations. At the same locale was “Halls Ferry” railroad station. The original land has become Halls Ferry State Park and has been adopted by Creekside Rotary. Every year Rotarians maintain the trails, build steps, repair signs, clean the water front and general maintenance.