January 8, 1840 – The Iowa Territorial Legislative Assembly empowers county commissioners to grant ferry licenses.
In 1840, competition in the flatbed ferry business in Iowa City was starting to stir. On March 6, 1840, Andrew D. Stephen was granted a license to keep a ferry boat at the point where the “National Road” crossed the Iowa River. According to a map of Iowa City, published in 1839 (see above), this crossing point was where the present-day Iowa Avenue bridge stands. But Mr. Stephens failed to establish a ferry in due time, so the license was given over to John D. Able – October 13, 1840 – who established his ferry crossing there.
A Day-by-Day Calendar of Historical Events In Iowa, William J. Petersen, State Historical Society of Iowa, 1946, p 8
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