The Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry takes travelers on SH 87 between Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. The Galveston-Port bolivar ferry is a free 24 hour marine transportation system provided by the Texas Department of transportation. However, this ferry system is not the first to carry people and vehicles across the entrance to Galveston Bay. An official ferry service was not started until the railroads needed a method to move freight between the two points. The first ferries were essentially large barges that could accommodate entire trains including freight and passenger cars. The Gulf and Interstate Railway completed a line between Port bolivar in Beaumont in 1896 and used barges to cross Bolivar Roads completing the railroads link to Galveston. In the early 1900s, the ferries would accommodate train, walk on and, eventually vehicular traffic. The ferry system has been expanded and improved throughout its lifetime, with new and improved ferry vessels and ferry landings. The Bolivar Ferry is also considered one of Galveston‘s most popular free tourist attractions crossing through one of the busiest ship channels in the nation!For more from Galveston Unscripted or to deep dive into Galveston history: visitgalveston.comGalveston Unscripted What is Galveston Unscripted?Follow Galveston Unscripted on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! More history content on Visit Galveston!