Hampton’s Bear River Crossing
Ford was used by Indias, fur trappers and
moutain men. About 1853 Ben Hampton and WM.
Godbe operated a ferry for emigrant traffic.
The site became a “home station” success-
ively for stages for Oliver & Conover, Ben
Holladay, and Wells-Fargo. About 1866
Hampton, Godbe, Alvin Nichols, Sr. Mark
Bigler and others erected the toll bridge,
stage barns and rock hotel. The bridge was
acquired by Box Elder County in 1882. In 1904
this rails reached Malad and traffic through
here declined. The station remains one of
the best preserved of all stage stops in
the Old West.
Gold Spike & Box Elder Chapters
National Society
Sons of Utah Pioneers
Slaz 9/14/1957
