t was a few miles north of Silsbee on Village Creek

t was a few miles north of Silsbee on Village Creek. It was heavily wooded and there were several buildings, a playground and access to the creek.

The creek access was down a steep metal staircase (probably fabricated at the refinery). At the foot of the staircase there was a ferry to cross the creek. The ferry was also homemade and was based on a pair of floats on each side. The floats were based on a a pair of sealed 55 gallon drums welded together end to end. There was a platform atop the drums with a railing around the whole thing. A cable went from the ladder to a mooring on the opposite shore and passed through a couple of rings on the top of the railing on one side of the ferry. The creek was probably on the order of 50 feet wide at this area and this area was at a bend in the creek.

So, to operate the ferry, we would load up. Someone would then use the cable to pull the ferry across to the opposite side. Occasionally, someone had to swim the creek to retrieve the ferry. I recall being given this honor off and on.