In the summer of 1880, George Starrh, a placer miner, established a ferry 4 miles west of the present city of Burley. Rich mineral mines had been discovered in the Wood River country, and freight was hauled between the mines and Kelton, Utah, the nearest railroad. Wagons crossed the Snake River on this ferry, which was operated by cable and horse power. Later, Thomas Starrh bought the ferry from his brother and operated it until 1905, when the railroad came to Buhl, Idaho.