The Ferry Sam Roberts connected Elizabeth with West Elizabeth; thus, the town across the river in the photo above is one of these.  I am guessing we are looking at Elizabeth circa 1880. JW wrote on the back of this picture that the SAM ROBERTS was the last boat built on the upper yard which is confirmed by R.T. Wiley in his book Elizabeth and Her Neighbors, Wiley wrote that the ferry was the last wooden hull built at the Elizabeth Upper Yard. JW also wrote that he was on her when she launched, in 1871 to 1875. Below is a bill of sales for materials used in the construction of the Sam Roberts, which is dated Dec. 1873, indicating the boat probably launched some time in 1874.

The ferry continued to operate until the opening of the bridge across the Monongahela River, which connected Elizabeth and West Elizabeth on November 14,1893.