[1] The Mayfield Dam, which supplies hydroelectricity to Tacoma and its neighboring cities, sits 1-mile west of the area.

Before the arrival of non-native settlers, the location was used as a village for Native American people.

[2] A post office for the territory was established in 1890 or 1891 and named Ferry, in recognition of Washington state's first governor.

[4][5][6] The original center of the town was vacated and razed, with homes relocated to the surrounding area, beginning in 1955 during the building of the Mayfield Dam.

The post office would be moved, but quickly close, in 1962 when the area was flooded over that year just as the dam neared completion; the old town is permanently underwater.