After the Army arrived and built Fort Yuma , the ferry was purchased by L. J. F. Jaeger and his partner from Johnson and his partners . Jaeger developed the ferry that could carry a wagon and team of horses between the California and Arizona shores . Jaeger later built a store and hotel on the north bank , in California , calling it Jaeger City . Across the river he owned a lot in Colorado City for the price of a ferrying its surveying party across the river . In 1858 the ferry became the crossing point of the Butterfield Overland Mail and Jaeger City became the location of its stage station and its local district office . In the Great Flood of 1862 , the ferry , Jaeger City and Colorado City were destroyed by the flooding of the Colorado River .
Great Flood of 1862
Great Flood of 1862
Jaeger's Ferry