Cook's Ferry was located on the Thompson River about a mile below the mouth of the Nicola. It was established in 1859-1861 by Mortimer Cook in partnership with Charles Kimball. Cook also kept a roadhouse and store at this spot. In 1863 the Government gave Thomas Spence a charter to build a bridge across the river near this site which he did. The first bridge was swept away by the spring run-off. The second bridge, completed in March 1865 lasted until 1894. It was a toll bridge until 1872. Over time the place name Spences Bridge replaced Cook's Ferry.

(Bridge, Kathryn, Henry and Self The Private Life of Sarah Crease 1862-1922, Victoria, British Columbia, Sono Nis Press, 1996 pg 131)

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