Ferry service existed in this area as early as 1837 when man-operated skiffs and flatboats took horses and their riders, carriages, carts, and cattle between Walnut Street and Westwego on the Old Spanish Trail. On this site in 1893, the Walnut Street Ferry, a pedestrian and vehicular ferry, connected Westwego with Audubon Park in New Orleans.

At the ferry landing was housed the Old Spanish Trail Inn, which later became the very popular Wego Inn On The Hill and Klaus's Restaurant, which operated opposite the Wego Inn.

The ferry landing was destroyed by the 1947 hurricane, and was not rebuilt. Ferry service ceased. The two businesses continued until the 1970s.

The area was purchased by the city in 1997 for the purpose of establishing a boat landing once again.