Hatton Ferry, a James River gem and last remaining poled ferry in the U.S. shut down operations permanently on July 1. The ferry has been in operation carrying vehicular traffic across the James River from near Scotsville to Buckingham County since the 1870’s. The Commonwealth of Virginia took over the ferryboat service in 1940; today the ferry is managed by VDOT, with aid from the Albemarle County Historical Society and Albemarle County, operating on a weekend schedule from April to October.
According to ferry operator Ashley Pillar, local children on field trips and people from across the country come to experience the crossing of America’s “First River” on the last poled ferryboat. Pillar steers the ferry using two cables, a winch, a stout pole and manpower instead of engine fuel. And hey — zero pollution. Closing this historic and truly efficient green ferry will save but $21,000 a year, while losing a priceless and irreplaceable Virginia landmark and recreation destination.
On this past Memorial Day Weekend, people had come to Hatton Ferry to ride the free flat-bottomed ferry hovering just a few inches above the water; also to swim, canoe and tube the river, cook out, picnic, and visit the small exhibit that tells the history of Hatton Ferry. To the passengers alarmed at the news of the ferry’s imminent demise, Pillar advised us to write the governor. “Once the ferry’s gone, it’s gone forever,” he said.
To save Hatton Ferry, visit the governor’s website at: www.governor.virginia.gov, click on Contact, complete the form, and submit a short comment protesting the closing of Hatton Ferry. Even better, accent the positive as well, in that the ferry is an eco-friendly, outdoors, historic, perfectly splendid way to cross the river and spend the day.