White's Ferry

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

White's Ferry was the last ferry operating service across the Potomac River. When it shut down in late 2020, the ferry had been operating since the 1780s. It ceased operations on December 28, 2020, due to an injunction that prevented using the land on the Virginia side where the ferry landed. The injunction was based on a ruling from earlier that year that ruled in favor of the Rockland Farm, the owners of the land on the Virginia side, that stated that the land where White's Ferry landed was private, not public land. As of early 2021, a new owner, Chuck Kuhn, plans to restart operation, and negotiate with Rockland Farm, however, no services have been resumed.

Images

Whites Ferry was a transport link between Montgomery County, MD and Loudoun County, VA

Whites Ferry ceased operations on December 28, 2020

Tire, Motor vehicle, Wheel, Road surface

Whites Ferry in 1921

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Reportedly, ferry service where Whites Ferry is today reaches back to the colonial era, however, this has not been definitely proven. The first real record of ferry service at Whites Ferry is in 1786, where a man named Conrod Myers operated a ferry. Myers is recorded as providing the proper license and bond money from 1786 through 1802. After 1802 through 1810, the license for "Conrods Ferry" was granted to George Bowling. In 1827, it was operated by Isaac Nicolas but still known as Conrods Ferry. A metal bridge was built over the Chesapeake and Ohio canal in 1876, replacing an earlier wooden bridge and culvert. The metal bridge stands today, although now replaced by White Ferry road. Over time, the name Conrods Ferry became corrupted into Conrads Ferry, and by the 1850 census, "Conrads Ferry" was ferried by James R Walker.

During the Civil War, Conrad's Ferry was occupied by Union soldiers, and throughout the war, the ferry was used multiple times. During Confederate General Jubal Early's march on Washington in 1864, some troops retreated back through Conrad's ferry. After the war, Elijah Veirs White set up a new ferry named White's Ferry. He moved freight, fertilizer, and seeds. After being poled across for many years, a new owner, Charles Ashely Williams installed a Ford Model T motor to power a barge across the river. Herbert Hoover crossed White's Ferry when he was president.

In 1942, the ferryboat that Williams had used was washed away in a severe storm and dashed against rocks. No replacement was made, as, during World War II, many materials were short on supply. A new ferry began regular service in April 1947, with old Army surplus pontoon boats. In 1954, the pontoon boat was replaced by the "General Jubal Early" barge. A new boat, with the same name, was introduced in 1988, which was used until White Ferrys ceased operation.

Sources

Friedell, Dan. White’s Ferry river crossing in Montgomery Co. ceases operations after court decision, WTOP. December 29th 2020. Accessed March 24th 2021. https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2020/12/whites-ferry-river-crossing-in-montgomery-co-ceases-operations-after-court-decision/.

Pollak, Suzanne. White's Ferry Ends 230+ Year Run Over Land Dispute, Montgomery County Media. December 31st 2020. Accessed March 24th 2021. https://www.mymcmedia.org/whites-ferry-ends-230-year-run-over-land-dispute/.

Furst, Camille. White's Ferry Purchased; New Owner Plans to Resume Operation, NBC4 Washington. February 21st 2021. Accessed March 24th 2021. https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/whites-ferry-purchased-new-owner-plans-to-resume-operation/2572880/.

Kephart, Mary Ann. White's Ferry. Montgomery County Story, vol. 44, no. 2. Published May 2001, https://mchdr.montgomeryhistory.org/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12366/280/mcs_v044_n2_2001_kephart.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y.