Community Corner
Picture CT: Historic River Crossings
The latest installment of the Picture Connecticut series takes us to the Connecticut River, where transportation history is made each year.
GLASTONBURY/ROCKY HILL, CT — Connecticut has the oldest ferry operation on the nation and this week, we pay it a visit on a round trip between Glastonbury and Rocky Hill.
The ferry traditionally starts running on April 1, but high water levels delayed the season for about a month. The season runs until the fall.
The Glastonbury-Rocky Hill Ferry is the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service. The original ferry dates back to 1655. Back then, it was privately operated under a state services agreement and pushed across the river using long poles.
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It was then powered by a horse on a treadmill in the center of the craft.
In 1876, state officials tell us, the ferry system was "modernized" with a steam-driven craft.
Today's vessel is a barge and tug.
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The ferry is the continuation of state Route 160 between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.
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Picture Connecticut is a weekly Patch series featuring unique images of the state, past and present.Previous featured images:
- The Old County Jailhouse, Tolland
- Agent Orange Monument, Andover
- The Sunken Garden, Farmington
- Lafayette Tour Monument, Vernon
- The Pinchot Sycamore, Simsbury
- Bob's Discount Furniture Studios, Manchester
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