The Valley View Ferry

In 1785, seven years before Kentucky became a state, Virginia governor Patrick Henry issued a "perpetual and irrevocable" charter to Revolutionary War veteran, John Craig, to operate a ferry across the Kentucky River at the mouth of Tates Creek between what are now Madison, Jessamine and Fayette Counties. It is the last workboat in America legally entitled to fly two state flags at the same time. For 225 years, the ferry has been in operation under the private ownership of three successive families -- the Craigs, the Lands, and the Howards. It has transported pioneers, Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers, farmers, and business people. It has also transported Daniel Boone, Henry Clay, and U.S. Grant to the other side. It is the last ferry left on the Kentucky River.

In 1991, the ferry was purchased from the Howards by the Fayette, Jessamine, and Madison County governments and, today, jointly run it under the direction of an appointed board. It operates daily from 6 AM to 8PM on weekdays, and 8 AM to 8 PM on weekends. It is closed during times of high water and necessary maintenance or repair. It is the oldest continuously operating ferry service in the United States. The current vessel, named the "John Craig" replaced the previous vessel in 1996 after it sustained heavy damage after sinking under the weight of a heavy snowfall and then as a result of salvage efforts. In 2000, the ferry was lengthened by ten feet allowing it to increase its capacity to three cars. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet funds the ferry as a free service; it is part of S.R. 169. On average, the ferry transports 250 cars a day.

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, the ferry served a bustling society. The thriving industrial community of Valley View included blacksmith shops, general stores, sawmills, public school, railroad depot, telegraph office, post office, and weekly newspaper. The Southern Lumber Companyoperated a steam-powered three-story band-sawmill complete with its own electric light plant. During the 1920's, after the decrease in logging, and then the Depression of the 1930's, the lumber and railroad businesses failed. The peaceful hamlet became content with a slower pace. Today, the piers of the RIN & B Railroads (Richmond, Nicholasville, Irvine, and Beattyville), fondly referred to as the "Riney - B" by those who remember it, maintain a faithful sentinel over the pleasant valley, a reminder of a chapter in Kentucky history.