Rocky Hill - Ferry
Rocky Hill / Glastonbury Ferry
| Location: | Rocky Hill |
| Map: | Click here |
| Park at: | In the Rocky Hill Ferry parking lot |
| Meet: | In the parking lot |
| Human Items: | $2 (round trip ferry cost) Suitable walking shoes Camera (optional) Water |
| Canine Items: | Water Poop Bags |
| Practice: | Leave It Loose Leash Heel Proper Greetings |
Walk around the parking area / picnic area on both sides of the ferry. The dogs should properly greet people as well as leave all food, ducks and geese included! On the Glastonbury side, walk along the road with the dogs in heel position. You'll come to several horse farms where hopefully the dogs will have an opportunity to watch the horses romping in the fields from a distance ... they may even see some horses walking along the road.
The nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service crosses the Connecticut River between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.
The original ferry, which dates back to 1655, was a small raft pushed across the river using long poles. Under State charter, the ferry service was operated by local families throughout most of its existence. The ferry service was such a vital transportation link within the region that crossing would cease only during the most adverse conditions.
When river flood levels escalated, the ferry would use alternate landings such as the old coal dock in South Glastonbury, or the ferry operator would skid the craft across inundated meadows to an old dock near Tryon Street. Today the ferry is temporarily closed if the river reaches flood stage.
At one time, a horse on a treadmill in the center of the craft supplied the power to propel the craft across the river. In 1876, the ferry was "modernized" into a steam driven craft. Today's craft is an open flatboat named the "Hollister III". The three-car barge is towed back and forth by the "Cumberland," a diesel powered towboat. The ferry provides a convenient, direct link between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury at Route 160.
The nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service crosses the Connecticut River between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury.
The original ferry, which dates back to 1655, was a small raft pushed across the river using long poles. Under State charter, the ferry service was operated by local families throughout most of its existence. The ferry service was such a vital transportation link within the region that crossing would cease only during the most adverse conditions.
When river flood levels escalated, the ferry would use alternate landings such as the old coal dock in South Glastonbury, or the ferry operator would skid the craft across inundated meadows to an old dock near Tryon Street. Today the ferry is temporarily closed if the river reaches flood stage.
At one time, a horse on a treadmill in the center of the craft supplied the power to propel the craft across the river. In 1876, the ferry was "modernized" into a steam driven craft. Today's craft is an open flatboat named the "Hollister III". The three-car barge is towed back and forth by the "Cumberland," a diesel powered towboat. The ferry provides a convenient, direct link between Rocky Hill and Glastonbury at Route 160.