Did you know that the ferries operating at the Essex-Charlotte ferry crossing used to be operated by steam? Well, they did! Before major fossil fuels were used and became readily available our ferry was powered by steam. And before that? They had horse-power. That’s right, actual horses!
You can see the Essex-Charlotte Steam Ferry in the photo above that we found in a historic ferry brochure we’ve recently acquired.
This was long before Lake Champlain Transportation (LCT) controlled the ferries. This historic brochure claims the company was called Essex-Charlotte Steam Ferry, Inc. The president at the time was S.H. Sherman. Can anyone guess the date that this was published?
Front of Brochure
The front of this historic brochure claims that the Essex-Charlotte Steam Ferry travelling between Essex, NY, and Charlotte, VT, is the Gateway between Adirondack Mountains of New York, Green Mountains of Vermont, and White Mountains of New Hampshire.
The fare is also given on the front:
Cars up to 105-in. wheel base $1.50 (incl. driver)
Cars over 105-in. wheel base $2.00 (incl. driver)
Passengers 25c each — Trucks according to size and weight — Return trip same day at reduced rate.
Wow, those prices are low! Of course at the time they were probably a fair rate for the currency value.
Schedule (Brochure Interior)
This ferry has a schedule that is much different than what we are used to today!
Spring and Fall Schedule
From Saturday, May 21st to Friday, June 24th and from Sept. 26th to close of season.
Leave Essex Leave Charlotte
A.M. A.M.
Trip 1………..8:00 Trip 1………..8:30
Trip 2………..11:00 Trip 2………..11:30P.M. P.M.
Trip 3………..2:00 Trip 3………..2:30
Trip 4………..5:00 Trip 4………..5:30
There ferry was in operation much longer during the summer months. However, from the absence of a winter schedule in this brochure I’m assuming that this crossing may have been closed during the winter months. Ice can inhibit the Essex-Charlotte ferry even today!
Summer Schedule
Saturday, June 25th to Sunday Sept. 25th.
Leave Essex Leave Charlotte
A.M. A.M.
Trip 1………..7:30 Trip 1………..8:00
Trip 2………..8:30 Trip 2………..9:00
Trip 3………..10:00 Trip 3………..10:30
Trip 4………..11:00 Trip 4………..11:30P.M. P.M.
Trip 5………..1:15 Trip 5………..1:45
Trip 6………..2:30 Trip 6………..3:00
Trip 7………..4:00 Trip 7………..4:30
Trip 8………..6:00 Trip 8………..6:30
The back of this brochure states that the Essex-Charlotte Steam Ferry was represented in the “Automobile Blue Book.” The Standard Touring Guide of America.
Image Gallery
Check out this image gallery featuring all the sections of this historic brochure below!
Related articles
- Essex-Charlotte Ferry: Early Spring Schedule (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Brochure: Visit Essex on Lake Champlain (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- 1957 Ferry Brochure (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
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