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Chester-Hadlyme Ferry, Chester CT | |
| If you're driving along the Connecticut River, the most enjoyable way to get from Chester to Hadlyme is to take the old Chester-Hadlyme ferry. | ||
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For more than two centuries people have been crossing the broad Connecticut River by ferryboat between Chester and Hadlyme, Connecticut (map). The first ferry at the site was a private boat operated by Jonathan Warner of Chester, who started ferrying passengers across in 1769. In 1877 the town of Chester took over the ferry, making it a public utility. In 1917 the Connecticut Department of Transportation assumed operation. Cars and pedestrians travel at prices more antique than the fairly modern boat which makes the run. If it's still running when you arrive, the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry takes cars, bicycles and passengers across the river from April through November from 7 am to 6:45 pm on weekdays, 10:30 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. (There's no service on Thanksgiving Day.) Check with the Connecticut Department of Transportation to make sure the ferry is still operating. When the ferry is not operating (December through March), drive 5 miles (8 km) north to Haddam and cross the historic suspension bridge to East Haddam. Chester-Hadlyme Ferry
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The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry at
its
Chester terminus,
as seen from Gillette
Castle across the Connecticut
River in Hadlyme CT.
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