White's Ferry

[imref]

is no more after 200 years of operation.

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2020/12/whites-ferry-river-crossing-in-montgomery-co-ceases-operations-after-court-decision/

[DCFan]

I'm amazed that they could operate for over 200 years without owning the land or renting the space needed properly.

[imref]

I'm amazed that they could operate for over 200 years without owning the land or renting the space needed properly.

Or that it took 10 years to figure this out. 

[1995hoo]

I'm amazed that they could operate for over 200 years without owning the land or renting the space needed properly.

It's more complicated than that:

https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/107CL00056672-01PO-195_whitesferry.pdf

[GburgNatsFan]

Too bad. I take this crossing maybe once or twice a year, just for the experience (when I need to go to that part of VA).

is no more after 200 years of operation.

https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2020/12/whites-ferry-river-crossing-in-montgomery-co-ceases-operations-after-court-decision/

[DCFan]

Or that it took 10 years to figure this out. 

MASN.

[DCFan]

It's more complicated than that:

https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/107CL00056672-01PO-195_whitesferry.pdf

I'm retired so I don't have time to read court docs. 

[Five Banners]

Or that it took 10 years to figure this out. 

Yeah, you would’ve thought Montgomery and Loudoun County could’ve had a couple of phone calls at some point worked out something.

[Count Walewski]

That's a shame, I never got a chance to take it. I always thought I would one day, for the novelty.

[imref]

That's a shame, I never got a chance to take it. I always thought I would one day, for the novelty.

i heard on the news tonight that about 600 cars a day use it, seems that neither side of the potomac would be happy with the additional traffic on Route 15.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

My guess is it'll be back. Just the VA landowner wants to get paid.  They've offered to buy out the Ferry.  I suspect a small portion of the land that the Ferry encroaches on will get taken by VA or the County. They may want MoCo or MD to kick in. 

[Five Banners]

My guess is it'll be back. Just the VA landowner wants to get paid.  They've offered to buy out the Ferry.  I suspect a small portion of the land that the Ferry encroaches on will get taken by VA or the County. They may want MoCo or MD to kick in.

Exactly, which is why both counties could’ve moved in that direction long ago rather than potentially pointless years of litigation

[DCFan]

Exactly, which is why both counties could’ve moved in that direction long ago rather than potentially pointless years of litigation

As I recall Va sued Md when all they wanted to do was move a water intake pipe to a different location in the Potomac. The case went to the supreme court where he supremes agreed with Va.

[1995hoo]

As I recall Va sued Md when all they wanted to do was move a water intake pipe to a different location in the Potomac. The case went to the supreme court where he supremes agreed with Va.

That case originated in the Supreme Court via "original jurisdiction."

[DCFan]

That case originated in the Supreme Court via "original jurisdiction."

State v state. Kinda like a recent Texas case.

[Elvir Ovcina]

My guess is it'll be back. Just the VA landowner wants to get paid.  They've offered to buy out the Ferry.  I suspect a small portion of the land that the Ferry encroaches on will get taken by VA or the County. They may want MoCo or MD to kick in.

Both sides appear to be negotiating through lawyers and the courts, which is often the absolute worst way to do it.

[GburgNatsFan]

As I recall Va sued Md when all they wanted to do was move a water intake pipe to a different location in the Potomac. The case went to the supreme court where he supremes agreed with Va.

The Potomac (or the land that it flows on) are in Maryland, for what it's worth. The states are not divided down the middle of the river.

[DCFan]

The Potomac (or the land that it flows on) are in Maryland, for what it's worth. The states are not divided down the middle of the river.

Yep, the agreement concerning the Potomac goes back to the colonial days.

Edit - and it's why there were slots in Colonial Beach, VA. Because the casinos were on stilts in the Potomac which is in Md.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Bummer.  I used to take that ferry when doing a long weekend bike ride that required a crossing.  There always seemed to be Civil War reenactors on the boat, or perhaps the Civil War never ended out there? 

[imref]

Bummer.  I used to take that ferry when doing a long weekend bike ride that required a crossing.  There always seemed to be Civil War reenactors on the boat, or perhaps the Civil War never ended out there? 

Balls Bluff park isn’t too far away and was the site of a small battle. Great hiking spot too.

[Five Banners]

The Potomac (or the land that it flows on) are in Maryland, for what it's worth. The states are not divided down the middle of the river.

Interesting recent rulings:

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/18/maryland-virginia-renew-old-potomac-river-border-d/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The Potomac (or the land that it flows on) are in Maryland, for what it's worth. The states are not divided down the middle of the river.

so is Roosevelt Island in DC?  That's a natural island.  I'm guessing Lady Bird Johnson Island is VA, but the VA side of the Potomac is complex in the tidal area and I don't think the channel is natural.

[GburgNatsFan]

Doesn't look all that complex on Google Maps. Looks like they are all in DC.

so is Roosevelt Island in DC?  That's a natural island.  I'm guessing Lady Bird Johnson Island is VA, but the VA side of the Potomac is complex in the tidal area and I don't think the channel is natural.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Doesn't look all that complex on Google Maps. Looks like they are all in DC.

I'm surprised, but it looks clear.  I guess Gravelly Point is DC as well since it is on an island as well.  Just checked - for some reason, GP is in Arlington, VA and not DC.  I guess Roaches Run and the water behind it do not connect to the channel that creates Lady Bird Johnson Island.

[GburgNatsFan]

It's weird!

I'm surprised, but it looks clear.  I guess Gravelly Point is DC as well since it is on an island as well.  Just checked - for some reason, GP is in Arlington, VA and not DC.  I guess Roaches Run and the water behind it do not connect to the channel that creates Lady Bird Johnson Island.