b'In 1807, Daniel Miller founded Millersburg and reservedOriginally, boats were propelled across the river by man-FOGHORN FOCUS shad fishery and ferry rights to himself. While it is believedpower with ferrymen poling skiffs to carry passengers. In a ferry may have been running here as early as the 1750s, an1873, the first steam powered side wheel vessel was intro-unsigned lease dating from 1817 marks the official birthduced. Gasoline engines replaced steam power in the 1920s of the Millersburg Ferry, and it has been running continu- at which time the paddlewheels were moved to the sterns. ously ever since. The lease between Michael Crow, the soleIt was around this time the first editions of The Roaring owner of the ferry, and George Carson was slated to beginBull V and The Falcon III were built. The basic design, its terms on Sept. 1, 1817, establishing the date of operation.character, and nature of todays boats remain faithful to the vessels used during the 19th Century. Today the boats An 1816 sheriffs sale transferred Millers proprietary re- carry roughly 20,000 passengers a year along with vehicles serve and ferry rights to David Kramer who establishedranging from cars to motorcycles to horse and buggy. a ferry at Millersburg. As the community grew, the ferry evolved and over the years had several different ownersThe paddlewheels on the Millersburg Ferry vessels arent for and operators until 1971 when Robert Wallis became theshow but actually propel the boats. Its a significant point sole owner.and one which the association is very proud of. Its so cool. I dont even know what else to say except our boats are just Community Banks, N.A. of Millersburg purchased the fer- cool because its so unique, said Melanie Morrison the op-ry in 1990 and gave it to the Millersburg Area Chamber oferations manager at the Millersburg Ferry Boat Association.Commerce at which point the Millersburg Ferry Boat As-sociation was formed. With a board of nine members fromTheboatsbeginoperationaroundMemorialDayeach PHOTO: SARAH FERRETTIvarious community organizations, the association overseesyear and usually remain in the water, ferrying guests across the operation of the vessels and preserves their historic value.theriverthroughOctober.In2024,thoughthevessels The Millersburg Ferry was added to the National Registerhad ceased operations, they remained in the water until of Historic Places in 2006, and the landing sites are includ- December. Despite having a shallow draft, the river was ed in the Pennsylvania State Historic Marker Program.simply too low for the ships to be moved. People come from as far away as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to help launch and dry dock the ferries each season. While its a lot of work, anyone there would tell you its also a lot of fun. Even if its hard work, you can still have a good time, the operations manager said.FOGHORN 22'