The Millersburg Ferry
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The Susquehanna River bisects our state. One branch is known as the West Branch and flows East through Lock Haven and Williamsport, then South until it joins with the North Branch in Northumberland. The North Branch begins in New York state and flows South through Wilkes-Barre. The river then flows South and East to the Chesapeake Bay, draining an estimated 27,500 square miles of the state, an area larger than Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont and Delaware put together. The river is the longest non-navigable river in North America.

Two wooden-stern paddleboat ferries still operate on the Susquehanna River, the last of their kind in the country. Just as the cable cars are unique to American history in San Francisco, the ferryboats in Millersburg capture a forgotten part of American history and are a unique part of the transportation system of this country. The ferry is 67 miles from Benton via routes 11 and 15.
     

We'll take you for a quick little one-mile ride on the ferry, hoping that one day soon your trip to Harrisburg will be leisurely enough to include a ride across the very scenic river on a flat-bottom boat carrying up to four vehicles and 50 passengers. The Millersburg Ferry crosses the river between Millersburg on state Route 147 and two miles south of Liverpool on U.S. routes 11/15. The ferries run from 9 AM until dusk, Saturdays and Sundays from May to October, as water conditions allow.

The 1-mile crossing takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on river conditions, but it is possible that you will have to wait for a boat to come from the other side of the river so add a little extra time.

There are about 190 years of history to the ferry, too. Daniel and John Miller came north along the Susquehanna River in 1790, so the story goes, and Daniel was so taken with the beauty of where the Wiconisco Creek joined with the Susquehanna that he purchased 979 acres at the mouth of the creek. The town of Millersburg now occupies part of this spot. Today, Millersburg is a community of about 3,600 people located between Harrisburg and Sunbury.

The actual birth date of the Millersburg Ferry is disputed, but when Daniel Miller founded Millersburg in 1807, he reserved the shad fishery and ferry rights to himself. An unsigned agreement dated 1817 indicates that parties were negotiating for the use of the land as a ferry landing, and in 1820, Michael Crow was assessed for a farm, sawmill and ferry. Daniel Miller lost the ferry operation in 1826 at Sheriff's Sale and a succession of owners then took over.

In 1990, Community Banks, N.A. of Millersburg purchased the ferry and gave it to the Millersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber then formed the Millersburg Ferry Boat Association, a board of nine members who oversee the seasonal operation of the two ferries.

Captain Don Lebo was piloting the boat the day that Chloe and Buster visited. Ferry pilots like Lebo in Central Pennsylvania are a rare breed. He was trained by the U.S. Coast Guard for one year in order to get the job. Now the ferry association has federal approval to train ferry pilots in Millersburg. Ferry pilots undergo eight days of classroom instruction and will work several months as apprentices, learning the unique skills of maneuvering these boats through the water.

• Ferry service is available from May through September.
• Ferry runs weekends only, including holidays, until June and daily during the summer.
• The ferry connects Millersburg with an adjacent landing in Perry County on Routes 11 and 15, approximately 2 miles south of Liverpool.


The Landing Sites are included in the PA State Historic Marker Program (indicated by the familiar blue and gold signs).

A one-way "walk on passenger" pays $2. for the ride. A automobile pays $6.00, which includes the driver's fee.
   
Buster and Chloe investigate the Ferry
   
   

 
One day soon experience the Millersburg Ferry and enjoy a ride into the past!