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White s Ferry carried cars, bikes, and pedestrians from Loudoun County to Montgomery County in Maryland when it was operational. Now, the ferry s reopening has been delayed. (Photo courtesy of White s Ferry.)
LEESBURG, VA White s Ferry, a historic boat that used to take commuters from Virginia to Maryland, has delayed its reopening to early 2022, according to a news release from its operators. The operators, Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, said that the ferry has gain use rights in Virginia before restarting.
The ferry ceased operations in December 2020 and was purchased by the Kuhns in February. They originally planned to get the ferry operational by April 2021.
Following Legal Dispute, White’s Ferry Purchased by Virginia Businessman
Montgomery County’s historic White’s Ferry has a new owner who plans to resume service after it was shutdown last December over a legal dispute.
Chuck Kuhn, CEO of the Sterling-based company JK Moving Services, purchased the ferry with his wife, Stacy, according to a statement.
Kerri Cook, President of the Poolesville Town Commissioners, said residents are cautiously optimistic and happy to hear that the ferry may reopen.
White’s Ferry transported commuters across the Potomac River between Montgomery County, near Poolesville, and Loudoun County in Virginia since 1786. It closed late December 2020 following a court ruling that found there is no legally established public or private landing on Rockland Farm, the Virginia property where the ferry operates.
Negotiations under way to keep Whiteâs Ferry open
By Ayesha Khan
Hope may be on the way for Whiteâs Ferry after it abruptly shut down in December.
POOLESVILLE, Md. - After a legal dispute that shut down a centuries old ferry between Maryland and Virginia, a new buyer has stepped in to keep White’s Ferry open.
The Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia ruled back in late December, in the case of Rockland Farm, LLC, et al. v. White s Ferry, Inc., that no public landing exists on the Virginia shoreline at White s Ferry Road and the ferry is prohibited from landing at that location in Virginia.
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Matt Gontarchick is a government affairs and business development professional with a passion for all things DC area. A proud University of Maryland alumnus, Matt currently resides in Petworth. Despite being a tireless advocate for smart growth and public transit, Matt can still be seen on the weekends cruising around in his sweet 2007 Toyota Camry. Share
The Kuhns will be working with Peter Brown, the majority owner of Rockland Farm, to get the ferry up and running for nearly 800 daily users.
“White’s Ferry has provided an important and scenic transportation alternative to the swelling demands on our local roads,” Kuhn said. “We look forward to working with nearby landowners and local jurisdictions to make this viable for the region.”
The purchase includes the ferry, the store and the shore on which the ferry is operated. White’s Ferry operated since 1786 until in December 2020 when a Loudoun County judge ruled the ferry’s landing in Virginia is on private property.