Montgomery County is acquiring White’s Ferry – the centuries-old ferry between Maryland and Virginia that shut down in 2020 – with hopes of smoothing out a land dispute.
Ferry owner Chuck Kuhn donated the ferry and is selling its land to the county, describing it as a major step toward reopening.
“The only goal was to get the ferry opened,” Kuhn said. “We never were worried who owned it; we just wanted to make sure the ferry got back open for the community.”
In 2020, a Loudoun County judge ruled the Virginia side was private property and any boats and cars that landed on the farm there were trespassing.
“There are a lot of businesses that really suffered because of the loss of traffic of people either coming or going to the other side of the river,” Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said.
Without the ferry, it takes 45 minutes or longer to get around to the other side of the Potomac River.
“And being able to get over to Dulles would be nice,” Poolesville resident Katrina Riggs said.
The owner of the Virginia side, Rockland Farm, previously suggested a 50-cent fee for each car, but Kuhn said no. Montgomery County leaders say they believe now that they own the ferry, Virginia leaders will be more willing to negotiate.
“Having this ferry opened up again is vital for the people who live here, not just in Montgomery County, but also in Virginia,” Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani Gonzalez said.
But Montgomery County leaders say the last time they talked to the farm on the Virginia side was five months ago.
“We still have work to do, and as I turn and I face the Virginia shore, I say, ‘You’ve got work to do, too. Please work with our team. We’re willing and able to do it,’” Poolesville Town Commission President Jim Brown said.
Rockland Farm hasn’t responded to News4’s requests for comment.
Two members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors said they weren’t aware of any progress toward a deal.
Elrich said he’s not ruling out trying to use eminent domain as a last resort to seize the Virginia side of White’s Ferry. He acknowledged it likely would get held up in court.
