Today there is no evidence remaining of the Winterport ferry which served the community in the years before the advent of autos and the construction of the bridge over the Penobscot at Prospect. The earliest ferry was a dugout propelled by paddles. The Coulliard brothers lived on opposite sides of the river and together they operated the ferry, charging 12 cents one way. If anyone with a horse wanted to cross, the horse was forced to swim as he was towed behind the ferry. Later, when people wanted to get to Bucksport or Castine or Bangor, the ferry was the means of getting to the trains which operated on the east side of the river. One lady recalled taking the ferry in the 1890s and boarding the train to get to the school she attended in Bucksport. For many years the ferryman was James Curtis who “plied the oars” back and forth in all kinds of weather. He inspired his passengers with confidence that he would safely take them across the river. The era of the ferry is now only part of our history.
Contributed by: Teddy Wesron, Winterport Historical Society
Catalog Number LB2007.1.112741