Woodland Ferry facts for kids
Woodland Ferry vessel, the Tina Fallon, May 2009; Cannon Hall to the right in background
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| Locale | West of Seaford, Delaware |
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| Waterway | Nanticoke River |
| Transit type | Passenger and automobile cable ferry |
| Owner | |
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Cannon's Ferry
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Cannon Hall, HABS Photo, May 1960
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 Location in Delaware
Location in the United States
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| Location | Across the Nanticoke River, Woodland, Delaware |
| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | c. 1810 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000561 |
| Added to NRHP | July 2, 1973 |
| Operator | Delaware Department of Transportation |
| Began operation | 1740s |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of terminals | 2 |
The Woodland Ferry, also known as Cannon's Ferry, is a special type of boat called a cable ferry. It is found in western Sussex County, Delaware. This ferry crosses the Nanticoke River near Woodland, Delaware, which is west of the city of Seaford. The Delaware Department of Transportation runs the ferry all year long. It closes on major holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Day. It also closes when the weather is too bad to operate safely.
Contents
History of the Woodland Ferry
The Woodland Ferry is one of the oldest ferries in the United States. It has been running non-stop for a very long time. It started operating in the 1740s.
Who Started the Ferry?
A person named James Cannon first started the ferry in the 1740s. After James passed away, his son Jacob took over running it. When Jacob died in 1793, his wife asked the Delaware General Assembly (Delaware's law-making group) for special permission. She wanted to be the only one allowed to run a ferry service across the river there.
From Family to State Control
The Cannon family ran the ferry as a private business until the mid-1800s. Then, the General Assembly decided that the county should run a free ferry at "Cannon's Ferry." This meant people would not have to pay to cross. In 1935, the Delaware Department of Transportation took over the ferry. They have been running it ever since, even today.
Cannon's Ferry: A Historic Place
Cannon's Ferry is more than just a ferry; it is also a historic home. Both the home and the cable ferry were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means they are important parts of history.
Cannon Hall: A Historic Home
The historic home is called Cannon Hall. It was built around 1810. It is a two-story house with a classic Georgian style. It has a small wing attached to one side. The house has a central hallway and chimneys inside. The land around the house also includes the spot where the ferry docks. The ferry has been crossing the river here since at least 1793, and maybe even longer. It is the last cable ferry still running in Delaware.
Meet the Tina Fallon Ferry Boat
The current boat used for the Woodland Ferry is named the Tina Fallon. It is 65 feet long.
When the Tina Fallon Started Service
The Tina Fallon started carrying people and cars in 2007. It replaced an older boat called the Virginia C. The Virginia C was also 65 feet long and could carry up to three vehicles at a time. It was sold in 2008.
Building the New Ferry Boat
The Tina Fallon was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. It cost $931,000 to build. This new ferry can carry six vehicles at once. The total cost for the whole project was about $3.2 million. This included the cost of the ferry, $1.8 million for new docks, and $500,000 for permits, security cameras, and lights. The new ferry was named after Tina Fallon. She was a state representative from Seaford who served Delaware for a long time.
Woodland Ferry Festival
Every September, a special event called the Woodland Ferry Festival takes place in Seaford. This festival celebrates the ferry and how important it is to the local community and its history.
