Wright's Ferry facts for kids
Wright's Ferry was an important settlement in the Pennsylvania Colony, started by John Wright in 1726. It grew around a busy inn and pub on the eastern side of the Susquehanna River. This spot was also home to a popular ferry service that ran from 1730 to 1901. Today, this historic area is part of Columbia, Pennsylvania.
The ferry was very important for people moving west into Pennsylvania. It was the first, and for many years, the only way to cross the wide Susquehanna River with goods and wagons. The river is very wide in southern Pennsylvania, and its banks were too steep for easy crossing with small boats.
As more settlers arrived, there were arguments over land ownership between the English colonies of Maryland and Pennsylvania. This happened because of unclear land grants and maps. Lord Baltimore of Maryland believed his land grant included this area, which conflicted with William Penn's charter for Pennsylvania.
To try and stop Pennsylvania settlers, Lord Baltimore used a man named Thomas Cresap. In the 1730s, this led to fights called Cresap's War. Cresap would force settlers off their land and give it to his own followers. This long border argument finally ended in 1767. The King ordered both colonies to accept the Mason–Dixon line as their new boundary.
The ferry was built in 1730 to move goods, animals, and people across the Susquehanna River. It connected what are now Lancaster and York counties. The ferry was especially helpful for new settlers wanting to live on the west side of the Susquehanna. Its location was just north of the Conejohela Flats islands, which are now covered by a lake from a dam.
The river became the dividing line between the two counties. Because of the ferry, towns grew on both sides: Columbia (first called Wright's Ferry) on the east, and Wrightsville on the west. In Columbia, the ferry landing was just south of where the Columbia-Wrightsville Veterans Memorial Bridge is today. The Lincoln Highway (Route 462) now runs through this area.
John Wright: The Founder of Wright's Ferry
John Wright was a Quaker who first visited the area in 1724. He came to explore the land and share his beliefs with the local Native Americans. In 1726, he moved his family to a spot near the river, starting a small settlement with his friends Robert Barber and Samuel Blunston.
In 1730, John Wright received official permission to run a ferry across the river. He developed this ferry service with the help of his two friends. Wright also built a ferry house and a tavern on the eastern side of the Susquehanna. The town then grew up around these buildings.
The old tavern has been saved and is now a historic site. It is located on Front Street, along the river, in present-day Columbia, Pennsylvania. John Wright, Jr. ran this two-story log tavern until 1834. When John Jr. got married, he moved to the western side of the river in York County. There, he built another ferry house and tavern in what later became Wrightsville.
Later, John Wright senior became involved in local government. He rented his original ferry to other people to operate, and eventually he sold it.
In 1729, John Wright asked William Penn’s son to create a new county. Because of this, the government took land from Chester County to create Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This became the fourth county in the Pennsylvania colony. People from the county, both Native Americans and colonists, often visited Wright’s home. They would go there to file papers, ask for government help, solve problems, and register land deeds. During this time, the town was known as “Wright’s Ferry.”
In 1738, John Wright's son, James Wright, built a nice house for his family. This house is now known as the Wright’s Ferry Mansion. It is the oldest house still standing in Columbia. You can still see this building at Second and Cherry Streets.
How the Ferry Operated
Traffic heading west from places like Lancaster and Philadelphia often passed through Wright's Ferry. They used the ferry to cross the river. As more people traveled, the ferry business grew. Wright used different types of boats, including canoes, rafts, and flatboats.
In the early 1800s, steamboats were developed that could handle the river. The flatboats were big enough to carry large vehicles like Conestoga wagons. Because so many people wanted to cross, wagons, goods, and people often had to wait for several days in the town. There could be 150 to 200 wagons lined up on the Columbia side. Ferry workers would use chalk to number the wagons so everyone knew their turn.
Ferry Costs
The first ferry used two dugout canoes, similar to those made by Native Americans. These canoes were tied together and could carry a carriage and wagon wheels. When moving many cattle, the ferryman would guide a lead animal into the water with a rope. The other cattle would then follow. However, if the lead animal got confused and swam in circles, the others would follow until they were too tired and could drown.
Over the years, the way things were transported improved. Eventually, there were boats big enough to carry even the heavy Conestoga wagons. These wagons were being built in Conestoga, Pennsylvania, on the west side of the river, during this time.
Here are some typical costs for the ferry:
- A coach with four passengers and five horses cost 9 shillings.
- A wagon pulled by four horses cost 3 shillings and 9 pence.
- A person and their horse cost 6 pence.
In 1787, the prices were lowered. This was because of competition from Anderson's Ferry, which was located further upriver near Marietta, Pennsylvania.
In later years, Wright rented the ferry to others and eventually sold it. By the late 1800s, there was more competition from railroads. A railroad bridge was also built over the Susquehanna. Because of these changes, the ferry finally stopped running in 1901. This led to less traffic and business in Columbia.
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