Oldest U.S. ferry to be closed

ROCKY HILL, Conn. — A round of budget cuts in Connecticut is forcing the nation’s oldest operating ferry to close.

Historical archives say the Rocky Hill Ferry has been crossing the Connecticut River between the towns of Rocky Hill and Glastonbury continuously since 1655.

It is among two historic ferries that Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration has put on the chopping block to close a $1.6 billion budget gap.

Historical documents say the ferry began with pole-operated boats run by families from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The state took over its operation in 1915 and Connecticut archivists say it has been in service longer than any other ferry in the United States.

Residents are sad to see the ferry go, saying it’s a favorite summertime destination for locals and tourists.