Claude C. Howard Papers, 1900-1992 | Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

By Caitlyn Rahschulte

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Collection Overview

Title: Claude C. Howard Papers, 1900-1992

Predominant Dates:1968-1992

Extent: 8.0 Folders

Date Acquired: 05/11/1995

Subjects: Ferries, Valley View (Madison County, Kentucky)

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Claude C. Howard Collection provides an extensive history on the Valley View ferry. The ferry is Kentucky's oldest continuous business, and has run from 1780 to present. The collection has photographs of Valley View and the ferry from the early 1900s to the 1970s. Enclosed are letters and legal documents about the ferry, including deeds and lawsuits. Mr. Howard purchased the ferry in 1950 and operated it himself until 1963. He leased it to other operators until 1991 when the Fayette, Jessamine and Madison County governments jointly purchased the ferry. During their ownership the Howards also collected newspaper articles, advertisements, and pamphlets on the ferry. For over 230 years, the Valley View ferry has carried thousands of people over the Kentucky River. It is still a cherished historic, and functioning, landmark of Kentucky.

Collection Historical Note

The Valley View Ferry is Kentucky's longest running business having been founded in 1780 by the Virginia Legislature. Over the years there have been several boats and owners. Claude C. Howard who grew up near the ferry purchased it in 1950 and operated it himself until 1963. He leased it to other operators until 1991 when the Fayette, Jessamine and Madison County governments jointly purchased the ferry. Today it is being operated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Subject/Index Terms

Ferries
Valley View (Madison County, Kentucky)

Administrative Information

Repository: Eastern Kentucky University - Special Collections and Archives

Acquisition Source: Howard, Mabel

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Folder:

[Folder 1: Correspondence],
[Folder 2: Legal Documents],
[Folder 3: Maps and Surveys],
[Folder 4: News Clippings],
[Folder 5: Photographs],
[Folder 6: Promotional Materials],
[Folder 7: Oversized Photographs],
[Folder 8: Blueprints],
[All]

Folder 1: Correspondence

Barcode: 31234013928518

Item 1: Shumate, Shumate, and Flaherty: Valley View Ferry Privileges, June 28, 1968: Discusses court history of Valley View ferry.
Item 2: Kentucky Historical Society Letter 1, August 4, 1970: Discussion of placing Historical Highway Marker related to Valley View Ferry between Director George M. Chinn and Mr. C. C. Howard
Item 3: Kentucky Historical Society Letter 2, September 18, 1970: Redraft of Highway Marker proposal
Item 4: Kentucky Historical Society Letter 3, March 25, 1971: Suggested outline of program for dedication of Highway Marker
Item 5: Lynn Rakoczy Incident and Lawsuit (Correspondence), May 7-August 19, 1975: Hallmark Insurance Company (representing Valley View Ferry Company Inc.), Notestine and Trotter (representing Lynn Rakoczy and Crawford and Associates, Inc.)
Item 6: Dept. of Transportation: US Coast Guard, August 27, 1982: Request granted for extension of dry docking date
Item 7: WKYT-TV Thank You Letter, February 14, 1983: Letter from John T. Rullwein(?) to Claude (Howard?)

Folder 2: Legal Documents

Barcode: 31234013928526

Item 1: An Act Concerning the Creation of the District of Kentucky into an Independent State, ca. 1792
Item 2: David Baker Court Order (photo copy), Oct. 1811-May 1817: Court order that David Baker established ferry at Tates Creek across Kentucky River
Item 3: Kentucky Dept. of Highways; Ch. 280: Private Toll Bridges and Ferries: Chapter of law discussing private toll bridges and ferries
Item 4: Deposit/Contract draft (photo copy), ca. 1978
Item 5: Jesse and Eldean White Mortgage and Deed, 1977-1978: Mortgage for $12,000.00 for Valley View ferry land
Item 6: General Change Endorsement, June 14, 1988: Insurance document for C.C. Howard "Valley View" Ferry Co., Inc.

Folder 3: Maps and Surveys

Includes copies of maps of the area including Lexington, Richmond and Nicholasville and partial plats showing lots and streets of Valley View.

Barcode: 31234013928534

Folder 4: News Clippings

Barcode: 31234013928542

Item 1: Hero Revealed by a Tragedy, 24 Dec 1926: Huston Cuzick, Ferry Employee, saves Herschel Goins from drowning
Item 2: Across the River--On a Ferry, 30 Aug 1953: Early look-back on Valley View ferry
Item 3: Last Remaining Ferry on the Kentucky River Connects Fayette and Madison at Valley View, 01 Feb 1969: Story from Co-Op Chats on how ferry runs.
Item 4: Valley View Ferry: Kentucky's Oldest Continuous Business, ca. 1971: Quick history of ferry owners from 1780-1950.
Item 5: Valley View Marker Dedicated, 10 Jun 1971: Valley View ferry given Historic Highway Marker
Item 6: Valley View Once Booming Sawmill Community, 20 Sep 1972: Article focuses on Valley View history from mid 1800s to 1900.
Item 7: Rollin' on the River, 19 Oct 1972: Feature article on Valley View ferry
Item 8: The oldest continuous business on record in Kentucky still in operation, 20 Mar 1974
Item 9: Kentucky's Oldest Continuous Business, Ferry, Is For Sale, 05 Jul 1977
Item 10: Ferry in the snow, 15 Jan 1981: Newspaper photograph with description
Item 11: Pilots carry on ferry tradition, 28 Apr 1982: Feature article and photographs of Valley View ferry
Item 12: 1985 is the bicentennial year for the Valley View Ferry, 06 Apr 1985
Item 13: Valley View Ferry (Looking Back), ca. 1987: Updated history article, spanning ferry history from 1780 to late 1980s
Item 14: Where the Road Runs Out, ca. July 1988: Short feature article, featuring ferry operator James Mays, Jr.
Item 15: Valley View Ferry up for sale, 20 Apr 1989
Item 16: Ferry crosses back into history, 05 Jul 1989: Feature article and photographs of Valley View Ferry
Item 17: The Valley View Ferry wasn, 29 Dec 1989: Newspaper photograph with description of ferry when Kentucky River froze.
Item 18: Counties may buy oldest Ky. Business, 03 Oct 1990
Item 19: 3 counties may soon put ferry back in business, 04 Jan 1991: Continuing story of counties surrounding Valley View hoping to put ferry back in business
Item 20: Valley View ferry to open, 25 Jul 1991
Item 21: Official opening, 29 Jul 1991: Newspaper photograph with description of ribbon cutting at ferry's reopening.
Item 22: Locks opening today: Ky. Trying to settle suit against Corps, 22 May 1992: Article depicting how locks and dams effect Kentucky River business and life.
Item 23: Ticket to ride, ca. 1990: Taxpayers shore up useful, historic Valley View ferry. Transportation and tourism significance discussed.
Item 24: Valley View ferry is set to sail again, 12 Mar 2001: Carl Hall takes on ferry business.

Folder 5: Photographs

Barcode: 31234013928559

Item 1: Blow Horn Ring Bell For Ferry, ca. 1970: Valley View ferry with open/close sign and Ferry Toll
Item 2: The Southern Lumber Company, ca.1900: Lumber company on Kentucky River. (see oversize materials for the original)
Item 3: The Southern Lumber Company, ca.1900: Lumber company on Kentucky River, different side of mill. (see oversize materials for the original)
Item 4: Valley View Ferry, ca. 1970: Valley View ferry gangplank.
Item 5: Kentucky River from the Ferry, ca. 1970: Showing the Riney-B bridge supports.
Item 6: Ferry Ahead, ca. 1970: Approach to Valley View ferry.
Item 7: Barn at Valley View, ca. 1970
Item 8: Kentucky River and Bottom Lands, ca. 1970
Item 9: Pasture near Valley View, ca. 1970
Item 10: Farm near Valley View, ca. 1970
Item 11: Farm near Valley View, ca. 1970

Folder 6: Promotional Materials

Barcode: 31234013928567

Item 1: Information Guide and Map to Valley View Ferry, ca. 1960: Bi-fold pamphlet
Item 2: Valley View Ferry, ca. 1971: Tri-fold pamphlet detailing history and marker dedication.
Item 3: Business and Land Development Opportunity, ca. 1970: Flyer advertisement. Ferry and land surrounding is for sale.

Folder 7: Oversized Photographs

Barcode: 31234013928575

Item 2: The Southern Lumber Company, ca.1900: Sawmill on Kentucky River.
Item 3: The Southern Lumber Company, ca.1900: Sawmill on Kentucky River, different side of mill.

Folder 8: Blueprints

Barcode: 31234013928583

Item 1: Trailer Camp Court Plan, 1974: Plan for a campground at Valley View.
Item 2: Ferry Hull, 1945: Blueprints by Jeffersonville Boat & Machine Co., Inc.