.
By Caitlyn Rahschulte
Collection Overview
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
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?)
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]
