February 13, 1909 - New Horse Ferry

100 Years Ago Today: From The Rensselaer Eagle [NY 41 Rensselaer 93-32173].

NEW FERRY BOAT FOR USE IN UPPER RENSSELAER

MEN HAVE BEEN LOOKING OVER THE SITE AND MAY HAVE A NEW LINE THIS SUMMER

Upper Portion of the City Has Been Without a Horse Boat For Several Years - Fault Was Principally Due to a Poor Service

During the week a number of Albany men were in Upper Rensselaer looking over the old ferry slip at the foot of Central avenue and thereupon the rumor was started that they were inspecting the place with a view to running a horse boat from Central avenue across to North Ferry street, Albany, during the coming spring and summer.

Not for several years has there been a horse boat operated from Upper Rensselaer to Albany. Time there was not so very many years ago when the operation of the ferry was a paying enterprise but of late years the service got very bad and the farmers who used to drive down from Blooming Grove no longer took that route because when the did get to Upper Rensselaer it was ten chances to one that the boat was not running.

However every farmer who has occasion to go to Albany will welcome a horse boat that will permit him to drive to albany. The majority now drive to Upper Rensselaer, put up their team and go to Albany by the trolley or the local trains. However this is hardly possible when one has a load and then it has been the custom for several years back for many to ddrive to Troy because it was nearer than to go to Albany.

With the right business enterprise and a boat that could be depended on there is little reason why a line could not be made to pay. The farmers would much prefer to go to Albany than Troy and Albany merchants who now deliver in Rensselaer would much prefer to have their teams and autos sent over a ferry than to have them go down through the southern section of Albany and then across the bridge.

It is to be hoped that a boat will be established and run properly to the benefit of all concerned.