Glastonbury had a Coal Dock?

Horton's Farm

If you follow the river upstream from the ferry landing, through the pastures of the Horton and Packard Farms, you will stumble upon the site of Glastonbury's 19th century coal dock.

Coal Dock Site

While it is currently a peaceful jetty in the river, back in the day it was a bustling wharf. Glastonbury was a shipbuilding town. There were three major shipbuilders, and many supporting industries such as saw mills and foundries.

Old Well

The coal used to power the factories was brought by boat from the Connecticut River. Once unloaded onto the dock, horses were used to haul the coal to factories throughout the town. Just north of the dock are the remnants of a well that was used to water the animals.

The Great Meadows Conservation Trust periodically hosts walks out to the site. A schedule is available on their website at http://www.gmct.org/.

Still chuggin' after all these years...

Just off Main Street, past the acres of broad leaf tobacco and grazing horses is the town’s most idyllic icon – The Glastonbury Ferry.  Operating since 1655, it holds the distinction of being the longest operating ferry in the country.

With a three car capacity, and a four minute cross time, the ferry ushers cars and passengers across the Connecticut River between Glastonbury and Rocky Hill.  This might not be the fastest way to cross the river, but in my opinion, it is the best.

Riding the ferry is a special treat.  Approaching the ferry slip, you find yourself hoping that you are the forth car in line, thus having to wait for the next trip.  This gives you the extra time to fully enjoy the experience.   There is nothing like observing the operation from the riverbank; hearing the clang of the gate after the last car has boarded, watching the captain expertly reposition the tug boat, and listening to the moaning sounds of the pillions as the barge is pulled away from the slip – pure heaven.

Once on board, get out of your car, take a seat on the side of the boat, and be amazed by the raw beauty of the river.

As a kid, every ferry ride started with my dad reminding us that “you don’t have to go to Europe to have a good time”.  He was teaching us the importance of recognizing and appreciating all of the simple pleasures that life has to offer.

Because of the state’s economic crisis, the ferry is in danger of shutting down. While discussing this with a friend, she was embarrassed to admit that she has never been on the ferry. I was not only shocked, but sad. It just might be too late for her to experience this pure and simple pleasure.