[Tennessee Star] White’s Ferry has been carrying goods and passengers across the Potomac River for over 200 years, but on Monday the operators announced that they have stopped their operations after the Loudoun County Circuit Court ruled that the ferry business does not have right to use the river landing on the Virginia side of the river.200 years should constitute adverse possession.
In a press release, White’s Ferry announced, "The Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia has ruled, in the case of Rockland Farm, LLC, et al. v. White’s Ferry, Inc., that no public landing exists on the Virginia shoreline at White’s Ferry Road and the ferry is prohibited from landing at that location in Virginia. As of the date of this press release Loudoun County, Virginia has declined to establish a public landing at that location."
White’s Ferry said a store operating on its own property would remain open.
The White’s Ferry announcement surprised many across the region. Loudoun County Supervisor Caleb Kershner said, "I am extremely disappointed in the shutdown of White’s Ferry as a result of the court decision in Rockland Farm, LLC, et al. v. White’s Ferry, Inc, which found that White’s Ferry is trespassing on Rockland Farm’s property."
Kershner said the ferry was a vital regional transportation link that saw over 600 cars a day between Montgomery County, Maryland, and Loudoun County, Virginia. He also called for a bridge to be built to service the area. "This historic landmark has been home to a ferry service since 1786 and should continue to serve Virginia and Maryland citizens," he said in a press release.
Loudoun County Public Affairs Officer Glen Barbour said the problems of the ferry and a potential bridge have a complicated history. "The issue of a second bridge over the Potomac River is a complete separate issue that Loudoun’s leaders have been discussing for many years. In 2017, the Board of Supervisors. The County expressed support for investigating the possibilities," Barbour said. "Construction of a bridge is a complex issue that would require cooperation between Maryland and Virginia as well as any impacted property owners."