End of an Era: Historic U.S.-Canada Ferry Shuts Down

For over two centuries, the Horne Ferry has quietly chugged across the St. Lawrence River, connecting the village of Cape Vincent, New York, with Wolfe Island, Ontario. This unassuming vessel wasn’t just a mode of transport—it was the last family-owned international border crossing in North America and a living piece of history . Now, that chapter has closed.

In June 2025, the Horne family announced the permanent closure of their ferry service and put the entire operation—including the ferry itself and the docks on both sides of the border—up for sale . The reason? Simply put, there was no one left to take the helm. For want of a ferryman, a 223-year-old link between the U.S. and Canada has been severed.

A Legacy on the St. Lawrence

The Horne family’s stewardship of the crossing dates back to 1802, making it one of the oldest continuously operating international transport links on the continent . Generations of the family have piloted the ferry, providing a vital, if modest, connection for residents, tourists, and local commerce.

The ferry was more than a convenience; it was a symbol of the unique, intertwined lives of border communities. Its closure marks not just a logistical shift but the end of an era defined by personal, family-run diplomacy on the water.

⚓ Horne Ferry at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Years in Operation	1802 – 2025 (223 years)
Route	Cape Vincent, NY ↔ Wolfe Island, ON
Ownership	Horne Family (last family-owned international border crossing)
Status	Permanently closed; assets for sale
Reason for Closure	No successor to operate the service

The Ripple Effect on Border Life

For the few hundred residents of Wolfe Island and the town of Cape Vincent, the closure means more than just a longer drive. The ferry provided a direct, 10-minute link that bypassed a 100-mile detour through the Thousand Islands Bridge.

The impact on these tight-knit communities is both practical and emotional:

Increased Travel Time: A simple trip to the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment now requires a two-hour round trip.
Economic Disruption: Local businesses on both sides that relied on cross-border foot traffic are bracing for a decline in customers.
Cultural Loss: The ferry was a shared community space, a place where neighbors from two nations would exchange news and stories.

Research on border closures shows that even small-scale disruptions can have outsized effects on the social and economic fabric of these unique communities, often leading to a sense of isolation and fragmentation .

What’s Next for the Crossing?

There is a glimmer of hope. In July 2025, the town of Cape Vincent moved to purchase the U.S. dock, with the mayor expressing hope that the ferry service could one day be revived under new management . However, the future of the operation remains uncertain, as the ferry itself and the Canadian dock are still on the market .

🔄 The Future of the Horne Ferry Crossing

✅ Step 1: Town of Cape Vincent acquires the U.S. dock (completed).
⏳ Step 2: Find a buyer/operator for the ferry vessel.
🤝 Step 3: Negotiate purchase or lease of the Canadian dock on Wolfe Island.
🛃 Step 4: Secure new international operating permits from U.S. and Canadian authorities.
🚤 Step 5: Relaunch service (timeline: unknown).

For a deeper look at how infrastructure shapes international relations, explore our feature on the hidden diplomacy of cross-border infrastructure.

While the Horne Ferry’s engine has fallen silent, its story serves as a poignant reminder of the human connections that exist in the quiet spaces between nations.