You’re sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the I-75 bridge, staring at the brake lights of a semi-truck, wondering why on earth you thought this was a good idea. We’ve all been there. It’s that classic Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky struggle. But just a few miles down the river, there’s a guy named Paul Anderson who’s been running a boat that basically solves this whole headache. Most people call it the Anderson Ferry, but if you’re looking for the history or the land surrounding the terminals, you’re looking into the legacy of The Farm Anderson Ferry site.
It’s been around since 1817. Think about that for a second.
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When this ferry started, James Monroe was the President. There was no bridge. There were barely even roads. And yet, here it is in 2026, still kicking, still shuttling cars across the Ohio River between Constance, Kentucky, and the western side of Cincinnati. It’s one of those rare things that hasn't been "disrupted" by an app or ruined by corporate expansion. It’s just a boat, some water, and a really fast way to get to the airport.
What Actually Is The Farm Anderson Ferry?
People get a little confused about the terminology. Sometimes they’re looking for the event venue nearby, or they’re talking about the historic farmstead that once bordered the ferry landing on the Ohio side. Primarily, when we talk about The Farm Anderson Ferry, we are talking about the intersection of historic land use and one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the region.
The ferry isn't just a novelty for tourists. Honestly, for locals in Delhi or Hebron, it’s a lifeline. If you’re trying to get from the West Side of Cincinnati to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), taking the ferry can save you twenty minutes of white-knuckled highway driving.
The ferry operation currently uses three boats: the Deborah A, the Boone No. 7, and the Boone No. 8. These aren't luxury cruise liners. They’re workhorses. They’re flat-bottomed barges that can hold about 15 cars at a time. You drive on, you sit in your car for about five minutes while the river breeze hits your face, you pay your fare, and you drive off on the other side. It’s incredibly simple.
The Reality of the "Shortcut"
Is it always faster? No. Let's be real.
If you pull up and the boat just left, you’re waiting. If there’s heavy debris in the river or if the water level is screaming high, they shut down. Safety first, obviously. But on a standard Tuesday morning when the Brent Spence Bridge is a parking lot? The ferry is a godsend.
The "Farm" aspect of the area refers to the deep agricultural roots of the Anderson family and the surrounding community. Back in the day, this was how farmers got their produce to the markets in Cincinnati. You’d have wagons full of crops lining up where the SUVs sit today. While the massive acreage of the original farms has been carved up into residential lots and industrial pockets over the last two centuries, that "river town" feel still sticks to the place. It feels older than the rest of the city because, well, it is.
The History Most People Skip Over
The ferry was started by George Anderson. It’s stayed in the family or close associates for over two hundred years. That’s a level of longevity that is almost unheard of in American business.
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- 1817: Operations begin with a simple pole-boat or horse-powered ferry.
- 1860s: During the Civil War, the ferry was a strategic point for moving goods and potentially people across the border between a Union state and a "neutral" but slave-holding state.
- 1940s: The ferry becomes a staple for workers heading to the emerging industrial plants along the river.
- Today: It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It’s survived floods that submerged the entire landing. It survived the Great Depression. It survived the construction of massive interstate bridges that were supposed to make ferries obsolete. There’s a stubbornness to the Anderson Ferry that is very "Cincinnati." We like our traditions, and we like things that work.
Life on the River: What to Expect
If you’ve never done it, the first time feels kinda sketchy. You’re driving down a steep concrete ramp directly into the Ohio River. There’s no big gate, just a guy in a neon vest waving you forward. You park inches away from the car in front of you.
The boat vibrates. The diesel engine rumbles under your floorboards. But then, the ramp lifts, and you’re floating.
The view is actually pretty stellar. You get a perspective of the river valley that you just can't get from a bridge. You see the barges pushing coal and gravel, the blue herons fishing on the banks, and the way the hills of Kentucky roll down into the water. It’s a five-minute mental reset. You pay a few bucks (keep cash on you, though they've modernized a bit, it’s just easier), and you’re back on the road.
The Logistics: Fares and Times
Don't show up at midnight expecting a ride. They generally run from early morning—around 6:00 AM—until about 8:00 PM on weekdays, with slightly different hours on the weekends.
The price for a passenger car is usually around $5 to $10 depending on whether you’re doing a one-way or a round trip. If you’re a regular, you buy the commuter books. It’s cheaper. They also take motorcycles, bikes, and even pedestrians. I’ve seen people park their car on the Kentucky side, walk onto the ferry, and just ride it back and forth for the hell of it because it’s the cheapest boat ride in the city.
One thing people get wrong is thinking they can take a massive semi-truck or a giant RV on here. The weight limits are real. The Boone boats are sturdy, but they aren't miracle workers. If you're hauling a massive trailer, check their height and weight clearances before you drive all the way down to the landing.
Why the "Farm" Context Matters
The Anderson Ferry isn't just a transit point; it's a geographic marker. On the Ohio side, the area around Anderson Ferry Road is a mix of steep hillsides and river flats. Historically, these flats were prime silt-rich soil. The "Farm" was the engine of the local economy long before the Cincinnati suburbs crawled out that far.
Today, that agricultural heritage is mostly gone, replaced by the "The Farm" reception hall—a well-known spot for weddings and beef-and-beer fundraisers. If you're told to go to "The Farm at Anderson Ferry," you're likely headed to a party, not to milk a cow. But the name keeps the history alive. It reminds people that this wasn't always just a suburban cut-through.
Debunking the Myths
I hear a lot of weird rumors about the ferry.
- "It’s dangerous." Look, the Ohio River has a current, sure. But these captains are licensed by the Coast Guard. They do this hundreds of times a day. You're more likely to get in a fender-bender on I-275 than you are to have an issue on the ferry.
- "It’s only for tourists." Totally false. Visit at 7:30 AM and you’ll see nothing but commuters in work shirts drinking coffee.
- "It’s going out of business." People have been saying this since the 1970s. As long as the bridges are congested and the airport is busy, the ferry isn't going anywhere.
The Future of the Ferry
What happens next? There’s always talk about new bridges or "modernizing" the riverfront. But the Anderson Ferry is protected by its status on the National Register. More importantly, it’s protected by its utility.
The current owners understand that the charm is part of the brand, but the efficiency is why people pay. We might see electric-powered ferries in the future as tech gets cheaper, but the fundamental act of floating a car across 1,000 feet of water isn't going to change much.
How to Use the Ferry Like a Local
If you want to actually use The Farm Anderson Ferry area effectively, follow these rules:
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- Check the River Stage: If the Ohio River is flooding, the ferry is closed. Check their social media or a river gauge app before you head out.
- Have Cash Ready: Yes, they might take cards or apps now, but signal is spotty at the bottom of the river bank. Cash is king and keeps the line moving.
- Turn Off Your Engine: Don't be that person idling your stinky exhaust into the window of the car behind you. Once you’re parked on the boat, kill the engine and enjoy the silence.
- Watch the Ramp: The transition from the boat to the concrete ramp can be jarring. If you have a low-clearance car, take it at an angle.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just read about it. The next time you have to go to CVG airport from the west side of Cincinnati, skip the highway.
- Plan your route: Input "Anderson Ferry" into your GPS instead of the airport.
- Timing: Aim to arrive at the landing 10 minutes before you need to be across.
- Support Local: Grab a coffee at a shop in Delhi before you head down.
- Photography: Keep your camera ready. The industrial backdrop of the river mixed with the historic boat makes for some of the best photos in the Tri-State area.
The Anderson Ferry is more than just a boat. It’s a 200-year-old middle finger to the frantic pace of modern life. It proves that sometimes the oldest way of doing things is still the best way. Whether you call it the farm, the ferry, or just "the boat," it's a piece of living history that actually serves a purpose. Stop sitting in traffic and go get on the water.