The Oxford Bellevue Ferry will launch its 343rd year of operation on Saturday, April 5, when it opens for the 2025 season.
Oxford Bellevue Ferry Opens
The Oxford Bellevue Ferry will launch its 343rd year of operation at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, when it opens for the 2025 season.
The day marks a milestone for the ferry, as it will be operating under new ownership. Previous owners, Captains Judy and Tom Bixler have retired after 23 years.
“The ferry is a part of the very fabric of our lives, and we want the next owners to feel that way too,” says Capt. Judy. “It’s important to us that the proud heritage of the Oxford Bellevue Ferry continues.”
History of the Oxford Bellevue Ferry
In its 343-year history, the ferry has only changed hands a few times. “Our tenure was only a chapter in the history of the Oxford Bellevue Ferry, and we feel blessed to have been the keeper of this special piece of American history all these years,” Capt. Judy continues.
Of course, the ferryboat itself is not 343 years old. When the ferry route first connected Oxford and Bellevue in 1683, the boat was outfitted with sails and propelled by human scullers. Next came a wooden scow, towed by a coal-fired steam tug. Eventually a larger scow was pushed by a gasoline-powered tug.
The first self-propelled ferryboat was built in Oxford in 1931. Modernization continued as a wooden six-car ferry was brought to the area in 1974. Today’s ferry was built in 1980 and is named Talbot. It measures 65 feet in length and will hold about nine full-size cars. The record is 18 Mini Coopers, loaded for a photo op in 2007.
A few years ago, Talbot was completely renovated, with sandblasting and repainting from stem to stern. “The current ferry is built of steel,” says Capt. Tom. “She has two engines, one on either end. This keeps us from having to turn the boat around every time we cross the Tred Avon River.”
The Oxford Bellevue Ferry – A Crown Jewel of Talbot County
The ferry provides transportation service for vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles, and passengers between the incorporated town of Oxford and the historic working watermen’s community of Bellevue. It offers both an entrance into Oxford by water when coming from Bellevue, and it’s a shortcut for those headed to St. Michaels and Tilghman Island.
These days, the beloved ferry is as much a tourist attraction as it is a form of transportation. It is strategically positioned on the Chesapeake County All-American Road, a national scenic byway, and is on a bike route that has been named one of the top in the country.
“The ferry is certainly an asset for us,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of economic development and tourism for Talbot County. “No visit to Talbot County is complete without a visit to Oxford and ride on the ferry. Riding the ferry is a cherished right of passage for locals and visitors alike.”
Capt. Judy is no stranger to tourism. She serves as chairman of both Maryland’s Tourism Development Board and Talbot County’s Tourism Board. She says the ferry is often referred to as the “Icon of Talbot County,” and that’s an image she and her husband have worked hard to preserve.
“People often ask us if we get bored going back and forth across the river, but no two trips are ever the same,” Capt. Judy explains. “Things are always changing. The wildlife we encounter, the watermen’s boats we dance with, the passengers we welcome aboard vary with each trip —it’s never boring.”
“We do not plan to leave the area, and we will be here to assist in a smooth transition,” Capt. Judy stresses. “Until then, we will carry on, and we invite you to join us to create your very own ‘Ferry Tale’ in Oxford.”
Blessing of the Oxford Bellevue Ferry
In a time-honored tradition, Rev. Kevin Cross will bless the ferry on Friday, April 4, at 6 p.m. at the Oxford Ferry Dock.
The ferry will operate on Saturdays and Sundays through April 27, and then switch over to daily service through October. It will then operate the first two weekends in November before closing for the winter. It shuttles back and forth across the Tred Avon River daily, beginning at 9 a.m. and makes its last trip before sunset. For more information, visit OxfordFerry.com.
