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B OONE COUNTY RECORDER

Your Community Recorder newspaper serving all of Boone County SUITS THAT ROCK A6 Corporate folks still rockin’ inside.

THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2013

1817

George Anderson buys the ferry from Raleigh Colston

1841

The property is transferred to Montague McClure

75¢

BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

1986

Current owner Paul Anderson and his wife, Debbie, purchase the ferry

Kinman resigns from school board By Melissa Stewart mstewart@nky.com

Paul Anderson, owner of the Anderson Ferry in Constance. THE COMMUNITY RECORDER/STEPHANIE SALMONS

ANDERSON FERRY

GETS HISTORICAL MARKER By Stephanie Salmons ssalmons@nky.com

CONSTANCE — The roads leading to the river community of Constance are narrow and wind through the hills of Boone County, but as they curve to the long-running Anderson Ferry, they seemingly lead back in time. For nearly 200 years, the Anderson Ferry has transported travelers across the Ohio River, from Constance to Cincinnati’s West Side. A dedication ceremony for a historical highway marker commemorating the ferry – and the 1937 flood’s effect in Constance – will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 23, near the entrance to the ferry, 4030 River Road (Ky. 8), Constance. Michael Rouse will be the master of ceremonies and Boone County musician Keith Howard will perform. According to the Boone County Public Library’s Chronicles of Boone County, Anderson Ferry is named for George Anderson, who bought it in 1817 from Raleigh Colston. The Andersons built a large stone house overlooking the ferry where the family resided and operated a tavern. The Anderson family owned the ferry operation until 1841, the site reads, when son Evan transferred the

“Transporting of people and merchandise was essential to the development of this region. The fact that the Anderson Ferry is the longest continuously operating ferry on the Ohio River is a testament to its historical significance.” BETSY CONRAD

Boone County Historical Society

property to Montague McClure. According to legend, the transfer was the result of a lost poker game. Current owner Paul Anderson, no relation to the original owner (at least that he knows), and his wife, Debbie, purchased the ferry in 1986. He said they’re excited about the historical marker. “It’s a significant recognition,” he said. “It’s kind of interesting and unique that the ferry business is still in operation.” Betsy Conrad, president of the Boone County Historical Society, said the ferry was in existence before there were bridges crossing the Ohio River. Therefore, she said, “transporting of people and merchandise was essential to the development of this region. The fact that the Anderson Ferry is the longest continuously

DEFEATING THE ODDS

ARBORETUM GOALS

Determination of homeless student impressed high school staff. A10

Nature center wants to build education and visitors center. A3

operating ferry on the Ohio River is a testament to its historical significance.” On this muggy June morning, the flow of cars on and off the ferry is steady. According to Anderson, the ferry averages between 400 and 500 cars a day. “The fact that the ferry has been here almost as long as the county’s been here, it’s pretty exciting and interesting,” he said. Traffic, in most states, travels by interstate highways and freeways, said Anderson. Taking the Anderson Ferry though, he said, “it’s kind of a throwback. People enjoy it. They’re pretty excited to see that something like this is still in operation.”

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Boone County School Board Member Steve Kinman announced that he would be submitting a letter of resignation to the commissioner of education. “My reasons for this are strictly personal,” he said at the June 3 board meeting. “It has nothing to do with the activities of myself or anyone on the board.” Kinman represents District 2 which includes Burlington and Longbranch elementary schools, Camp Ernst and Cooper middle schools, and Ryle and Cooper high schools. Kinman He went on to praise the board and Superintendent Randy Poe. “We’re fortunate to have Dr. Poe, he’s the best in the commonwealth,” he said. “I hear this from his peers across the state. I’m also proud to have been a board member. Our board has accomplished a lot. We have it good here in Boone County and I’m sad to leave, it’s just simply time.” Kinman said he’s served on the board for 12 1/2 years. Board Member Karen Byrd praised Kinman for his work on the board. “Your commitment has been steady and steadfast,” she told him at the meeting. “You’ve been direct and to the point. You’ve kept us grounded. People become board members for lots of reasons, you became one for the community. You will be sorely missed.” According to board attorney Gerry Dusing, Kentucky law states that Kinman must submit his resignation to the commissioner of education. Once the commissioner declares a vacancy, members of the community are able to submit letters of interest. The commissioner will then make an appointment.

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You’re invited to Recorder ‘Meet & Greet’ Community Recorder

The Boone County Recorder is hosting a community “Meet & Greet” at 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. today (June 20) at Central Park, Shelter No. 1, 9190 Camp Ernst Road, Union. The event will celebrate the launch of the newspaper’s new Facebook group, which drew 1,000 new members on its first day on May 29. The group has now topped 1,200 and has generated lively discussion about Boone County issues, history, story ideas and neighborhood news. We invite readers from throughout Boone County to stop by and meet our staff. There will be light refreshments as well as bluegrass music by Mike Hicks and Glenn Herald.

For the Postmaster

The Boone County Recorder 3635 O’Hara Rd. Erlanger, KY 41018

Published weekly every Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Florence, KY 41042 ISSN 201108 ● USPS 060-780 Postmaster: Send address change to The Boone County Recorder, 3635 O’Hara Rd., Erlanger, KY 41018 Annual subscription: Weekly Recorder In-County $18.02; All other in-state $23.32; Out-of-state $27.56; Kentucky sales tax included