Ironton Ferry
Two miles beyond Castle Farms, the Ironton Ferry across the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix has long been an integral part of the Charlevoix experience. Around 1878 this 18’ x 24’ cable-guided scow was built, capable of carrying one wagon and a team of horses. A hand-powered windlass operated by the captain, assisted by his passengers, held a half-inch cable that guided the craft. Here the vessel has been pulled ashore for the winter. In 1886, Charlevoix County bought the ferry and operated it toll free until 1949
The ferries grew larger over the years. Once it was known as the Evelyn, from the name of the township that surrounds the town of Ironton.
By 1922, regulations required the Ironton ferry to carry a lifeboat. Which it did . . . sort of. Instead of suspending the additional baggage on davits, the ferry dragged it alongside.
The Ironton ferry reached its largest incarnation in this one, still in use, built in 1926. The Ripley reference refers to the worldwide fame it gained in 1936 (next).
Sam Alexander worked on the Ironton ferry from 1890 to 1941. On December 5, 1936 in newspapers in forty countries, readers learned through Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” about the man who had traveled 15,000 miles while never being further than 1,000 feet from his own home. By the time he retired, it was estimated that Sam Alexander had traveled the distance around the globe. The item caught the attention of Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll who portrayed the popular “Amos ‘n Andy” characters on radio. The men made a special trip to Ironton just to meet Sam and ride the ferry