Cape Vincent buys US dock from Horne Family

Mayor hopes the ferry service between Cape Vincent and Port Alexandria will one day return.

One piece of the Horne ferry service is about to change hands.

The Village of Cape Vincent, New York agreed in July to purchase the dock on the American side for $225,000 US.

Mayor Jerry Golden explains the reason why the village bought the dock from the Horne family.

The ferry service operated between Cape Vincent and Port Alexandria on Wolfe Island since 1802. It ceased operations in 2024 after George Horne passed away.

He and his brother Bruce had operated the ferry service for the family. Bruce Horne retired a few years ago and the rest of the family expressed no interest in taking over the service.

The sale of the Cape Vincent dock was handled by a real estate agent from there. Bob Joy and James Ward of Royal LePage in Kingston are looking after the sale of the Port Alexandria dock which is still looking for a new owner.

The Port Alexandria dock was initially listed at $450,000 CDN. The price tag on the ferry has not been disclosed.

Golden says it would make sense for a Canadian to purchase the Port Alexandria dock as well as the ferry.

Selling the docks along with the vessel is one thing, being able to continue operating it as a border crossing is another given the current political climate.

But Golden says another reason that the village purchased the Cape Vincent dock is the expectation that the ferry service would some day resume operations.

The sale of the Cape Vincent dock is expected to close sometime next week.

Story by Ken Hashizume