Millersburg Ferry
Also known as: Kramer-Crow Ferry
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Why it's listed
Along the Susquehanna River, a ferry has linked the east bank at Millersburg with the west bank in Perry County since at least 1817. A man-made ferry wall, or dam, was built across the mile-wide river in 1873 so that heavier steam-powered boats could run in low water, and it is still present along with four natural river channels used at different water levels. The crossing carried coal, passengers, produce, building materials and vehicles to a Pennsylvania Railroad station at the base of Mahantango Mountain, opened by 1902. It also carried residents to the Maple Grove picnic park on the western shore. Because the ferry remained the only crossing over a long stretch of the river after bridges closed other ferries, it is regarded as an important example of local river transportation. Two wooden sternwheel boats, built after 1956, still operate during the season.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the ferry was an important local transportation link connecting coal, passengers and goods to the Pennsylvania Railroad, and that it was for a long period the only crossing over a long stretch of the river after other ferries closed to bridges. It is locally significant under Criterion A in the area of Transportation, with a period of significance of 1866-1956.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 06000663, listed August 2, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Susquehanna R. bet. Millersburg and Buffalo Township, Millersburg |
|---|---|
| County | Dauphin County |
| Listed | August 2, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000663 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1866-1956 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Two wooden ferry boats remain operational during the operating season; the ferry wall requires periodic rebuilding after flood and ice damage. |
| Acreage | 146 |
| Coordinates | 40.54429, -76.97323 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 06000663.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q1935502
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.