By Jay Kuntz
At Noon Thursday, May 21st The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry is celebrating 40 years of support from Cummins at the Stow Landing Pavilion. The Ferry Board of Directors will pay tribute and recognize their generous donation of a new engine to power this unique vessel. We look forward to Cummins powering The Ferry into the future.
Some thought the opening of the I-86 bridge in 1982 would mean the end of The Ferry. However, a dedicated group of volunteers wouldn’t let that happen. In 2025 20,000 riders took the brief journey across Chautauqua Lake.
On May 21st, The Ferry begins her 215th season by recognizing the contributions of those that have not let history slip away. Donations The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry receives from our riders and support from companies like Cummins keep us going back and forth across The Narrows.
As the first order of business of the newly establish Chautauqua County government, in 1811 Thomas Bemus was granted a license to operate a ferry in The Narrows of Chautauqua Lake. Since that time, The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry has connected communities on either side of the lake. Today, a ride on The Ferry still connects you to the east and west shores of the lake. However, it also connects you with history and memories. She is an icon of the region.