Hatton Grange in Scottsville in Albemarle County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Hatton Ferry

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

1. Hatton Ferry Marker

Inscription. James A. Brown began operating a store and ferry at this site on rented property in the late 1870’s. In 1881 he bought the land from S. P. Gantt at which time the store became a stop on the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad. Two years later, Brown was authorized to open a post office in his store, which was named Hatton for the young federal postal officer who signed the authorizing documents. The ferry is one of only two poled ferries still functioning in the continental United States.

Erected 1987 by Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. (Marker Number GA-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 37° 45.564′ N, 78° 30.781′ W. Marker is in Scottsville, Virginia, in Albemarle County. It is in Hatton Grange. It is on Hatton Ferry Road 0.2 miles south of Hatton Ferry Lane, on the left when traveling south. The marker is actually at the intersection of an unnamed road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scottsville VA 24590, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: A different marker also named Hatton Ferry (about 400 feet away); Wilson Cary Nicholas (approx. 2.6 miles away); Hurricane Camille (approx. 2.9 miles away); Historic Scottsville (approx. 2.9 miles away); Scottsville (approx. 2.9 miles away); Barclay House and Scottsville Museum (approx. 2.9 miles away); Scottsville Confederate Cemetery (approx. 3.1 miles away); a different marker also named Hatton Ferry (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scottsville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Ferries In Virginia/TheHatton Ferry/Heritage (was about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Regarding Hatton Ferry. The Hatton Ferry operates, river levels permitting, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., April 15 through October 15. It is a free ferry. Contact: (434) 296-1492.

Also see . . .
1. Hatton Ferry. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on November 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Historical society votes to close Hatton Ferry. Scottsville Monthly website entry:
On January 14th, 2025, the Board of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society voted to decommission the Hatton Ferry. (Submitted on November 28, 2025, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

View Hatton Ferry Marker with the old store in the background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

2. View Hatton Ferry Marker with the old store in the background.

Additional commentary.
1. S.P. Gantt
S.P. Gantt was Sarah Perkins Gantt, the widow of John Weems Gantt. Together with their sons they had owned much of the land west of Scottsville along the James River as far as Howardsville.

— Submitted March 20, 2020, by Leroy A Keller, Jr of Glen Allen, Virginia.

The Hatton Ferry today image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

3. The Hatton Ferry today

Replica of the Ferry Operator's House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

4. Replica of the Ferry Operator's House

Today the ferry operator waits here for customers.

Poling the Hatton Ferry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

5. Poling the Hatton Ferry

The operator by manipulating a cable uses the current to propel the ferry, but at times must resort to using a pole to push it along.

Approach to the Hatton Ferry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

6. Approach to the Hatton Ferry

This is the approach to the ferry on the south side of the James River.

Sign on board the Hatton Ferry image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, August 29, 2008

7. Sign on board the Hatton Ferry

Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,285 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 23, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.