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History
A Proud Storied Past
Since it’s founding in 1826, Lake Champlain Transportation Company ferries have been navigating the waters of Lake Champlain.
At the end of the 19th Century the ferries provided important commercial transportation for goods and lumber. At that time Burlington was the country’s third largest lumber port. The ferries also offered a luxurious form of leisure travel.
Through the years, with the advent of railroads and then the automobile, the steam powered ferries nearly disappeared.
Today modern ferries are an integral part of the lake and they are a welcome sight for both commuters and visitors.
Two Centuries of Tradition
| 1826 |
October 26, 1826The Champlain Transportation Company Incorporated by Vermont State Legislature Luther Loomis President |
| 1827 |
Julius Hoyt, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1828 |
William A Griswold, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1833 |
February 22, 1833 Absorbed the Lake Champlain Steamboat Company |
| 1835 |
January 27, 1835 Purchased the Champlain Ferry Company |
| 1840 |
United States President Martin Van Buren travels on the steamboat Burlington |
| 1846 |
Henry H Ross, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1849 |
Several directors of the Champlain Transportation Company sell their holdings to investors headed by Daniel Drew and Nelson Robinson giving them control of the Company. Oscar Burton, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1852 |
September, Rutland and Burlington Railroad purchases all the steamboats and real estate from the Champlain Transportation Company. (Champlain Transportation Company retained its charter) |
| 1854 |
Autumn, Rutland and Burlington Railroad make arrangements to re-sell the steamboats and real estate back to the Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1860 |
Lemuel H Tupper, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1861 |
Civil War |
| 1864 |
LeGrand B Cannon, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1868 |
Champlain Transportation Company owns a controlling interest in The Lake George Steamboat Company |
| 1870 |
The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company purchases the Champlain Transportation Company From the Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail Road who held a controlling interest in the Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1872 |
Lake George Steamboat Company regains control and becomes independent. |
| 1888 |
The Chateaugay becomes the first steel hulled boat built on Lake Champlain. |
| 1895 |
James Roosevelt, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1899 |
The Delaware and Hudson Canal Company changes its name to The Delaware and Hudson Company |
| 1901 |
Horace G Young, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1903 |
David Willcox, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1903 |
Launch of the Steamboat Vermont (III) the largest boat ever to slide down the ways at Shelburne Shipyard. |
| 1906 |
The steamer Ticonderoga is launched at Shelburne Shipyard. |
| 1907 |
Leonor F Loree, President of Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1917 |
United States enters World War I |
| 1927 |
November 4, 1927 “The flood of 1927” Steamboat Chateaugay is pressed into service to carry refugees, mail and emergency supplies between Port Kent NY and Burlington VT. |
| 1929 |
October 29 “Black Tuesday” The great depression. |
| 1933 |
Champlain Transportation Company’s revenue plummeted in 1930, 1931, and 1932 resulting in the suspension of operations beginning January 25, 1933. However, general manager Daniel Loomis made arrangements to continue steamer service by leasing the Chateaugay for the Burlington to Port Kent run. |
| 1936 |
Delaware and Hudson Company again, takes over operations of the Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 1937 |
Champlain Transportation Company sold to Horace W Corbin |
| 1941 |
United States enters World War II |
| 1948 |
Horace W Corbin sells Champlain Transportation Company to Lewis P Evans, Richard Wadhams, and James Wolcott who formed a new corporation, the Lake Champlain Transportation Company. Lewis P Evans President |
| 1953 |
Steamer Ticonderoga is moved across land to her final resting spot at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. Bringing a close to steamboats on Lake Champlain. |
| 1976 |
Ray Pecor Jr. purchases Lake Champlain Transportation Company. Ray Pecor Jr President |
| 1976 |
Beginning of year-round operation at the Grand Isle crossing. |
| 1992 |
Henry Sorrell President of Lake Champlain Transportation Company |
| 1999 |
January 1 1999, Start of 24-hour service at the Grand Isle crossing. |
| 1999 |
Ray Pecor III joins his father in the ferry business. |
| 2000 |
Ray Pecor III becomes President of Lake Champlain Transportation Company. |
| 2003 |
Ray Pecor III purchase Lake Champlain Transportation Company from Ray Pecor Jr. |
| 2010 |
M/V Raymond C. Pecor Jr. was built to LCT’s specifications by Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, FL. The ferry is named after the previous owner of Lake Champlain Transportation, Ray Pecor Jr. The naming of the RCP Jr. was a surprise to Ray. He was flattered and very gracious when he learned the ferry was named after him. |