2024-2018
2024
New Ownership JettyLight
2020
US Senate recognizes Oxford Bellevue Ferry as Small Business of the Week.
Judy Bixler recognized as an Influential Leader in the Year of the Woman.
2019
Judy Bixler elected Chairperson of Maryland’s Tourism Development Board.
Oxford Museum features an exhibit on Oxford Bellevue Ferry.
2018
Judy and Tom Bixler receive Talbot County’s Community Impact Award.
2024-2018
2014-2007
2014-2007
2014
Oxford Bellevue escorts tall ship El Galeon into the Port of Oxford.
2013
Winner of Oxford Museum’s Douglas Hanks, Jr. Preservation Award.
2012
Oxford Bellevue Ferry featured on the cover of the national magazine, American Profiles.
2008
Ferry celebrates 325 years with US Senator Ben Cardin raising a special 325th flag.
2011-2007
Captain Judy Bixler recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland and awarded Circle of Excellence status in 2011 with 3 wins!
2007-2004
2007-2004
2007
Great Ferry Boat Race – Oxford Bellevue Ferry vs. Paddlewheel boats from Suicide Bridge Restaurant. Event raises over $40,000 for charity.
2010-2006
Captain Judy Bixler recognized as a Top 100 Minority Business Enterprise Award recipient in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
2006
Full Moon Cruise in June raises funds for the historic John Wesley Church Restoration Project.
2005-2006
Oxford Ferry Landing Rebuilt
2004
Mini Cooper Event – How many minis can fit on our 9-car ferry? Eighteen!
2003-1980
2003-1980
2003
Bellevue Dock and Marina were rebuilt and dedicated. Later in 2003, Bellevue Landing was damaged by Hurricane Isabel but was rebuilt and reopened again.
2002
In January 2002, Tom and Judy Bixler purchased the line. The season opened with the Bixlers at the helm. Later in the year, they purchased a historic smokehouse and moved it to Oxford Landing to serve as an equipment storage shed.
2001
Judy and Tom Bixler were ready to sign paperwork to buy the ferry, set for 9/11, but were delayed by the historic terrorist attack on our nation
1987
Captain Gilbert Clark retired. Captains Dave and Valerie Bittner continued the service through 2001.
1980
The ferry Talbot was built of steel by Blount Shipyard in Warren, R.I., and was put into service in July. The Southside was used as a spare until 1987.
1975-1931
1975-1931
1975
Dave and Valerie Bittner joined Captain Clark in the family business. Valerie is Gib’s daughter.
1974
Captain Gilbert “Gib” Clark purchased the ferry and replaced the Tred Avon with the Southside from Shelter Island, NY.
1950
“Captain Bill” converted the Tred Avon to diesel power and extended the length from 50 to 56 feet in order to accommodate three cars.
1938
Captain William L. Benson took over and began a record run of more than 36 years.
1931
Captain Buck Richardson had the first self-propelled ferry, later named the Tred Avon, built in Oxford. Buck Richardson, one of Oxford’s most famous sailors, financed the building of a new boat to keep the ferry line alive. The gasoline-powered, self-propelled ferry was in service until 1974. It was a wooden structure, 50 feet long, and was constructed at the Oxford yard of Captain Al Sparklin. Captain Richardson’s two sons then ran the ferry for six more years.
1975-1931
1925-1760
1925
William S. Dawson was the reported owner/operator of the Vivian until 1931.
1912
The steam tug Fisher was replaced by the gasoline tug Vivian. The old tug needed replacing, and according to an old crewman, “she had a habit of sinking during the night, and a good many mornings we had to pump her out. A couple of times she went down to her gunnels, and when we got her up, we had to get the crabs and the hardheads out of her.”
1886
Sails and oars were replaced by a small coal-fired steam tug called the William H. Fisher. A small steam tug, with power generated by a coal fire, towed a wooden scow across the river. A signal system was devised, as only the tug was needed to transport passengers. The scow was towed when wagons, horses, or later automobiles needed to get across the river.
1836
The ferry was reestablished with Morris Orem Colston as keeper and is believed to have run continuously since then.
1760-1786
Owners unknown (research is currently underway).
1975-1931
1750s-
1750s
Elizabeth Skinner was the ferry keeper. Her original ferry was a scow propelled by sculling. The old method of sculling entailed the scow being propelled by a fourteen-foot sweep oar operated at the stern. It required strength and skill that few men possessed. It is reported that two Oxford residents, Al Haddaway and Wid Tull, were the last two men who could do it, so the tug was an enormous improvement when it finally came into use in 1886.
1740s
Anthony LeCompte, another innkeeper, ran the ferry for at least seven years.
1737
Catherine Bennett became the ferry keeper (it isn’t clear if she was William’s widow or daughter). She was the first to be paid in cash rather than tobacco.
1725
William Bennett, son of Judith by her first marriage.
Early 1700s
The most remarkable proprietor of this era was Judith Bennett. Judith had three husbands (Thomas Bennett, John Valliant, and Edward Elliott), each of whom kept the ferry during their marriage. However, she also ran the ferry herself for more than ten years “when between spouses.”
1699-1739
The service was restarted by innkeeper Thomas Bennett, his wife Judith, and their family.