While chain ferries were popular in the past helping people and horses cross easy-flowing rivers, most of them were eventually upgraded to motor-driven cable ferries. Only in the city of Saugatuck, Michigan visitors have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be ferried by a hand-cranked chain ferry. This particular chain ferry is the last of its kind in the United States. Saugatuck’s Chain Ferry has been operational since 1857, although the present ferry “Diane” was constructed in the 1960s. Surprisingly beautiful with a pure white Victorian gingerbread trim, it’s also an inexpensive…
