Grafton Ferry Purchase Agreement Is Official

GRAFTON — The City of Grafton finalized the purchase of the Grafton Ferry from the Calhoun Ferry Company (CFC) on Wednesday, January 20, 2026, following unanimous City Council approval the previous day.

Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow met with ferry owners Denise Knight and Vincent Baalman to complete the transaction, marking a significant step toward establishing full-time, year-round ferry service between Grafton, Illinois, and St. Charles, Missouri.

The signing ceremony took place in Grafton with George Andres, chairman of the Grafton Ferry Commission, also in attendance. Andres, who prepared the successful Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) grant application, continues to play a key role in securing funding for the development of a new electric-diesel ferry boat. The final grant documents between IDOT and the City of Grafton are expected to be signed soon, enabling the planned launch of full-time ferry service on April 10, 2026.

Denise Knight, whose family will continue to operate and maintain the ferry under the new public ownership, emphasized the importance of the city’s acquisition. “Full-time service has long been needed and the city purchase of the ferry, making it a public entity, opened the door to government funding. As a family business, we couldn’t accomplish that,” she said.

The Baalman family has a longstanding history in the ferry business. Vincent Baalman and his brother, Stephen Baalman, who founded the Apple Shed Restaurant in Batchtown, Illinois, originally purchased the Winfield Ferry in 1973 to provide access for their St. Louis patrons. Eventually, they sold the restaurant to focus on ferry operations. In 1997, local business owners collaborated to acquire the Golden Eagle Ferry, which the Baalmans now operate alongside the Grafton Ferry. Denise Knight noted, “The two ferries are our family business. We care about all the people we serve and are pleased to move forward in this new way.”

Mayor Morrow highlighted the regional benefits of expanding ferry service. “This expansion of service will be extremely beneficial to the whole region in terms of tourism and commuter support between Illinois and Missouri,” he said. The ferry will operate seven days a week, with hours from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

The city plans to set one-way trip prices at $10, with weekly commuter passes offering 10 trips for $70, providing a 30% discount for frequent riders.

The transition to public ownership and expanded service aims to enhance connectivity and support economic activity across the Mississippi River corridor.

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