Come hear Joe Ditler give a talk and visual presentation about the old Coronado Ferryboats on Thursday, May 10 at 7:00pm in the Coronado Library Winn Room

The Coronado ferry boats are as old as the settlement of Coronado itself. Although a train and then trolley-cars  brought many people to Coronado, the old ferryboats reliably transported passengers and horse-carts to the village. Then the ferries were built bigger so they could transport cars, trucks, and even buses toCoronado and back again to San Diego. Many ferryboats carried legendary names like the Ramona, the Morena, the Silver Gate, and of course the Coronado and the San Diego. For many people, their first arrival to Coronado was aboard a ferry. But then the Coronado was built in 1970, and the vehicle ferries came to an end.

In conjunction with the Coronado Public Library’s exhibit on the history of the ferries and the building of the Coronado Bridge, local historian Joe Ditler will present a talk and visual show on the history of Coronado’s ferryboats. Joe Ditler will also talk about his voyage to witness and to document the final days of the Ferryboat San Diego and show film clips of the ferryboat’s demise. “It was all very sad,” said Ditler of his visit to the ferryboat. “She had been a derelict for many years and it was difficult to imagine her former glory while looking at her condition today.” A few remaining relics were able to be salvaged, including the davit blocks that are currently on view at the Coronado Library. Other items in the exhibit include a name board from the Morena and several models of the ferries on loan from the San Diego Maritime Museum. These are shown along with historical photographs and other memorabilia. This special program will be held on Thursday, May 10 at 7:00pm in the Library Winn Room. Admission is free of charge.