Valley View, Kentucky

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Valley View is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Kentucky, about 14 miles northwest of Richmond. It sits at the junction of Kentucky Routes 169 and 1156, along KY-168 at the mouth of Tate’s Creek. The area is best known for the Valley View Ferry, the oldest continuously operating business in Kentucky.

The ferry began in 1784, started by John Craig under a license from the Virginia assembly, and for many years carried people across the Kentucky River. It once charged tolls, but the fee was removed to encourage more travelers. The ferry makes a quick three-minute crossing. In 1998 the ferry received renovations costing about $200,000 to keep it running.

Valley View grew significantly after the arrival of the railroad in 1888, bringing river transportation, hotels, churches, stores, a post office, and sawmills. The population rose from about 500 to over 1,000 by 1890, aided by the Southern Lumber Company’s electric light and telephone systems.

The lumber industry and railroad activity declined in the 1920s and fell further during the 1930s Depression era.

Today, Valley View is still linked to its ferry history. There have been efforts to place a Kentucky historical marker for the ferry. As of 2024, traffic delays occur when semis travel on Tate’s Creek Road to reach the ferry, despite signs and warnings. Drivers rely on GPS, and delays can last up to two hours, with ongoing riverfront development potentially making things worse.