C&O Carferries
Explore the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway’s legacy in Ludington
When the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway took over management of the Pere Marquette Railway in 1928, it inherited one of the most unusual rail-to-water operations in North America. By 1947, when C&O formally merged the Pere Marquette into its system, the Ludington car ferry operation had become a central pillar of its cross-lake strategy.
This exhibit traces the C&O era of Ludington’s car ferry history — the transition from a regional railroad to a major national carrier, the evolution of the fleet, and the operational changes that came with corporate consolidation. It’s an essential chapter in the story of how Ludington maintained its role as a Great Lakes shipping hub through the 20th century.
Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
| Address: | 217 S Lakeshore Dr |
| Phone: | (231) 843-4808 |
| Season: | May – October |
| Days of Operation: | Tuesday – Saturday |
| Hours of Opertaion: | 10am – 5pm |
| Admission: | $17 for adults |
