As early as the 9th century there was a link in place across the Main, as the monastery at Seligenstadt held the rights to ferry persons and goods to the Main's far side. For money or kind, these rights were passed on, out of which arose something called "Fährgerechtigkeit" (“ferry justice”). This "Fährgerechtigkeit" remained mostly for many years in one family's ownership and could be further bequeathed. When the monastery was dissolved in 1803, the "Fährgerechtigkeit" passed to the Grand Duchy of Hesse. In 1868, the town of Seligenstadt took over all rights and privileges for the Main crossing from the ferrymen of the time. The town then leased the ferrying rights to the highest bidder. Only after the Second World War did the town take the ferry over again.