Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande

Los Ebanos Ferry

At certain places on the Sabine River, I try to keep an eye out for evidence of the ferries that once allowed people (and wagons and livestock) to cross the river before bridges became an option.

If the water in the Sabine wasn’t so brown and murky, you could probably locate some of the old ferries decaying on the riverbed, where they sank after being abandoned in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. I heard about them from my friend and collaborator Jacob Botter, whose ancestors operated a ferry at the end of what is now Waldons Ferry Road, a dirt trail in rural Harrison County. His great-great-great-great-grandpa (give or take a great or two) ran a rope from one side of the river to the other and used the rope to pull himself across whenever a paying customer wanted passage.

I’m not sure when that ferry ceased to exist, but Gaines Ferry, the last ferry on the Sabine River, operated until 1937. It transported travelers along the old Camino Real, where Texas Highway 21 meets Louisiana Highway 6. The ferry was replaced by a bridge, which was inundated by the creation of Toledo Bend Reservoir a little more than half a century ago.

I was reminded of the Sabine River ferries when my friend Sean Kimmons shared photos from his recent crossing of the Rio Grande. Sean and his parents loaded their car onto a ferry in Los Ebanos, Texas, and were pulled across the river by a team of men tugging a rope stretched from one bank to the other.

11045840_10152737844064639_8285343147670787036_n
Photo by Sean Kimmons
988896_10152737843829639_2848637590997078739_n
Photo by Sean Kimmons
1505130_10152737843979639_4919310892235105657_n
Photo by Sean Kimmons

 

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the Los Ebanos Ferry is the only remaining hand-pulled ferry on the Texas-Mexico border.

The Los Ebanos Ferry is a popular tourist attraction since it is the only remaining hand-pulled ferry on the U.S.-Mexico border. It can accommodate only three cars and 12 pedestrians at one time.

The crossing is also known locally as Los Ebanos-San Miguel Camargo, Ferry Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and Ferry Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos.

Although the crossing has been in operation since the 1950s, the current ferry has been operating since 1979. It was recognized with a state historical marker in 1975.

And here’s a photo of a Sabine River ferry taken in 1916.

sabtnferry

 

Here’s a random video that shows how the Los Ebanos Ferry works.


3,920 responses to “Hand-pulled ferries across the Sabine and Rio Grande”

  1. I blog frequently and I genuinely thank you for your content. This article has really peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new details about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  2. Thanks for enabling me to acquire new thoughts about desktops. I also have the belief that certain of the best ways to maintain your mobile computer in primary condition is by using a hard plastic case, or shell, that suits over the top of one’s computer. These kinds of protective gear are model distinct since they are made to fit perfectly in the natural housing. You can buy all of them directly from the vendor, or from third party places if they are intended for your mobile computer, however its not all laptop can have a shell on the market. Yet again, thanks for your suggestions.

  3. Thanks for your article. It is very unfortunate that over the last 10 years, the travel industry has had to tackle terrorism, SARS, tsunamis, flu virus, swine flu, and also the first ever true global economic downturn. Through it all the industry has really proven to be effective, resilient and also dynamic, obtaining new solutions to deal with adversity. There are always fresh problems and opportunity to which the business must yet again adapt and respond.

  4. In this grand design of things you actually get a B+ with regard to effort and hard work. Where you actually lost me personally ended up being in all the details. You know, as the maxim goes, the devil is in the details… And it couldn’t be much more accurate in this article. Having said that, let me tell you what exactly did deliver the results. The authoring can be very persuasive which is possibly the reason why I am taking an effort in order to comment. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Second, although I can certainly notice the leaps in logic you make, I am not certain of exactly how you seem to connect your ideas which in turn help to make your conclusion. For the moment I will yield to your issue but trust in the near future you actually link the facts much better.

  5. Thanks a lot for the helpful article. It is also my opinion that mesothelioma has an really long latency phase, which means that symptoms of the disease may well not emerge till 30 to 50 years after the primary exposure to asbestos fiber. Pleural mesothelioma, that is the most common style and impacts the area across the lungs, could cause shortness of breath, breasts pains, and also a persistent coughing, which may cause coughing up our blood.

  6. I am now not positive the place you are getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thank you for wonderful info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  7. Based on my study, after a property foreclosure home is marketed at an auction, it is common for the borrower to be able to still have some sort ofthat remaining unpaid debt on the loan. There are many loan merchants who aim to have all expenses and liens repaid by the subsequent buyer. Even so, depending on certain programs, regulations, and state legal guidelines there may be many loans that are not easily handled through the shift of financial products. Therefore, the obligation still rests on the consumer that has got his or her property in foreclosure process. Many thanks sharing your thinking on this web site.

  8. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I’ll certainly be back.

  9. According to my study, after a foreclosures home is offered at a sale, it is common for any borrower to still have the remaining unpaid debt on the mortgage. There are many lenders who try to have all rates and liens repaid by the next buyer. Nonetheless, depending on a number of programs, legislation, and state legislation there may be several loans which are not easily settled through the shift of financial loans. Therefore, the duty still falls on the customer that has received his or her property in foreclosure process. Many thanks sharing your opinions on this blog site.

  10. Thanks for this article. I’d also like to say that it can always be hard if you are in school and just starting out to create a long credit rating. There are many college students who are only trying to pull through and have long or positive credit history can occasionally be a difficult point to have.

  11. I have noticed that car insurance companies know the autos which are prone to accidents along with other risks. In addition, they know what type of cars are given to higher risk plus the higher risk they’ve got the higher your premium amount. Understanding the very simple basics of car insurance just might help you choose the right style of insurance policy that will take care of your preferences in case you happen to be involved in an accident. Many thanks for sharing the actual ideas on your own blog.

  12. I?m impressed, I have to say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that?s both educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you may have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I’m very joyful that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for one thing regarding this.

  13. Thanks for giving your ideas in this article. The other matter is that any time a problem occurs with a computer motherboard, folks should not take the risk connected with repairing the item themselves for if it is not done correctly it can lead to permanent damage to the complete laptop. Most commonly it is safe just to approach a dealer of the laptop for any repair of its motherboard. They’ve got technicians who have an skills in dealing with mobile computer motherboard challenges and can have the right prognosis and execute repairs.

  14. Thanks for your posting. What I want to comment on is that while looking for a good on the net electronics shop, look for a internet site with comprehensive information on critical factors such as the level of privacy statement, safety measures details, payment guidelines, and various terms in addition to policies. Generally take time to see the help in addition to FAQ segments to get a superior idea of what sort of shop functions, what they can do for you, and ways in which you can make use of the features.

  15. Coming from my notice, shopping for electronic products online may be easily expensive, nonetheless there are some tips and tricks that you can use to obtain the best products. There are always ways to discover discount specials that could help to make one to hold the best consumer electronics products at the smallest prices. Interesting blog post.

  16. After looking at a number of the blog articles on your site, I seriously appreciate your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Take a look at my web site as well and let me know how you feel.

  17. Yet another thing I would like to convey is that in lieu of trying to match all your online degree tutorials on days and nights that you finish off work (since the majority of people are exhausted when they get home), try to get most of your classes on the weekends and only a few courses on weekdays, even if it means taking some time off your end of the week. This is beneficial because on the saturdays and sundays, you will be more rested and also concentrated upon school work. Thanks for the different guidelines I have learned from your weblog.

  18. One thing is that if you are searching for a education loan you may find that you’ll want a cosigner. There are many cases where this is correct because you may find that you do not have a past credit score so the financial institution will require you have someone cosign the credit for you. Good post.

  19. I have realized that over the course of creating a relationship with real estate owners, you’ll be able to get them to understand that, in most real estate contract, a percentage is paid. In the long run, FSBO sellers never “save” the commission rate. Rather, they struggle to win the commission simply by doing the agent’s job. In completing this task, they devote their money as well as time to accomplish, as best they might, the duties of an broker. Those duties include exposing the home by marketing, offering the home to willing buyers, constructing a sense of buyer urgency in order to prompt an offer, scheduling home inspections, taking on qualification checks with the financial institution, supervising fixes, and assisting the closing.

  20. One thing is always that one of the most popular incentives for using your credit cards is a cash-back or even rebate offer. Generally, you will get 1-5 back on various acquisitions. Depending on the credit card, you may get 1 back on most acquisitions, and 5 again on expenditures made from convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores as well as ‘member merchants’.

  21. Thanks for these tips. One thing I also believe is always that credit cards giving a 0 monthly interest often entice consumers together with zero rate of interest, instant endorsement and easy on-line balance transfers, but beware of the top factor that may void that 0 easy streets annual percentage rate plus throw one out into the poor house rapidly.

  22. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something regarding this.

  23. I was just seeking this info for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that do not rank this kind of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

  24. Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

  25. Together with almost everything that appears to be developing within this specific subject matter, your viewpoints happen to be fairly radical. Even so, I appologize, but I can not subscribe to your entire idea, all be it exhilarating none the less. It would seem to everybody that your commentary are generally not totally rationalized and in actuality you are generally yourself not entirely convinced of the assertion. In any event I did enjoy examining it.

  26. I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I’m hoping the same high-grade web site post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.

  27. Magnificent items from you, man. I have be aware your stuff prior to and you’re simply extremely great. I actually like what you have bought here, certainly like what you are stating and the way during which you are saying it. You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to learn far more from you. That is really a great site.

  28. Thanks for giving your ideas on this blog. Likewise, a fairy tale regarding the financial institutions intentions whenever talking about property foreclosure is that the standard bank will not take my payments. There is a fair bit of time that the bank can take payments occasionally. If you are way too deep within the hole, they should commonly call that you pay that payment completely. However, that doesn’t mean that they will not take any sort of installments at all. In case you and the financial institution can have the ability to work anything out, your foreclosure practice may halt. However, if you ever continue to pass up payments under the new system, the foreclosure process can pick up exactly where it left off.

  29. I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a great blog like this one nowadays..

  30. I have realized that of all kinds of insurance, medical health insurance is the most marked by controversy because of the conflict between the insurance company’s necessity to remain afloat and the buyer’s need to have insurance. Insurance companies’ commission rates on overall health plans are extremely low, therefore some businesses struggle to make money. Thanks for the tips you reveal through this site.

  31. Thanks for your strategies. One thing we’ve noticed is the fact banks and financial institutions know the spending behavior of consumers as well as understand that a lot of people max out and about their cards around the getaways. They correctly take advantage of this real fact and start flooding your current inbox in addition to snail-mail box by using hundreds of no-interest APR card offers immediately after the holiday season comes to an end. Knowing that for anyone who is like 98 of American general public, you’ll jump at the opportunity to consolidate credit debt and shift balances towards 0 apr interest rates credit cards.

  32. This is the perfect website for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You definitely put a brand new spin on a topic which has been written about for many years. Excellent stuff, just wonderful.

  33. The very heart of your writing whilst appearing agreeable in the beginning, did not work perfectly with me after some time. Someplace throughout the paragraphs you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a very short while. I however have a problem with your leaps in assumptions and one would do well to help fill in those gaps. When you can accomplish that, I would definitely be impressed.

  34. Having read this I believed it was really enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it.

  35. Hi, I think your web site may be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *